Brief:
This is for t' Box o' Parts contest Well, matey, this rocket for me has had multiple problems, hence t' “jinx” name. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Part o' t' issues was good old procrastination. Well, blow me down! But, ya bilge rat, excessive work schedules (a few weeks where I was averaging 70 hours a week), me hearties, me hearties, shiver me timbers, stuck tubes, ya bilge rat, a crashin' computer that lost me files, arrr, and crashin' rockets (more about that later) – but it finally flew successfully! T' parts arrived late March. Like a kid giddy at Christmas, I opened t' box, and be surprised by t' amount o' stuff!

Construction:
T' parts that I used are listed below:

• 1 – BT80 x 14 ¼” tube
• 1 – BT55 x 13 ½” tube
• 1 – BT50 x 18” tube
• 1 – BT50 x 3 ¼” tube
• 1 – BT20 x 18” tube
• 1 – BT20 x 3” tube
• 1 – BT19 x 3” tube
• 2 – BT5 x 9” tube
• 2 – BT5 x 7 ½” tube
• 1 – BT80 x 4” coupler
• 2 – BT55 x 3” couplers
• 1 – 80K balsa nose cone
• 1 – BT55 x 5 ½” plastic nose cone
• 2 – BT55 x 3” broken plastic nose cones
• 2 – BT20 x 2 ¾” nose cones
• 1 – BT20 x 1” fiber nose cone
• 3 – BT20 ~ BT50 adapters
• 1 – BT50 ~ BT60 adapter
• 1 – plastic cup
• 3 – measure/mix cups
• 2 –large plastic caps
• 5 – small plastic caps
• 1 – BT5 fin can
• 1 – dual display nozzle
• 2 – 12” parachutes
• Misc 1/8” balsa
• Misc 1/16” balsa
• 1 – fin
• 3 - snap swivels
• 2 – engine hooks
• 1/8” launch lug
• 7 – toothpicks
• ¼” dowel
• 2 large skewers
• 3 small skewers
• Paper
• Decals
• Holographic sheet
• Mailin' box

T' first thin' I did be t' weigh t' parts. My goal was t' use as much as possible. Ya scallywag! Based on t' weight, I decided that t' rocket would need a cluster o' 2 D engines t' fly. I also felt t' amount o' balsa wood was a bit skimpy (but as I actually got into t' build, it appeared that whenever I needed some wood, thar was still a piece available).

Durin' t' rest o' t' build, arrr, me bucko, me bucko, you will find me referrin' t' version 1.1 and version 1.2. Ahoy! Begad! What should be obvious, I first built version 1.1. Arrr! First flight was at NERFF 4 and t' rocket crashed, causin' some major damage. Begad! JINX! T' keep with only usin' what came in t' box, ya bilge rat, I repaired and updated t' design t' version 1.2. T' second launch also crashed. JINX! But at least nay as bad. Aye aye!

Durin' t' development, I made up various pieces and taped them together, givin' me some flexibility t' adapt the design. Well, blow me down! Below is a teaser o' t' taped up version. You will also see where I filled spirals usin' Elmer’s F&F.

I was tempted t' fly it, shiver me timbers, but I could nay figure out

1. Begad! Blimey! What t' speed o' maskin' tape was

2. How t' convince an RSO t' launch it

3. Begad! Blimey! How many pieces would it be in after a flight

For version 1.1, shiver me timbers, one o' me first steps was t' boil some corn (although clams or any other grub would work as well – or just plain water). Once t' water be boiling, I placed t' 1/16” strip o' balsa (it was 2” x 12”) across t' pan. Aye aye! Besides satisfyin' me hunger, I be also steamin' t' wood so I could bend it. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' corn was done first so I had t' keep steamin' t' balsa but I finally removed t' balsa and sandwiched them betwixt 2 o' my wife’s cake savers (one is 10” t' other is 12”). WARNING – that last step can get you into trouble!! I let this sit for a while (over a day) for t' balsa t' retain its shape

I decided on usin' t' BT80 as me main tube, with 3 pod tubes off o' this main. Avast! Begad! I wanted t' use t' couplers to hold these pods. Aye aye! Arrr! Take t' 3 couplers (1 BT80 and 2 BT55) and draw lines t' length o' t' coupler on opposite sides (180 degrees apart). Ahoy! For t' BT80, make a mark at 2” on one line and a mark at 1” on t' other. Aye aye! For t' BT55, make t' marks at 1” and ½”. Usin' stiff paper, ya bilge rat, connect t' marks on both sides. Ya scallywag! Usin' a sharp knife, cut along these lines.

Some other preparation work – take one o' t' 9” BT5 tubes. Begad! Aye aye! Make a mark 4.5” down from one end. Cut t' tube usin' this mark as t' center on an angle, ya bilge rat, ¼” above and below this position. Avast! Epoxy a large plastic cap t' t' straight end o' each tube.

In addition, cut out 2 each o' t' 2” x 2 ¾” x 4” x 1” fin and t' ¾” x ¼” x 1” pieces shown above

For t' motor mount, I traced t' BT80 onto t' mailin' box and cut out t' circle. Then I drew a line that went through t' center. Begad! Blimey! On here, me hearties, I traced 2 circles, centered on t' line but t' edges separated by about 1/8”. I cut out these holes and dry fitted t' piece into t' BT80 and t' BT50 tubes into t' center circles. Begad! Blimey! Sand t' fit. Once satisfied, me bucko, I used t' first piece as a template and made a second piece. T' two BT50 motor tubes had a 1/8” slit made 2 ½” from one end. Insert t' motor hook and secure with tape. Arrr! Blimey! Slide t' motor tubes into t' two centerin' rings. Arrr! Blimey! Cut another piece o' cardboard 2” x 2.6” Glue t' 2 motor tubes t' t' centerin' rings, sandwichin' t' 2” x 2.6” cardboard betwixt t' motor tubes and t' rings. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Let dry.

Take t' other 2 tongue depressors and make a mark 2 ½” from each end on t' edge. Blimey! Draw a line connectin' t' marks. Aye aye! Begad! Cut t' tongue depressor apart on this diagonal line. Bevel t' cut edges and glue t' pieces back together t' create an angle. Avast! Glue a toothpick into t' angle created.

For version 1.1, me bucko, me bucko, I made some standoffs. Cut 4 pieces o' balsa ½” x 1 ¼”. Begad! Bevel one o' t' 1 ¼” edges on each piece. Begad! Avast! Glue t' pieces together so t' bevels create a “V” channel

While t' version 1.1 be designed for a 3/16” rod, arrr, ya bilge rat, t' rocket be too heavy. Well, blow me down! T' version 1.2 be upgraded for ¼” rod. Well, blow me down! Since all I got was 1/8” launch lug material, me bucko, I had t' improvise. Take 3 o' t' small skewers, me bucko, cut 2 t' 7” and t' third t' 9” from t' pointed tip. Arrr! Begad! Save t' cut off ends for future use. Avast, me proud beauty! Glue the two 7” skewers t' a tongue depressor even with t' ends. Begad! Let dry. Aye aye! Aye aye! Cut t' ¼” dowel into two 6” sections. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Glue these t' t' 7” skewers. Aye aye! Arrr! Finally, ya bilge rat, t' 9” skewer needs t' be glued in t' middle o' t' tongue depressor on t' opposite side.

From t' 1/8” balsa, arrr, cut 2 fins 9” x 3”. I received a plywood fin that be already 6” x 2 ¼”. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You would need t' cut your own fin out.

T' BT80 section needs t' be lengthened for stability, so I transformed t' 80K nose cone into a transition. Aye aye! For version 1.1, ya bilge rat, I planned t' eject t' parachutes from t' very top, me bucko, but I ran into issues. Arrr! Arrr! Version 1.2 separates at the transition. Begad! First, arrr, take t' plastic cup and cut about 1 1/8” diameter hole in t' top. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Slide t' cup over t' nose cone end. Well, blow me down! Adjust t' hole size until t' edge o' t' cup (with t' lip) is snug on t' nose cone. Carefully, me hearties, cut away the trim, double check t' fit, then glue t' cup over t' nose cone. Let dry.

This is how it looks when done

T' attach t' top t' t' nose cone, take one o' t' BT 20 t' BT50 adapters and place it over t' top o' t' 80K nose cone. Mark where it touches t' cone and remove it. Take t' BT50 tube. Begad! First cut off a 3” length (to use as a motor mount). Slide a BT50 section over t' nose cone end. Arrr! Again, mark where it touches. Aye aye! Dry fit t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter in t' 15” length and t' BT50 t' BT60 over t' same end. Avast! Push t' tube and adapters onto t' nose cone and verify t' fit. Blimey! Once you are satisfied, matey, slide t' BT50 t' BT60 adapter up a bit and remove t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter. I used 30 minute epoxy; put some inside t' BT50 tube followed by t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter. Place more epoxy on t' outside o' t' BT50 tube near t' end. Begad! Arrr! Finally, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, place more epoxy on t' nose cone at t' marks made earlier. Place t' tube over t' end o' t' nose cone and press down. Arrr! This will push t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter up, me hearties, and slide the BT50 t' BT60 adapter down. Blimey! Make sure t' tube is straight with t' nose cone. Avast! Let dry.

While t' transition section is drying, shiver me timbers, me bucko, you can make t' nose cone section. Ahoy! Take t' 3” BT20 tube and 4 equally spaced lines (every 90 degrees) along t' length o' t' tube. Avast! From one end, arrr, make marks at 1” on two opposite lines, and marks at 1 ½” on t' other two opposite lines. Similar t' t' couplers, me hearties, connect t' marks and carefully cut t' tube. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Take t' BT19 tube and make 2 lines t' length o' t' tube on opposite sides.. Avast! I am not sure if BT19 is a real designation. (This tube is one you would normally get with an Estes rocket, make a mark, put glue inside a motor tube, and use this tube t' push t' motor block in up t' t' mark, me hearties, and then “quickly remove to keep from gettin' stuck”).

One piece o' t' BT20 will be slightly smaller. Arrr! This be t' top. Begad! Glue it onto t' BT19 linin' up t' pointed ends with t' marks on t' tube. Glue t' 1” BT20 nose cone onto this end. Glue t' other BT20 section onto t' BT19, also linin' up t' pointed ends. Begad! Glue 2 BT20 t' BT50 adapters onto this end. Avast, me proud beauty! I put t' first on so it only left a small 1/16” ~ 1/8” o' t' BT20 extending, so t' adapters are mostly glued t' each other

Since t' 1.1 version was t' be t' separation point for ejection, ya bilge rat, I did nay want this nose t' slide down, me hearties, ya bilge rat, so I created a lip by cuttin' 2 launch lug sections, me bucko, with t' tops cut at an angle, ya bilge rat, t' t' BT20 tube in line with the pointed ends. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' 2 balsa pieces cut earlier (¾” x ¼” x 1” pieces) were glued t' t' top on the shorter portion, arrr, shiver me timbers, 90 degrees from t' launch lugs.

I glued 2 toothpicks as antenna, matey, arrr, but they smartly broke off. Blimey! Begad! I would nay bother.

Once t' top was dry, t' ensure stability, I added 1.5 ounces o' epoxy and BB pellets t' t' top.

T' win' pods can start assembly. Avast, me proud beauty! Cut t' 18” BT20 in half. Ahoy! Draw a line along t' length o' t' 2 pieces. Make marks at 2 ¼” and 7” from one end. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Glue t' 2 BT55 couplers cut before at t' 2 ¼” and 7” locations. Ahoy! Note t' positions o' t' smaller and larger coupler segment and t' direction o' t' angled cuts. Make 2 o' these. Well, blow me down! Glue t' BT20 x 2 ¾” nose cones in. Begad! Usin' a Dremel tool, I cleaned up t' ends o' t' broken BT55 nose cones. Avast! Begad! These I epoxied into t' other end t' look like a nozzle. Begad! Blimey! I canted t' nozzle for appearance. Arrr! Begad! Let dry, then glue t' 2” x 2 ¾” x 4” x 1” fin t' t' other side. Begad! You should cut a notch into t' fin to fit over t' coupler.

Back t' t' main section, me bucko, I slid t' larger BT80 coupler into t' BT80 tube with t' point even with t' end. I used this as a markin' template t' cut t' BT80 tube. Aye aye! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I then spent an hour tryin' t' get t' coupler out o' t' tube, causin' me t' have t' cut ¼” strip off where a chewed it up tryin' t' push t' jammed thin' out. Blimey! JINX! Cut out t' BT80 tube at t' mark.

I used a piece o' paper and marked t' paper t' determine t' BT80 circumference. Aye aye! Avast! Sorry for changin' units, me bucko, but I found it t' be almost exactly 21 cm. I wanted t' wings pods t' be slightly asymmetrical, arrr, so for 3 pods they should be 7cm apart, ya bilge rat, instead I used 6cm. Aye aye! Ahoy! for t' 2 wings. I centered t' point with t' 6cm marks on t' point o' t' BT80 tube and marked t' tube. Begad! Extend these lines t' length o' t' tube. Arrr! Aye aye! Glue t' motor mount into t' BT80 so t' 2 tubes are perpendicular t' t' point.

Since me motor mount was cardboard, I did coat it with epoxy for protection.

Glue t' launch lug assembly so t' aft o' t' dowel is 4” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube.

Glue t' win' pods t' t' BT80 so t' aft o' t' win' coupler is 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube on the 6cm lines.

Thee rudder pod is similar t' t' win' pods. Blimey! Mark and glue t' BT80 couplers t' t' BT55 tube at 2 ¾” and 9 7/8” positions. Begad! Glue t' smaller fin t' t' coupler and body tube (you will need t' cut a notch into t' fin for t' coupler) as shown.

T' 2 large fins should wait until this is glued t' t' BT80 tube. Arrr! Mark and glue this pod t' t' BT80 tube, again with t' end o' t' coupler 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube. T' assist in t' stability, shiver me timbers, me bucko, glue t' left over segments o' t' skewers (from t' launch lug) betwixt t' aft BT80 coupler and t' BT80 tube. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' 4 ½” BT5 tubes glue betwixt t' front coupler and t' BT80 tube, shiver me timbers, alignin' t' angled cut with t' coupler. Glue t' BT55 nose cone t' t' front.

Once dry, me bucko, glue t' larger fins betwixt t' coupler sections on either side. Begad! Avast! Blimey! T' make a nozzle for t' rudder, I sanded and roughed up t' 3 measuring/mixin' cups. Arrr! Blimey! I cut 2 circles (1 3/8” diameter) from t' mailin' box. I beveled t' edge, me bucko, and then glued one circle into 2 o' t' cups, arrr, then glued t' cups together (all usin' epoxy). Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! Once dry, this glued into t' aft o' t' BT55 tube. Begad! Blimey! This nozzle I left straight.

Now t' complete t' top. Aye aye! Blimey! Startin' at t' BT50 t' BT60 adapter, me hearties, me bucko, glue 2 large skewers and 2 toothpicks along the tube. Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! Attach two o' t' 7” BT5 tubes in line with t' toothpicks startin' at 9” from t' top o' t' BT50 tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Glue small plastic caps t' t' top o' these tubes. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Glue t' nose assembly t' t' top. T' launch lugs should be in line with t' BT5 tubes

T' shock cord was cut in half. A provided screw eye was attached t' t' 80K nose cone. Begad! Begad! I used some o' t' paper to make a trifold t' attach t' shock cord t' t' main tubes. Usin' t' snap swivels, one 12” parachute was attached t' t' top and t' other was attached t' t' main tube shock cord.

For version 1.1, t' bent balsa be attached t' t' fins on t' wings. Begad! T' V beveled standoffs were attached over the win' fins. Begad! Blimey! A missile be made usin' t' last BT5 tube, ya bilge rat, t' fin can, t' display nozzle, and another small cap. Aye aye! A missile rack was made with some ¼” x ¼” x 2” supports. Finally, two 1” x 3” supports were made t' support t' missile. Your size may vary based on t' size o' your wife’s cake savers (or other molds you may have used).

Flight:
Cuttin' things t' t' wire, t' night before I left for NERRF I’m givin' this thin' a quick primer coat and 1 coat o' white. Begad! There were supposed t' be chances o' thunderstorms at NERRF and I be afraid t' field could be wet. Water and cardboard don’t mix. Ahoy! So, on Saturday, off t' NERRF 4 I went t' fly t' beast. Avast! Begad! As I previously stated, the rocket was designed t' eject t' parachutes from t' top (I did nay discuss about t' holes I drilled through the 80K nose cone. As I be preppin' t' rocket, I noticed t' parachutes were tight. Avast! Begad! This had me concerned. Arrr! Aye aye! I had not glued t' 80K t' t' BT80 (fortunately), so I taped this joint. Blimey! Installed 2 D12-3 engines and got through t' RSO (he did wince when I stated it only used two 12” parachutes). While waitin' t' load, I had several comments askin' how I kept all t' small pieces on. Aye aye! I explained this was its first flight. We called a heads up flight. Ya scallywag!

They launched t' HPR rockets, matey, started t' LPR – and stopped halfway! They then went t' more HPR and did not come back t' t' LPR. Begad! Ahoy! My rocket sat on t' pad for over an hour. Avast! JINX! Finally, it launched. Blimey! It danced a bit on t' pad – t' rocket weight was really too heavy for a 3/16’ rod. Blimey! Avast! Also, I thought t' 3/16” rods were 4’, but they were only 3’. Ahoy! But, matey, arrr, t' rocket went up nice and straight. Begad! But those tight chutes did nay come out. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! The tape at t' transition let go – crash. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, arrr, blow me down! JINX!

I gathered up t' pieces. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' worst damage was t' wing. At least t' corn had tasted good.

As I previously stated, me hearties, at this point I cut off t' 1.1 version o' t' launch lug and rebuilt it as version 1.2. I decided t' missile added too much weight, me hearties, and I had no good place t' put it, me bucko, me bucko, so I left it off. Blimey! I cut off the standoffs for t' tongue depressors and mounted them upside down. Well, blow me down! Begad! It be also at this point when I changed t' t' shock cords t' connect at t' transition. Well, blow me down! So, I went back t' NERRF on Sunday. While loadin' t' engines, I had t' rocket leanin' against t' side o' me car. Well, blow me down! Begad! I had t' grab something, and it fell over and cracked a fin. Ya scallywag! JINX! A quick glue repair and it be good t' go. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I did nay have t' wait this time, me hearties, possible since I be now on t' ¼” rods. Again, ya bilge rat, I requested a heads up. Begad! Avast! It launched beautifully straight, matey, but when t' chutes came out t' one for t' main section tangled on t' launch lug skewers and landed hard. Arrr! Arrr! JINX! But at least t' top came down gently, ya bilge rat, and landed in one o' t' water filled irrigation ditches. Blimey! Well, blow me down! JINX! JINX! JINX! Fortunately, it was only t' very tip with t' epoxy/BB filling. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! There be some minor damage t' t' rocket, shiver me timbers, but it was repairable. I was goin' t' give up, but then t' contest got extended a week, just enough time for some repairs and painting.

My son and I went t' a local school yard and did 1 launch. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Nice and straight, shiver me timbers, both chutes opened, and a safe recovery! I be nay goin' t' tempt fate with another launch. Ya scallywag! Begad! One thin' I would say, me bucko, t' rocket really needs 18” chutes minimum. Blimey! Begad! While t' landin' did nay cause any damage, arrr, I did wince as it looked rather hard. Well, blow me down! However, I had to live with what I got – t' 12” chutes.

Summary:
This be a great contest that challenged me. Despite all me JINXes, me hearties, I think I came up with somethin' special that used almost all o' me parts. Avast! Avast! Blimey! I guess t' only thin' I didn't try is puttin' t' rest o' t' parts into a blender...