Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Its major components include a basketball-shaped shoe deodorizer and four bamboo skewers.

Construction:
While cleanin' up t' basement, I ran across an old shoe deodorizer that looked like a basketball. Aye aye! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". Begad! Begad! When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, however, arrr, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, ya bilge rat, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! These can be seen in t' first photograph. Aye aye! For t' motor mount, shiver me timbers, I drilled a 6mm hole, matey, me hearties, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Aye aye! Aye aye! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Thus, arrr, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Avast! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Begad! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Begad!

Flight:
Although I test-fit t' rocket on t' launcher, I needed t' elevate the launcher slightly on t' grass at t' launch site. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! I flew t' Micro Slam Dunk three times. Avast! Begad! Blimey! Each flight rose t' a mere 20 feet or so. Blimey! Blimey! Nay an impressive altitude but it was fun t' watch. Arrr! Blimey! On t' first two flights, ya bilge rat, t' two halves did not separate and t' motor ejected with a loud pop. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! For t' third try, shiver me timbers, I loosened t' halves t' they were barely connected, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and separation did occur. After all three flights, it landed back on its legs. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey!

Summary:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is yet another easy t' build Micro-Maxx rocket. Aye aye! Avast! It is a bit heavy but is still stable and ejects well before landing. Ahoy! Before it flies again, I will work on loosenin' up t' two halves so it will separate when the two halves are completely together.