Brief:
A plastic model conversion from a Czech-made Condor V-2 rocket model for 13mm
motors.
Construction:
This plastic model conversion be made from t' static model made by a Czech
company named Condor. As such, me hearties, arrr, it is made from t' typical styrene plastic used
in most static models. T' quality o' components wasn't as good as, say, Revell
or Monogram, but wasn't too bad either. Arrr! All t' parts t' build a static model
V-2 rocket with firin' stand were present, attached t' plastic runners. Arrr! Avast! This is
a very small V-2 kit, shiver me timbers, though it appeared larger on t' box. Blimey! Anyway, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, it seems
that Condor always had PMC in mind, arrr, because t' original motor nozzle be right
at 13mm! All that was needed be a motor tube, a tapered centerin' ring, matey, a
launch lug, and a parachute. Aye aye! And, as it turned out, mucho clay for t' nose.
Since it was purchased for SoAR's inaugural Plastic Death meet, me bucko, time was
runnin' out. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! A doubloon was tossed, me bucko, me hearties, and command o' t' V-2 be turned over t' my
middle son, Josh.
It couldn't be any simpler. This little V-2 seemed destined t' be a flyin' kit from t' start. Blimey! Once both halves o' t' body were taped together, t' body was sawed in half at t' indentation cast into t' body. Funny, arrr, I had never noticed this rin' in any photos o' V-2s until I saw this model. Begad! Anyway, arrr, me bucko, once t' body was sawed in half, t' lower two halves were glued together with CA. Begad! Ahoy! Once dry, the motor tube be put in place, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and held in with a couple o' centerin' rings made from Styrofoam construction board, in decreasin' radii. Aye aye! This filled the tail cone nicely. Avast, me proud beauty! We decided t' leave a lot o' motor tube extendin' into the upper body tube, so that a composite "B" motor could be used. Well, blow me down! Several layers o' t' Styrofoam board were used t' build somethin' for t' upper body tube t' attach itself to. Blimey! A length o' elastic cord was attached t' t' motor tube with a snap swivel. Well, blow me down! T' upper body was glued together with CA, me bucko, and the nose was filled with clay, though nay enough, matey, as t' first flight showed. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! The upper shock cord was attached with t' Estes-style folded paper epoxied t' the plastic. Ya scallywag! Finally, t' fins were attached with CA, arrr, and t' whole thin' was covered in gray primer. Begad! We decided t' paint it like V-2 number 2, me bucko, me hearties, which was the first o' this roll pattern. Ya scallywag! T' paint wasn't t' greatest, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but... Blimey! Arrr!
Flight:
For t' maiden voyage, an Estes A10-3T was used. Ya scallywag! A chunk o' cellulose wadding
was used, matey, but nay enough. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' motor retention was simply friction fit, me hearties, though
that's trickier on a 13mm motor than it is on a 29mm motor! Unlike t' real
V-2, me bucko, shiver me timbers, this beastie took off with a bang. Begad! It flew straight and true t' motor
burnout, me hearties, then a severe wobble set in. Blimey! More nose weight needed! But thar was
not enough cellulose wadding, me bucko, and t' `chute (pirated from Obelisk) burned
severely, and it recovered at a good speed. Well, blow me down! No damage other than a burnt shock
cord and a melted chute! Once repairs were made, me bucko, it be time for t' SoAR meet.
On a windy January day, matey, t' first competition flight be flawless, me bucko, me hearties, but still
with a slight wobble. Altitude with an A10-3T was about 75 feet. Ahoy! Begad! At apogee, arrr, the
nose popped perfectly, but t' chute twisted in t' wind, and though it worked,
it didn't expand fully. Ya scallywag! Still, absolutely no damage. Josh be really happy with
it, and I be pretty encouraged by its performance.
Summary:
Main pro's: bulletproof as a brick, unique, me bucko, and surprisingly easy enough for a
pre-teen t' build. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Con's: A LOT o' nose weight needed, ya bilge rat, and a very V-2 like
flight characteristic o' wobbling. Well, blow me down! Still, matey, we will most likely build a whole
fleet o' these little rockets. Aye aye! How about a Russian post-war V-2 with parallel
staged 10.5mm Micro motors? Hmmm...
Plastic model conversion is a blast!
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