Scratch Solar Warrior (24mm) Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Solar Warrior (24mm) {Scratch}

Contributed by Jewel B. Butler Jr.

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Jewel Barton Butler Jr. Begad! - 02/06/09) (MODS) Estes Warrior

Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with two outer tube-fins attached via pylons.There are two standard fins t' give it a Lear jet like look.I couldn't resist buildin' it. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! This is one o' Estes better designs. Ahoy! Begad!

Construction:
I decided t' go 24mm. Most o' t' parts are available through Semroc I started with a one BNC-55AO 5-inch elliptical nose cone, shiver me timbers, one 18-inch BT-55 body tube (I used a spare piece I had it be 17 inches long), two 3-inch long BT-55, two 55-50 centerin' rings, one 4.5-inch BT-50 (no engine block allows you t' use D or E engines), one 1oz round fishing weight, one #204 screw eye from Home Depot, 36 inches o' #400 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord, one 12-inch nylon parachute, shiver me timbers, matey, arrr, sheet o' 3/32-inch basswood (from Semroc or Hobby Lobby), and 24 inches o' 1/8 inch nylon cord.

First t' motor mount build. I used Probond wood glue. Then I marked t' body tube for four fins. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Next, I cut out my upper and lower fins since I be upscalin' I had t' kind o' add a little bit here and thar t' make it look OK. Avast, me proud beauty! I rounded all me leadin' edges. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Then I cut me pylons for me tube fins. Begad! Basically I just took a 1-inch wide piece of 3/32-inch basswood and cut a angle at both ends t' keep things simple. Ahoy! I attached t' upper and lower fins startin' at the tail end o' t' body tube. I attached t' pylons 2 inches from t' back o' t' body tube. Aye aye! Begad! Now it be time t' fix the nose cone and add nose weight. I just drilled out t' center o' t' weight for t' screw eye, shiver me timbers, which is about a 1/4 inch in diameter. Blimey! Next, I inserted t' screw eye through t' weight, me hearties, me hearties, put a little glue on it, and screwed into t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! Avast! I attached t' shock through t' body just above t' motor mount by usin' a X-Acto cutlass t' bore me a little hole large enough for t' cord then put a knot at t' end with a little glue t' attach nylon cord t' other end t' nose cone. For t' tube fins, me bucko, matey, I drew a line top t' bottom on both tubes, put a little glue on t' mark and t' pylon, me bucko, let it set for about 5 or 6 minutes, and then attach t' tubes, let them dry then fillet everything. Well, blow me down! I coated all me wood area with wood glue for strength followed by a great wood filler, me bucko, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, then sanded and painted.

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

Flight:
I test flew on a C11-3. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It was a great flight. Aye aye! Blimey! Next it flew on a D12-5 then a E9-6. Begad! Blimey! Again, me bucko, matey, they were both beautiful flights. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Also, me hearties, matey, arrr, I used maskin' tape t' secure t' motor on all three flights. It flew very straight.

Summary:
I like this rocket because it was so easy t' build, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, flies great, me hearties, and it has a cool look about it.

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