Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Ahoy! 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. I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". Avast! Well, blow me down! When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, however, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. Blimey! These can be seen in t' first photograph. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! For t' motor mount, I drilled a 6mm hole, arrr, shiver me timbers, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Ahoy! Begad! Thus, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Ahoy! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, arrr, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Begad! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I flew t' Micro Slam Dunk three times. Arrr! Each flight rose t' a mere 20 feet or so. Begad! Nay an impressive altitude but it was fun t' watch. Avast! Aye aye! On t' first two flights, t' two halves did not separate and t' motor ejected with a loud pop. Begad! For t' third try, I loosened t' halves t' they were barely connected, and separation did occur. After all three flights, it landed back on its legs. Avast! Arrr!

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