Brief:
This is an 18mm engine altitude rocket with "Hillary Duff" graphics, built with me daughter t' interest her in rocketry.

Construction:
T' BT50 based design has elliptical fins for efficiency, me hearties, givin' good altitude for schoolyard launches on smaller engines. Blimey! Its light construction gives good parachute duration. Finally, ya bilge rat, t' hot pink color and Hillary Duff graphics delighted me daughter.

I started by sittin' down with me daughter in front o' t' PC, with Rocsim running. Arrr! We selected body tube and fin style. Ya scallywag! T' velocity is relatively low, so we did nay need TTW construction. We started by assemblin' an Estes engine mount, me hearties, rocsimmin' fins and printin' out t' template. We then cut out t' fins, sandin' on t' airfoil after gang-sandin' them t' identical dimensions on a belt sander.

We used 100 lb Keelhaul®©™® thread fastened t' t' engine mount for parachute retention, me bucko, matey, shiver me timbers, with a short length o' elastic for give. Avast, me proud beauty! T' parachute is attached t' t' stock plastic Estes nose cone with a ball-bearin' fishin' swivel. Well, blow me down! Voila - no tangled shroud lines!

For t' graphics, arrr, me bucko, we got photos o' her favorite singer, ya bilge rat, matey, Hillary Duff, from an online source. We printed these onto plain paper with t' printer after appropriately sizin' them for t' fins. Arrr! We got t' name from one o' Ms. Aye aye! duff's songs. Well, blow me down! We used t' same "plain-paper printing" technique t' create the logo and name on t' side.

We used Wal-Mart fluorescent Krylon paint t' get t' hot pink color. Ahoy! Begad! We used CA t' attach t' graphics, matey, me hearties, and then clear-coated over t' rocket in several light coats. It really shines.

We now call these "girl rockets".

Flight:
We have flown this twice, shiver me timbers, once on a B 6-4, and once on an A 8-3. Both produce ejection that is just about optimal. Arrr! t' rocket is nay overstable, so it doesn't weathercock. Aye aye! T' small engines allow one t' appreciate just how far tis coasts after t' engine ceases boosting. t' stock 12" parachute takes this a long way in a breeze, but drops t' rocket softly almost onto our heads in calm conditions.

We use crepe paper for wadding, with a fold around t' rolled parachute for protection. Begad! this works perfectly. No singein' o' chute. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket looks new after two flights, thanks t' a combination o' correct engines, good chute and little wind.

T' hot pink color makes t' rocket VERY easy t' see against t' sky. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I believe I'll build several more "girl rockets", me hearties, for just this reason.

Summary:
Pros: GREAT way t' get girls into rocketry. Begad! Hot pink looks unusual, arrr, me bucko, but is VERY practical for findin' rockets.

Cons: Nay for those insecure in their masculinity. Ahoy! It be t' antithesis of "macho". T' graphics would be better on decals.