Brief:
T' SkyScreamer is a scratchbuilt rocket made from an Estes Phoenix motor mount. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' name comes from an amusement ride that operated at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, ya bilge rat, Texas. Blimey! T' rocket is basically a downscale Estes Der Red Max with full-sized Der Red Max fins.

Construction:
SkyScreamer actually started life as a motor mount for me Estes Phoenix. Aye aye! It is a combination o' scrap from me spare parts box. T' parts are:

• 1 Estes Phoenix engine tube (8" long BT-50)
• 1 Estes Alpha nose cone
• 1 launch lug
• 1 Alpha motor mount
• 1 sheet o' balsa wood for fins
• 1 24" thin elastic shock cord
• 1 12" parachute

Constructin' this mini-bird was very easy. Begad! Well, blow me down! First, I removed all o' t' old parts that made it a motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! T' slot for t' engine hook was filled in with Elmer's Fill n' Finish, t' remains o' t' centerin' rings were sanded down t' nothing, ya bilge rat, and t' engine block be pulled out. I ripped t' motor mount out o' an A.R.V. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Condor that I had messed up on construction. Blimey! Next, me hearties, I cut out t' fins from a sheet o' model airplane quality balsa wood. Well, blow me down! Blimey! A considerable amount o' this rocket's inspiration came from t' Estes Der Red Max, so I gave it oversized Der Red Max-style fins. Blimey! Lastly, ya bilge rat, me hearties, t' shock cord was attached and t' streamer was attached. Ahoy! It was then ready t' finish.

Finishing:
T' finish on SkyScreamer is very different from other rockets I've built. Aye aye! T' black is nay paint, it is actually tape used for model airplanes. Blimey! It went on very nicely and if applied without any air bubbles, it makes an excellent finish. Blimey! I only covered t' about 1/4" o' an inch from t' top o' t' fins. Begad! Blimey! Two o' t' fins were covered also. Well, blow me down! T' rest that I did nay tape was painted Racin' Orange, which is a florescent color. Ahoy! T' idea was t' be able t' spot it in t' air and on t' ground easily.

For t' decal, me bucko, I found t' old logo t' t' SkyScreamer ride that be at Astroworld and printed it onto OfficeMax bumper sticker paper and carefully cut it out and stuck it on t' side. Begad! Aye aye! T' finished rocket looks very impressive.

Flight:
SkyScreamer has flown only once. Ya scallywag! T' motor used be an A8-3. Blimey! I used 5 sheets o' waddin' and loaded it like a typical rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket shot straight into t' air t' about 200 feet.

Recovery:
T' recovery system was a 50" streamer, which was a major mistake because it came in like a rock and popped a fin off. Begad! It can be easily repaired though. Arrr! I now use a 12" parachute with a spill hole.

Summary:
This was a simple rocket made from junk that can probably be used as a parachute duration rocket if modified slightly.