Brief:
This Goony version o' t' Fireball XL5 sci-fi model is based on t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit. This kit, ya bilge rat, which I buy at Michael's crafts with 50% off coupons, arrr, is now me favorite kit t' bash. Blimey!

Modifications:
T' modifications included replacin' t' stock fins, matey, replacin' t' stock recovery system, arrr, and modifyin' t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! T' motor mount is stock.

Construction:
Parts list:

• Estes SpaceShipOne kit
• 3/16" fin stock
• lead shot
• small eyebolt
• steel fishin' leader
• extra elastic chock cord

All o' t' fins were roughed-out on paper until they looked right. T' side fins were made from two pieces of 3/16" stock each. Well, blow me down! T' two pieces touch at their leadin' edge and are separated by a strip o' balsa in t' rear. T' leadin' edge was then sanded t' a smooth point. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' side fins were cut from 3/16" stock. T' small fins on the cone are t' small fin extensions from t' SS1 kit. Aye aye! T' kit provided two and I cut t' others from t' unused fin stock. T' balsa-plastic joints were attached with thick CA and wood glue be used on t' wood-wood joints.

I attached a steel fishin' leader t' t' top centerin' rin' and t' stock elastic cord t' that. Aye aye! I had planned to use two chutes due t' t' expected weight o' t' nose, me bucko, shiver me timbers, so a separate shock cord was provided for it. Well, blow me down! I knew I'd need a lot o' nose weight so I attached t' cord t' an eyebolt that is embedded in a slurry o' lead shot and Gorilla Glue. That way, ya bilge rat, t' weight is securely attached t' t' recovery system. Avast! Avast! O' course, t' nose weight be t' last step. Arrr! Aye aye! The bottom o' t' cone was removed t' allow access for t' nose weight installation and t' provide a tad more room for the 'chute if needed.

As I noted earlier, t' motor mount be t' stock 18mm. Well, blow me down! I be lucky t' have t' new RockSim 9 program with its PODS feature. Begad! Ya scallywag! This allowed me t' simulate t' actual design configuration. I set t' nose weight based on this simulation model.

With t' unloaded weight sittin' at about 5oz, ya bilge rat, t' sim indicated a long rod be need for a stable C6 flight. Blimey! Well, blow me down! So, early on, I decided t' go for a reload. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I got an 18mm Hobbyline case and a pack o' D13-10s from ValueRockets.com. Begad! Great prices and speedy service!

Finishing:
I did t' normal filling/sanding/primin' drill. Begad! T' base coat is a silver primer for t' X-Metals paint. I then used brush-on paints for t' red and yellow trim. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' circles are from t' SS1 'decal' set, matey, t' colored band was printed on my ink jet, shiver me timbers, and t' 'goony' letterin' is vinyl from Michael's craft store.

Flight:
T' D13 be easy t' assemble. Aye aye! Since I was at MDRA, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I was able t' drill t' delay usin' t' same method specified for the 29mm and larger motors. Arrr! I filled t' bottom o' t' body with dog barf, added several pieces o' wadding, matey, shiver me timbers, and then some more dog barf. I decided t' go with one 18" chute, shiver me timbers, which be attached t' both shock cords. Ya scallywag! Begad!

At t' 11th hour, matey, I realized that I'd used t' stock lug and decided this rocket was too heavy and unproven to fly with that. Avast! Blimey! I removed at lug and epoxied on a piece o' ¼" compatible launch lug material (e.g. Blimey! a tube from an AeroTech First Fire igniter).

I set each side fin on a stand-off and hooked up t' Copperhead. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket flew great with some spin, me bucko, me bucko, which was undoubtedly t' result o' some imperceptible misalignment o' one or more fins. Avast! After all, me bucko, I built it.

Ejection was just a tad late and t' rocket recovered damage-free.

Summary:
I love t' Fireball design and thin' t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit is a great subject for kitbashing. Well, blow me down! This model flew nicely and is a proud member o' me Fireball XL5 rocket family.