Brief:
This is for t' Box o' Parts contest Well, this rocket for me has had multiple problems, matey, arrr, hence t' “jinx” name. Well, blow me down! Part o' t' issues was good old procrastination. Aye aye! But, matey, excessive work schedules (a few weeks where I was averaging 70 hours a week), stuck tubes, a crashin' computer that lost me files, matey, 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 was 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 was t' weigh t' parts. Well, blow me down! Avast! My goal was t' use as much as possible. Blimey! Based on t' weight, me hearties, I decided that t' rocket would need a cluster o' 2 D engines t' fly. Arrr! I also felt t' amount o' balsa wood be a bit skimpy (but as I actually got into t' build, ya bilge rat, it appeared that whenever I needed some wood, me bucko, matey, thar was still a piece available).

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

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

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

1. What t' speed o' maskin' tape was

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

3. 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). Begad! Once t' water be boiling, I placed t' 1/16” strip o' balsa (it was 2” x 12”) across t' pan. Besides satisfyin' me hunger, I was also steamin' t' wood so I could bend it. 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. Ya scallywag! Begad! I wanted t' use t' couplers to hold these pods. Take t' 3 couplers (1 BT80 and 2 BT55) and draw lines t' length o' t' coupler on opposite sides (180 degrees apart). Begad! Begad! For t' BT80, shiver me timbers, make a mark at 2” on one line and a mark at 1” on t' other. For t' BT55, make t' marks at 1” and ½”. Ahoy! Usin' stiff paper, connect t' marks on both sides. Usin' a sharp knife, cut along these lines.

Some other preparation work – take one o' t' 9” BT5 tubes. Blimey! 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. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Epoxy a large plastic cap t' t' straight end o' each tube.

In addition, matey, 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, shiver me timbers, me hearties, I traced t' BT80 onto t' mailin' box and cut out t' circle. Ahoy! Then I drew a line that went through t' center. Ya scallywag! On here, I traced 2 circles, centered on t' line but t' edges separated by about 1/8”. Arrr! I cut out these holes and dry fitted t' piece into t' BT80 and t' BT50 tubes into t' center circles. Sand t' fit. Ahoy! Avast! Once satisfied, I used t' first piece as a template and made a second piece. Begad! T' two BT50 motor tubes had a 1/8” slit made 2 ½” from one end. Avast, me proud beauty! Insert t' motor hook and secure with tape. Begad! Well, blow me down! Slide t' motor tubes into t' two centerin' rings. Ahoy! 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. Begad! Begad! Let dry.

Take t' other 2 tongue depressors and make a mark 2 ½” from each end on t' edge. Ya scallywag! Draw a line connectin' t' marks. Arrr! Aye aye! Cut t' tongue depressor apart on this diagonal line. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, I made some standoffs. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Cut 4 pieces o' balsa ½” x 1 ¼”. Arrr! Bevel one o' t' 1 ¼” edges on each piece. Avast! Arrr! Glue t' pieces together so t' bevels create a “V” channel

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

From t' 1/8” balsa, me bucko, cut 2 fins 9” x 3”. I received a plywood fin that was 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, ya bilge rat, so I transformed t' 80K nose cone into a transition. Well, blow me down! For version 1.1, I planned t' eject t' parachutes from t' very top, arrr, but I ran into issues. Begad! Begad! Version 1.2 separates at the transition. Arrr! First, take t' plastic cup and cut about 1 1/8” diameter hole in t' top. Begad! Slide t' cup over t' nose cone end. Begad! Blimey! Adjust t' hole size until t' edge o' t' cup (with t' lip) is snug on t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Avast! Begad! Mark where it touches t' cone and remove it. Arrr! Begad! Take t' BT50 tube. Ahoy! Begad! First cut off a 3” length (to use as a motor mount). Slide a BT50 section over t' nose cone end. Again, mark where it touches. Begad! Dry fit t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter in t' 15” length and t' BT50 t' BT60 over t' same end. Push t' tube and adapters onto t' nose cone and verify t' fit. Avast! Once you are satisfied, 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. Ahoy! Place more epoxy on t' outside o' t' BT50 tube near t' end. Avast, me proud beauty! Finally, shiver me timbers, 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. Begad! This will push t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter up, and slide the BT50 t' BT60 adapter down. Arrr! Make sure t' tube is straight with t' nose cone. Blimey! Let dry.

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

One piece o' t' BT20 will be slightly smaller. This be t' top. Ya scallywag! Glue it onto t' BT19 linin' up t' pointed ends with t' marks on t' tube. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Glue t' 1” BT20 nose cone onto this end. Blimey! Glue t' other BT20 section onto t' BT19, also linin' up t' pointed ends. Well, arrr, blow me down! Glue 2 BT20 t' BT50 adapters onto this end. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! 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, arrr, I did nay want this nose t' slide down, so I created a lip by cuttin' 2 launch lug sections, with t' tops cut at an angle, t' t' BT20 tube in line with the pointed ends. Aye aye! T' 2 balsa pieces cut earlier (¾” x ¼” x 1” pieces) were glued t' t' top on the shorter portion, matey, 90 degrees from t' launch lugs.

I glued 2 toothpicks as antenna, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but they smartly broke off. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I would nay bother.

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

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

Back t' t' main section, I slid t' larger BT80 coupler into t' BT80 tube with t' point even with t' end. Avast, me proud beauty! I used this as a markin' template t' cut t' BT80 tube. Begad! Begad! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! JINX! Cut out t' BT80 tube at t' mark.

I used a piece o' paper and marked t' paper t' determine t' BT80 circumference. Begad! Arrr! Sorry for changin' units, but I found it t' be almost exactly 21 cm. Well, blow me down! I wanted t' wings pods t' be slightly asymmetrical, shiver me timbers, so for 3 pods they should be 7cm apart, me hearties, instead I used 6cm. Aye aye! for t' 2 wings. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I centered t' point with t' 6cm marks on t' point o' t' BT80 tube and marked t' tube. Aye aye! Extend these lines t' length o' t' tube. Ya scallywag! 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. Begad! Mark and glue t' BT80 couplers t' t' BT55 tube at 2 ¾” and 9 7/8” positions. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Blimey! Blimey! Mark and glue this pod t' t' BT80 tube, again with t' end o' t' coupler 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube. Aye aye! Blimey! T' assist in t' stability, arrr, glue t' left over segments o' t' skewers (from t' launch lug) betwixt t' aft BT80 coupler and t' BT80 tube. T' 4 ½” BT5 tubes glue betwixt t' front coupler and t' BT80 tube, me hearties, alignin' t' angled cut with t' coupler. Arrr! Blimey! Glue t' BT55 nose cone t' t' front.

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

Now t' complete t' top. Begad! Startin' at t' BT50 t' BT60 adapter, glue 2 large skewers and 2 toothpicks along the tube. Attach two o' t' 7” BT5 tubes in line with t' toothpicks startin' at 9” from t' top o' t' BT50 tube. Glue small plastic caps t' t' top o' these tubes. Glue t' nose assembly t' t' top. T' launch lugs should be in line with t' BT5 tubes

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

For version 1.1, t' bent balsa was attached t' t' fins on t' wings. Arrr! T' V beveled standoffs were attached over the win' fins. Begad! A missile be made usin' t' last BT5 tube, t' fin can, me hearties, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' display nozzle, matey, me bucko, and another small cap. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! A missile rack was made with some ¼” x ¼” x 2” supports. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Finally, two 1” x 3” supports were made t' support t' missile. Blimey! Ahoy! 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. Well, me bucko, blow me down! 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. So, on Saturday, off t' NERRF 4 I went t' fly t' beast. 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. Arrr! Ya scallywag! As I was preppin' t' rocket, I noticed t' parachutes were tight. Ya scallywag! This had me concerned. I had not glued t' 80K t' t' BT80 (fortunately), so I taped this joint. Avast, me proud beauty! Installed 2 D12-3 engines and got through t' RSO (he did wince when I stated it only used two 12” parachutes). Avast! While waitin' t' load, I had several comments askin' how I kept all t' small pieces on. Avast! Arrr! I explained this be its first flight. Begad! We called a heads up flight.

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

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

As I previously stated, 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, matey, shiver me timbers, and I had no good place t' put it, so I left it off. I cut off the standoffs for t' tongue depressors and mounted them upside down. It be also at this point when I changed t' t' shock cords t' connect at t' transition. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! So, I went back t' NERRF on Sunday. Begad! Blimey! While loadin' t' engines, I had t' rocket leanin' against t' side o' me car. Blimey! Blimey! I had t' grab something, matey, and it fell over and cracked a fin. JINX! Blimey! A quick glue repair and it was good t' go. Ahoy! Blimey! I did nay have t' wait this time, ya bilge rat, possible since I be now on t' ¼” rods. Again, I requested a heads up. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It launched beautifully straight, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but when t' chutes came out t' one for t' main section tangled on t' launch lug skewers and landed hard. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! JINX! Blimey! But at least t' top came down gently, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and landed in one o' t' water filled irrigation ditches. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! JINX! Blimey! JINX! Blimey! JINX! Blimey! Fortunately, it was only t' very tip with t' epoxy/BB filling. Blimey! Blimey! There was some minor damage t' t' rocket, 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. Nice and straight, both chutes opened, me bucko, and a safe recovery! I was nay goin' t' tempt fate with another launch. Arrr! Ahoy! One thin' I would say, t' rocket really needs 18” chutes minimum. While t' landin' did nay cause any damage, I did wince as it looked rather hard. Ahoy! Begad! However, ya bilge rat, I had to live with what I got – t' 12” chutes.

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