Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with unusual deployment. Begad! 1/8" ID tubes conduit t' ejection charge from t' sealed main BT t' three pods on t' end o' 3" fins where thar be a 12" chute in each pod. T' nose cone does nay come off.(click picture t' enlarge)

Construction:
T' biggest problem with this model is buyin' t' 4" length, matey, me bucko, 1/8"id tubes t' build t' 'deployment' system. Well, blow me down! I ended up gettin' t' three 4" 1/8"ID tubes from Sigma Rockets in Canada. I have yet t' find another supplier as I plan t' kit up three more rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! T' BT-60, shiver me timbers, BT-50 tubes, t' BT-60 nose cone, matey, me bucko, BT-50 nose cones and shock cord are easy t' get.

I used paper centerin' rings reinforced with epoxy. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Paper centerin' rings are easy t' find. Avast! Blimey! One can order t' 'balsa ply' sheets directly from Mach 1 or Balsa Machinin' Services. Aye aye! Blimey! One can use RockSim, ya bilge rat, me bucko, describe t' fins and have them made by BMS along with t' centerin' rings. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' 'balsa ply' requires patience and care t' cut square.

T' most difficult construction step is slottin' t' tubes and cuttin' t' hole for t' ejection tubes. Begad! T' hole in both t' main BT and pod BT must be positioned such that t' tube rests flat on t' top o' t' fin, shiver me timbers, or you have t' fill in t' 'gap'. I numbered each slot and numbered each fin and fitted each one individually. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! One must make sure t' hole be t' correct size. Well, blow me down! Do nay make t' hole for t' ejection tube too large. Aye aye! T' pressure o' t' ejection charge will blow through any glue joint. Ya scallywag! I found out t' hard way.

I used 30 minute epoxy for t' entire model. Ya scallywag! This models weighs in at 10.5oz. Avast! A D12-3 is just right. Arrr! I found after construction and before addin' t' chutes t' model would roll when t' 36" BT was laid on a table and fins allowed t' hang over t' edge. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! This roll indicated t' me that t' rocket might have a precession durin' flight. Blimey! I added weight at t' bottom edge o' t' fins, like addin' weight t' tire, t' balance it. This is level 3+ kit due t' t' cuttin' o' slots and holes in t' body tubes.

Finishing:
This model finishes normally. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I painted it t' color o' a Hawaiian T-shirt. Aye aye! Aye aye! Blimey! In other words, arrr, lots o' loud colors.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I was only able t' get two flights. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' first flight be perfect. Ahoy! Blimey! With a D12-3, ya bilge rat, t' rocket is right at t' weight limit o' t' motor. Ahoy! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' rocket roars longer because it doesn't go very high. T' deployment saw all three chutes open and t' rocket came down gently t' t' ground.

On t' second flight thar was no deployment. Blimey! T' rocket lawn darted into t' ground, crimpin' badly at t' nose and t' motor mount. Examination showed that t' ejection charge had blown through t' BT at t' tube joint. Aye aye! T' ejection tubes were nay extended into t' BT enough as well as t' hole for ejection tube no bein' made a good fit. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I plan t' kit three more models and try different techniques o' sealin' t' ejection tubes and joints.

Recovery:
I used swivels on all three chutes and t' deployment was perfect. Avast! Blimey! No tangles and t' three chutes did nay tangle up with each other. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and bowlines t' tie t' ends.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
An unusual rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Definitely well designed, me bucko, if built properly. Begad! Blimey! Neat when it works. Begad! Blimey! Bad when it doesn't.

Plans are at Mach1 Website (now out o' business).

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5