(Contributed- by Dick Stafford - 06/15/03)

Brief:
This rocket was based on a free paper model kit from Delta 7 Studios. I converted it t' fly on MMX motors, ya bilge rat, matey, although t' model is large enough for up t' 18mm motors. Aye aye! O' course, t' larger motors may require additional reinforcement that wasn't required in me MMX version.

Modifications:
Once t' paper model was complete, matey, I proceeded with its conversion t' a flyin' model. Avast, me proud beauty! Since I wanted t' use it for MicroMaxx, I wanted t' keep t' added components t' a minimum. Begad! If you wanted t' use larger motors, me hearties, more effort would be in order.

T' motor mount is a piece o' 7mm (T-2+) tubin' from Totally Tubular, and two hand-cut card stock rings. Well, blow me down! Scrap card stock be rolled and used as a motor block. Avast, me proud beauty! I used a piece o' a BiC pen's ink tube for t' launch lugs. One is near t' center o' t' model and t' other is on t' side o' a fin. Aye aye! I attached these with Liquid Nails. Blimey! I had wanted a piece o' clear tubin' for t' nose cone shoulder t' keep t' base o' t' capsule visible but I didn't find any, ya bilge rat, so I used a piece o' an Estes 18mm motor spacer tube instead. Aye aye! I elected t' glue t' tower on, matey, and added a small dowel t' stiffen it.

I pondered a full recovery system - shock cord connectin' t' cone t' t' body, ya bilge rat, matey, me bucko, streamer, etc. Begad! However, I decided that this wasn't necessary for low flights on soft-grass. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' save me Keelhaul®©™, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I decided t' let t' body tumble and t' add a small streamer t' t' cone so I wouldn't lose it in t' grass. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' streamer is tied t' a short leader o' Keelhaul®©™that is epoxied t' t' inside o' t' shoulder.

T' CG o' t' model with a MMX-II installed is 6.75" from t' top o' t' escape tower (ignorin' t' tiny tip).

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• One sheet o' white cardstock
• 7mm tubin' ~ 1.5" long
• Hand-cut cardboard centerin' rings
• 1" piece o' an Estes engine spacer tube
• 1" o' 1/16" dowel
• Piece o' a BiC pen's ink tube
• 4" o' Keelhaul®©™ twine
• 12" section o' plastic markin' tape

T' parts and instructions each come in a .pdf file. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' model includes 19 parts, which you print on a single 8"x 11" sheet o' cardstock. Aye aye! T' photo-illustrated instructions are three pages long. Blimey! These are well detailed and are more than adequate for this relatively simple model.

Construction o' t' booster is straightforward. T' body consists o' two wraps that are formed into cylinders and connected together with a coupler. T' body is almost exactly BT-20 sized. Ya scallywag! T' fins are each cutout and folded over onto itself so both sides have a printed surfaces. Blimey! T' Mercury capsule, with eight parts, is a little more challenging, but is also easy t' construct. Blimey! Ahoy! T' final component be t' tower, which has four parts. Arrr! Well, arrr, blow me down! I built t' base paper model entirely with white glue.

I printed t' model on cardstock on me OfficeJet and gave it a clear coat for protection.

Flight:
I added small piece o' tape t' t' motor t' keep it in at ejection. You may notice that I didn't add an inside tube or protect t' cardstock from t' motor ejection. Begad! I packed some cellulose waddin' into t' tube, rolled t' streamer and gave it a try. Evidently, arrr, this waddin' and t' spacin' betwixt t' motor and t' body was enough t' protect t' card stock body.

I flew this three times so far. Ya scallywag! On t' first flight, I found that I needed t' lower lug. Begad! T' rocket arced over and ejected down range. Begad! I added t' lug and t' next two flights were picture perfect. For such a large model, I be surprised how high it went. Ahoy! Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' capsule was easy t' find and t' body tumbled without goin' 'ballistic'. My cheap recovery method be OK after all.

Summary:
This is a great looking, arrr, simple scale model that would be an excellent introduction t' paper model conversion. Begad! It flew great on MMX-II motors and should adaptable t' 13mm or even 18mm motors. Begad! If you look around t' Delta 7 Studios' site, arrr, you will find someone has in fact done so.