Fat Cat Rockets Ringleader

Fat Cat Rockets - Ringleader {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Fat Cat Rockets

Rocket PicBrief
A real looker, ya bilge rat, this short and stout rocket with a rin' around t' fins t' add stability. It also has forward finlets forward t' each fin.

Construction
When I ordered its sister kit, me hearties, arrr, t' GTX, arrr, this model be temporarily sold out, so I told t' company please t' inform me when more came and that I'd send for it. Less than 2 weeks later, matey, they arrived, although at a higher price, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. That be a nice courtesy.

All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! It's stronger than just polyethylene. T' fins and finlets are precut plywood and t' sizes are equal in t' sets. Begad! Avast! That's nice nay t' have t' shave some parts t' fit or match, like we sometimes must. Blimey! T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. Aye aye! T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, me hearties, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. Avast, me proud beauty! My answer t' many problems. Blimey! Aye aye! Epoxy.

T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, matey, ya bilge rat, one o' which has 2 holes designed t' accept a loop from t' steel cordin' in t' aftward part o' t' shock cord system. Begad! This cord is crimped twice t' make 2 loops, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! That was hard, matey, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.

Everythin' else goes together in a snap, shiver me timbers, as it fits well. Begad! Epoxy was used as t' glue. Well, arrr, blow me down! Directions were simple and straightforward. T' chute is a pretty red rip stop, but lightweight nylon, 23 inches in diameter.

Finishing
This kit came with decals, me bucko, me bucko, so I used them. Blimey! I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, ya bilge rat, as they're black and look nice over yellow. T' model has a unique and catchy look. Aye aye! I'm pleased with it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight
T' manufacturer recommends t' F40-6, F62-6, F80-6, G40-10, matey, and G80-10. Ya scallywag! Begad! I chose t' G35. Avast! It happens t' be a favorite motor o' mine. Ahoy! I had one with a 7 delay. Begad! I figured that was a close call. Begad! I'd like an 8 or 9, really. Avast, me proud beauty! Anyway, I like t' Econojets because they are noisy on takeoff and put out a pretty flame. Well, blow me down! Well, t' rocket took off with great noise and went up over 1000 feet for sure. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It went up into t' sun, ya bilge rat, so I was unsure if it be still pointed up at ejection. I retained t' motor with piano wire and an auto hose clamp. Avast, me proud beauty! Worm bed waddin' protected t' chute. Well, blow me down! Everythin' fit easily into t' tube and wasn't so tight as t' make preppin' tough.

Recovery
Everythin' survived well, so it seems that t' 7 second delay is passable. Arrr! T' chute is also a passable size, ya bilge rat, arrr, too, as no fins were damaged.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary
Attractive and easy t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! Good if you want somethin' special t' show others at a launch. It's somethin' you won't find in stores. I had t' browse t' net for it. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Good mid power flights. Avast! Great company t' order from.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

comment Post a Comment