Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Underdog Rocketry |
Style: | Odd-Roc |
Brief:
A simple t' build rocket that nay only looks cool, but it also supports a TARC
team as well.
Construction:
T' kit includes:
T' provided instructions were easy t' follow. Well, blow me down! Blimey! You start out by epoxyin' the motor tube into t' fin can. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! A hole was already drilled into t' fin can for the motor tube. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I used t' provided centerin' rin' t' ensure that t' tube was centered in t' fin can while t' glue was drying. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Once dry, me bucko, I poured in more epoxy t' a depth o' about 1/8" in t' bottom o' t' fin can t' provide more strength. I then used epoxy t' mount t' upper centerin' ring.
T' nose cone already had a bulkhead mounted with what appeared t' be Gorilla Glue (polyurethane glue). Aye aye! There was also a large screw eye mounted to the bulkhead and t' shock cord be already attached. Ya scallywag! I mounted t' free end of the shock cord t' t' inner wall o' t' body tube usin' tape and epoxy.
Now for t' fins. Blimey! T' fin can already had holes drilled in it for mounting the fins. Arrr! I believe t' idea be t' allow for epoxy rivets t' form in the holes. Begad! Begad! I sanded t' areas around t' holes and applied epoxy t' t' root edge of t' Lexan fins. I used an angle iron t' hold t' fin in place while drying.
Once all t' fins were mounted, matey, ya bilge rat, I be gettin' ready t' move t' rocket and I
accidentally dropped it onto a carpeted floor. Ya scallywag! Two o' t' fins immediately came
off along with t' dried epoxy. Begad! There be no glue residue on t' fin can
whatsoever. Avast, me proud beauty! This told me that t' epoxy just be nay stickin' well enough to
the plastic fin can. Aye aye! I remounted t' fins and then added fillets usin' West
systems 405 filletin' blend. This detracted from t' appearance somewhat, shiver me timbers, but
the rocket passed t' drop test.
I sent an email t' Underdog Rockets explainin' me experiences and apparently they were also seein' that t' epoxy rivets were just nay holding up. Blimey! On me second Crayon, I opted t' cut fin slots for TTW fin mounting. Underdog is also doin' t' same thin' on subsequent kits. It really is a better method and looks much better too!
I added some Kaplow clips t' t' fin can for positive motor retention. Begad! Blimey! I did have t' trim some plastic off t' nose cone shoulder so t' fit was not quite so tight. Last step was t' mount t' 30" parachute and she was ready for flying.
Finishing:
No finishin' is required.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
There were no motor recommendations other than t' use a short delay with any F
engines. Arrr! I added a Nomex®
chute protector due t' t' size o' t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Blimey! My first flight was with an
Aerotech F50-4T single use motor. Ahoy! Blimey! T' Crayon took off at a respectable speed
and got t' about 600 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! T' delay was just about perfect with ejection
occurrin' slightly after apogee. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' second flight be on a G104T-S and had a
straight, matey, fast boost t' about 800 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ejection again be a little after
apogee. Great flights!
Recovery:
T' 30" parachute was just t' right size t' brin' this rocket back down
to earth without damage. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Both flights had perfect recoveries and t' fins
stayed attached.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Crayon rockets are just fun and t' kids really love them. Underdog Rockets
went through a lot o' work t' put this kit together. Blimey! I would recommend that you
get one nay only because they are fun t' fly but also because it supports a
TARC team.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
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