Scratch Micro Slam Dunk Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Micro Slam Dunk {Scratch}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 11/20/01)

Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Arrr! Blimey! 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. Avast! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, however, matey, 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. Arrr! These can be seen in t' first photograph. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! For t' motor mount, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I drilled a 6mm hole, ya bilge rat, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Blimey! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Thus, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Arrr! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. Avast! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Well, blow me down! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

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

scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk

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