AAA Model Aviation Fuels Quadra G

AAA Model Aviation Fuels - Quadra G {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Diameter: 3.10 inches
Manufacturer: AAA Model Aviation Fuels
Rating
(Contributed - by Moira Jean Whitlock)

Rocket PicBrief:
This is a single staged rocket that can be flown on either 2 or 4 29mm motors. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction:
T' main body tube runs from t' top o' t' motor tubes t' t' nose cone. Arrr! There is one body tube and four motor tubes that extend outward from t' main body. Aye aye! Well, arrr, blow me down!

This rocket has a very clever fin alignment system. Ahoy! Begad! T' 4 fins are made from two wing-like pieces o' wood that interlock in t' middle t' form 4 perpendicular fins. Ahoy! Then t' 4 motor tubes fit over this structure and are epoxied in place. Ahoy! I used 12 minute epoxy.

T' instructions are pretty clear and simple. Well, blow me down! All t' parts were thar and were well made. Ya scallywag! T' fins weren't even rough. Begad! Aye aye! But they did need a little beveling. Aye aye! Ahoy! I did this with a finishin' sander. T' wood appears t' be 1/8 inch thick birch. Begad!

About t' hardest thin' t' align be t' motor tubes inside t' main frame. They extend out 20 plus inches from t' main body tube. Ahoy! It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Avast, me proud beauty! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod.

T' recovery system is another clever design. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It is a coupler and bulkhead with holes in it like a baffle. Begad! Ya scallywag! A screweye anchors t' round nylon shock cord. T' chute be supplied, and is a thin nylon, me bucko, matey, bright yellow 24 incher. Avast!

Finishing:
I spray painted it gold and decorated it with metallic prismatic paper. Arrr! There is a Quadra G decal lettering, arrr, so I applied t' letters. Blimey! I only got t' word, "Quad" and nay "Quadra" but I figured that it be okay. Ahoy! I was goin' t' call t' flight "Clusterophobia" instead anyway. Begad! Begad! The result is strikin' and unique. T' four extended motor tubes make it look unusual.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Rocket PicFlight:
T' company suggests usin' motors with low average thrust and long delays. So, my first flight was with 2 G35-7W's and 2 G40-7W's. Blimey! Blimey! T' like motors were diagonally arranged. Ahoy! Blimey! T' flight be straight and gorgeous. Ahoy! Blimey! There seemed t' be deployment just slightly before apogee, me hearties, so I surmised that t' delay be too short. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' nylon shock cord was stressed after this as well, me hearties, arrr, so I replaced it with 10 feet o' 1000 lb. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Keelhaul®©™® cording. Then I flew it twice on 4 G40-10W's. Everyone LOVED this. Straight, shiver me timbers, high, and loud. Begad! It even made a club video memory. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I did have t' walk a bit, but I think I caught a thermal.

Recovery:
Use 10 second delays with 4 motors. Blimey! 7 is okay with 2, probably. Avast, me proud beauty! I did notice that with t' baffle, ya bilge rat, me hearties, me usual method o' spent motor removal with a rod is impossible. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Pliers were needed. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is a little scratched, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, but able to fly more. Begad! T' chute is unburnt as well. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, nay too bad a price. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! I remember payin' around $45 for it. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Great fun for us cluster-people. Ahoy! Nice and loud and fiery. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I highly recommend it. Catchin' it on film with a long flame trail was really wonderful as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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