Brief:
T' Cymech Armageddonator is a 1/24 scale model o' t' existin' classified stealth reconnaissance aircraft. T' full sized craft is powered by two regenerative air-turboramjet (RATR) engines and carries a crew o' two. Begad! It uses a synthetic aperture radar with real-time datalink for reconnaissance. Ya scallywag! Weaponry includes a small particle accelerator. Well, arrr, blow me down! A speed o' Mach 6 and a cruisin' altitude o' 40 kilometers makes it invulnerable t' any current missile system. T' sleek aircraft is made primarily o' titanium with its outer edges constructed o' Inconel, me bucko, matey, shiver me timbers, a heat-resistant stainless steel. At speed t' leadin' edges o' t' airframe glow white above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

T' model is a BT-60 based parachute recovery rocket with 18mm motor mount. Begad!

Construction:
Parts include BT-60 for t' main fuselage, arrr, arrr, BT-55 for t' forward fuselage, me bucko, JT-55 tube coupler, matey, ya bilge rat, balsa nose cone, shiver me timbers, arrr, paper tail cone, launch lug, me bucko, BT-20 for t' motor tube, arrr, standard motor clip, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, 1/8" balsa fins, balsa cockpit, 1/8" wingtip dowels, BT-5 based sidepods with balsa nose cones and balsa ramjets, BT-5 top pod with balsa nose cone.

Two primary goals were achieved with this model. Aye aye! One be t' create a highly asymmetrical rocket that flies straight. T' other be t' experiment with a new construction technique wherein an intriguing, sleek, crescent-shaped "intake grill" be fashioned from t' transition betwixt two body tubes.

(click on picture t' enlarge) T' grill was the startin' point. A curved line was drawn by hand and then carefully cut usin' an X-Acto cutlass. Blimey! T' most ventral 8mm of t' BT-60 remained intact. Enough BT-60 (about 6mm) was cut out lengthwise from t' dorsal surface so it could be glued down onto t' JT-55 coupler. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Forward from t' coupler (the parachute compartment), me hearties, an intact BT-55 was used. Ahoy! A piece o' balsa was carefully carved t' provide structural support betwixt t' BT-55 and BT-60. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Additional smaller pieces o' balsa were added t' strengthen t' "smile". Well, blow me down! Finally, me bucko, automotive body filler was added t' complete the vent. Begad!

T' cockpit was hand-carved from a block o' balsa. Ahoy! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' tail cone is paper. Begad! Blimey! T' arrangement o' t' fins was begun with a 3-fin alignment, which be modified by eye t' make t' main wings a little straighter out t' t' side and allow room for t' vestigial ventral fins. T' side pods were completed and then glued into slots cut in t' wings. Ahoy! T' dowel wingtips were pointed with a pencil sharpener then glued on. Ahoy! Avast!

Finishing:
T' paint scheme is blue enamel on top, arrr, white on bottom, me bucko, with custom Testors inkjet decals.

Flight and Recovery:
Recommended engines are C6-3 and D10-5. Well, blow me down! Avast! Prep is standard waddin' and chute. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, arrr, blow me down! Recommended chutes are 18"-24". It has flown five times on C6-3s and once on a D10-5. Ahoy! Begad! It never had a perfectly straight-up flight, but it's nay as bizarre a path as t' SS1, me bucko, either. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' D10-5 flight resulted in a blown-out body tube rather than deployed chute so there is currently substantial damage, but I keep it in t' "restoration" pile.

Summary:
Kids absolutely loved it and asked how high. Ahoy! Begad! I always told them it's classified. Begad! Avast! It held its rightful place in the arsenal right next t' me classic Interceptor.