Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
A 6 "C" engine cluster altitude rocket from t' May/June Issue of
Sport Rocketry Magazine. Avast! Found on page 26, ya bilge rat, matey, titled "6-C Cluster Altitude
(Competition Rocketry)" By Dan Wolf.
Construction:
This is a very easy rocket t' build from scratch. Avast, me proud beauty! T' alignment o' t' side
tubes is best accomplished usin' a line drawn on body tube for a guide. Well, blow me down! The
fins just need t' be centered on t' five side tubes and straight as any rocket
fin should be. T' body tube, because o' it's small diameter and length is
prone t' bendin' durin' a hard landing. No special tools needed. Ya scallywag! I Used scrap
1/8 balsa for fins, and some Estes BT 20 tube I already had layin' around. Blimey! I
had t' purchase some PNC 20 nose cones (short ones) as five are required for
the side tubes; I already had a regular PNC 20 for t' nose.
Flight:
T' recommended motors are 6 o' t' C6-7's. I used this combination on me first
flight. Ahoy! Normal preparations are used, i.e. Blimey! waddin' in body tube, careful
foldin' o' parachute, etc. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' motor tubes have no retention other than a tight
fit. Tape around motors as needed t' insure a tight fit. Avast, me proud beauty!
T' flight was straight as an arrow, shiver me timbers, with no spinnin' or wobble. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' large smoke trail be beautiful as be t' flames from t' 6 engines.
A "Clip Whip" or a special set of
soldered igniters is needed t' ignite all engines at once. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I made a special set
of igniters soldered together. Well, blow me down! (worked perfectly)
I used a 1/8" elastic shock cord approx. Aye aye! 3 times t' body length for the recovery. Avast! T' 7 sec. Well, blow me down! delay is nay long enough t' get t' most out o' this rocket. Ahoy! Avast! It is still goin' up when t' ejection occurs. Well, blow me down! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' article discusses this, matey, and an alternate method is t' use a composite C10-10 for t' center (body tube) engine for a longer delay before ejection. This also has draw-backs mentioned in t' article.
Summary:
This is a specialty rocket for sure. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It is a blast t' launch and is very
impressive. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It is an attention-getter by looks and flight performance. Begad! Blimey! T' 6
"C" motors give you approx. a F36 power range launch. This is a bunch
for such a light rocket and t' performance shows it. It is a bit o' a chore to
prep, and really doesn't lend itself t' multiple launches durin' t' day,
unless a good reliable "Clip Whip" is employed. T' body tube is
prone t' damage if recovery isn't exactly smooth.
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