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, matey, shiver me timbers, but it also supports a TARC
team as well.
Construction:
T' kit includes:
T' provided instructions were easy t' follow. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You start out by epoxyin' the motor tube into t' fin can. Ahoy! Blimey! A hole be 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. Once dry, I poured in more epoxy t' a depth o' about 1/8" in t' bottom o' t' fin can t' provide more strength. Begad! Blimey! 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). Begad! Begad! There be also a large screw eye mounted to the bulkhead and t' shock cord be already attached. 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. T' fin can already had holes drilled in it for mounting the fins. Avast! Well, blow me down! I believe t' idea was t' allow for epoxy rivets t' form in the holes. Avast, me proud beauty! I sanded t' areas around t' holes and applied epoxy t' t' root edge of t' Lexan fins. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I used an angle iron t' hold t' fin in place while drying.
Once all t' fins were mounted, me hearties, me bucko, I be gettin' ready t' move t' rocket and I
accidentally dropped it onto a carpeted floor. Aye aye! Two o' t' fins immediately came
off along with t' dried epoxy. Well, blow me down! There was no glue residue on t' fin can
whatsoever. Begad! This told me that t' epoxy just was nay stickin' well enough to
the plastic fin can. Begad! I remounted t' fins and then added fillets usin' West
systems 405 filletin' blend. Aye aye! This detracted from t' appearance somewhat, 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. Arrr! On me second Crayon, I opted t' cut fin slots for TTW fin mounting. Underdog is also doin' t' same thin' on subsequent kits. Well, blow me down! It really is a better method and looks much better too!
I added some Kaplow clips t' t' fin can for positive motor retention. Well, blow me down! I did have t' trim some plastic off t' nose cone shoulder so t' fit be not quite so tight. Aye aye! Last step was t' mount t' 30" parachute and she was ready for flying. Avast, me proud beauty!
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. I added a Nomex®
chute protector due t' t' size o' t' body tube. My first flight was with an
Aerotech F50-4T single use motor. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' Crayon took off at a respectable speed
and got t' about 600 feet. Arrr! T' delay was just about perfect with ejection
occurrin' slightly after apogee. T' second flight was on a G104T-S and had a
straight, me hearties, fast boost t' about 800 feet. Avast! Begad! Ejection again was a little after
apogee. Begad! Great flights!
Recovery:
T' 30" parachute was just t' right size t' brin' this rocket back down
to earth without damage. Well, blow me down! Arrr! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Underdog Rockets
went through a lot o' work t' put this kit together. Avast! 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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