Manufacturer: | Modification |
Style: | Multi-Stage |
Brief:
This was a kit bash t' turn t' Quest Terrier-Orion into a two-stage model. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' modification was really simple: I simply added a motor mount t' t' upper section o' t' model. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' extra 18mm motor mount be taken from t' remnants o' an Estes SS1 kit that had experienced some problems and was nay goin' t' be built normally.
Modifications:
T' actual construction was straightforward and simple. Well, blow me down! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! It was just a matter of
buildin' t' two sections as independent pieces. Well, blow me down! Begad! One change that had
to be made, however, me hearties, was sandin' down t' upper section o' t' plastic transition. Ahoy! Havin' been designed t' be glued t' t' upper portion o' t' rocket, ya bilge rat, it was too tight for a reliable stage.
Construction:
T' additional components added t' t' Quest T-O kit were t' 18mm BT-20 for t' motor mount, ya bilge rat, homemade centerin' rings made from t' header card o' t' Estes kit, arrr, matey, and a Hartle Engineerin' streamer.
It's a nice, me hearties, me bucko, high quality kit typical o' Quest. Aye aye! It went together easily and well. It was painted with Wal-Mart spray paint.
Flight:
Although I'd read about gap stagin' I had never actually done it, matey, and I wondered if it would work. Avast! I didn't do anythin' special such as a stuffer tube or vent holes. Avast! I just trusted that it would work across t' 9-inch gap. Avast, me proud beauty! I'm happy t' report that it staged flawlessly and was an impressive flight. Ahoy! We even had some spectators who went out o' their way t' see this one because it would be a "cool two stager." Thankfully it was.
Recovery was less impressive. Ahoy! Because o' its design t' lower stage did nay tumble harmlessly. Ahoy! Instead it came down very smartly nose down. Ahoy! Aye aye! Impact drove t' plastic transition about half an inch into t' body tube and popped t' motor mount loose. Blimey! T' upper stage came down fine but loosened a fin
Summary:
This was a fun one. Blimey! It would be worth doin' again if I could find a better and safer way t' brin' down t' booster stage. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! With some repair it could possible fly again.
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