Brief:

Conversion o' Lansbergen Delta II t' fly on 18mm motors. Well, blow me down! T' particular Delta II that I chose t' model was Delta 7920-8 247, ya bilge rat, launcher o' t' solar observation satellite ACE. Ya scallywag! T' plans are available on t' Caltech web site.

Modifications:

T' model is a 10 page PDF file. Arrr! I printed t' 3 pages o' instructions on regular paper, me hearties, t' 3 sheets o' boosters be printed on 65lb cardstock, and t' remainin' pages were printed on 110lb cardstock. Well, blow me down! For t' main tubes, me bucko, I used full width tabs so t' body was double thickness. Avast, me proud beauty! It turned out that BT-50 body tube be perfect for t' couplers. Well, blow me down! I made an 18mm engine mount with CR2050P centerin' rings. Ahoy! T' rings were spaced t' exactly line up with t' booster mountin' holes. Avast! T' body sections were joined and t' motor mount be glued in. Arrr! Holes were drilled through t' booster mountin' holes and almost through t' centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! 18 dowels made from round toothpicks were cut t' 5/8" each and glued into t' booster mountin' holes. Begad! Aye aye! T' booster tubes were rolled double thickness and t' holes on t' booster were opened up. Arrr! I poked a pin through t' hole location and open them up with a round toothpick. Aye aye! T' booster tubes were glued onto t' dowels with t' dowel goin' all t' way t' t' opposite inside wall and glued there. Well, blow me down! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' booster nose cones and exhaust nozzles were rolled and attached. Boosters 4, 5, and 6 have a larger exhaust nozzle so take care when attachin' them. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! T' main nose cone was rolled and a nose cone shoulder be rolled from double thickness 110lb stock. I made t' shoulder 1" long so thar would be plenty o' room for nose weight. Avast! I used a standard paper shock cord mount on each end o' t' 36" shock cord. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! I used a 12" chute made from a plastic table cloth. Arrr! I didn't know where t' CG should be so I took an educated guess and balanced it just forward o' t' boosters. Begad! I then did a swin' test and it turned out that it was stable at that balance point. I put a C6-5 into t' mount and added enough clay t' t' nose t' brin' t' balance point back t' t' previously determined location. It took .7oz o' clay t' balance which brought t' all up weight t' 2.0 oz. Well, blow me down! A couple o' coats o' clear were sprayed on and it was done. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction:

T' followin' is a list o' materials that I used in t' construction.

Finishing:

Everythin' was pre-printed and only a couple coats o' clear were required.

Flight:

Based on t' weight, me hearties, me hearties, I determined that an A8-3, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, B6-4, or C6-5 would be appropriate. Begad! Arrr! T' day o' t' first launch be as ideal a day as one could ask for: sunny blue skies, arrr, temperature in t' 70's, matey, and almost a complete lack o' wind with occasional gusts t' 5mph or less. Ahoy! Aye aye! I chose a B6-4 for t' first flight. Arrr! Begad! T' motor mount has an engine hook so no tape was needed. Arrr! I used "dog barf" for wadding. Arrr! I be a little apprehensive because o' t' lack o' fins but t' flight was perfectly straight. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket was easy t' follow and ejection be just about at apogee.

Recovery:

T' recovery on t' 12" chute was slightly faster than I would have liked considerin' all t' boosters stickin' out. It was flown in a corn field and it happened t' hit a corn stalk upon landin' and knocked one o' t' boosters loose. T' damage was minor and be easily repaired. I didn't fix it until I got home so I could inspect all t' booster attachments. Begad! Avast! Blimey! T' rest were all solid. Aye aye! I think I will switch t' a 14" chute for t' next flight.

Summary:

I am really happy with t' end result. T' rocket was nay difficult t' build for anyone with a little cardstock modelin' experience. Avast! T' price was right (read: free), and when completed, you have a good representation o' a rocket that is nay often modeled.