Brief:
My Mini-V2 is a semi-scale model based on BT-50 tubing. I was motivated to build this V2 after seein' plans for a BT-20 version that appeared in the January 1989 issue o' American Spacemodeling. T' Mini-V2 is a simple model and was constructed usin' "scrap" materials layin' around from other projects. Well, blow me down!

Construction:
Materials used:

1. Two PNC-50 nose cones (2.75" long), one is used for t' tail cone
2. BT-50 (4")
3. BT-5 (~2 ¼")
4. Used engine casings for centerin' rin' (24mm, shiver me timbers, 18mm)
5. 1/8" balsa fin stock
6. Motor hook for mini motors
7. 1/8" wide elastic shock cord
8. Plastic streamer
9. Launch lug
10. Clay for nose weight

Construction o' most o' t' rocket is pretty basic, and needs no elaboration. Well, blow me down! I used yellow glue for t' paper-paper joints and epoxy for the paper-plastic joints. Avast!

Tail cone assembly: Insert t' tip o' one cone into t' BT-5 tubing and mark. Avast! Cut t' end o' t' cone off (~1 3/16") so that t' BT-5 tube will just fit. Ahoy! Ahoy! Also, cut off t' end o' t' nose cone immediately before the shock cord attachment. Ya scallywag! Usin' ½" sections o' t' 24mm and 18mm casings, me hearties, make a rin' t' center t' BT-5 in t' nose cone shoulder. Well, blow me down! Begad! This requires some peelin' and, shiver me timbers, arrr, o' course, other materials can be used. Install the engine clip so that t' engine extends about 3/8" from t' motor tube. Make a 3/8" long x 1/8" wide notch in t' end o' t' boat-tail to accommodate t' engine hook. Test fit t' engine mount and make sure t' engine hook works when installed in t' tail cone (engine tube flush with t' end of the tail cone). Glue it all together.

Fins: Make a template usin' t' attached diagram. Well, arrr, blow me down! Note that I was not careful with these dimensions and they can probably be improved by referencin' Pete Always's book or other on-line resources. Most any scrap balsa can be used, me bucko, matey, but I used 1/8". Begad! Ahoy! Make sure t' grain is parallel t' the leadin' edge, etc. Avast, me proud beauty! Holdin' sandpaper on t' boat tail, shiver me timbers, sand t' root o' each fin so it conforms t' its curve. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Glue t' fins on such that they overlap t' BT by ¼".

Nose weight: Add clay t' t' nose so that t' CG without an engine is 3 7/8" from t' tip o' t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight:
This model has "flown" 4 times on A10-3 engines. Begad! On t' first try, the nozzle blew through. Begad! T' Mini-V2 attained an altitude o' about 10 feet and ejected on t' ground. T' second try was picture perfect. A ¾" x 3" plastic streamer brought it down safely about 50 feet from t' pad. This is a good model for small fields. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' third try, t' 1/4" lug bound on t' 3/16" launch rod and t' V2 stuck there. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Suggestion: use a lug for a standard rod. Ya scallywag! T' fourth and final flight (to date) be also successful. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast!

Summary:
PROs: 1) Easy t' build, 2) Looks nice, 3) Gets positive comments from other fliers. Avast! Avast! CON: 1) Nay 100% scale.