Scratch Express Mail Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Express Mail {Scratch}

Contributed by Drake "Doc" Damerau

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Drake Damerau - 03/30/05) (Scratch) Express Mail

Brief:
Mid power rocket made with free Priority mail boxes, parachute recovery.

Construction:
To build this rocket, you will need two triangle priority mail tubes, packing tape, me bucko, wood glue, matey, and a hobby knife.

T' first step is t' make t' body. Cut t' end flaps off o' one o' the tubes (picture below-left). Ahoy! Blimey!

Peel t' self stick tape off o' t' side flap and seal t' box. Avast! Set this aside for now (picture below-right).

T' next step is t' make t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Cut about 9 inches off t' end of one o' t' boxes. Arrr! Use t' end that has t' flaps. Avast! Now cut t' self stick flap from t' side. Begad! This be t' trickiest part o' t' build. Well, blow me down! You will need t' trim the sides and "work" t' fold in t' middle t' make it fit into the other box. Blimey! Ahoy! T' fit has t' be good t' ensure that t' pressure doesn't leak out and fails t' blow off t' nose cone. Begad! Well, blow me down! When you get a good fit, use packin' tape to close t' end and side. Well, blow me down!

Flaps Tape

(Scratch) Express MailNow you can make t' motor mount. Begad! I used an 11" x 17" sheet o' paper wrapped around a couple o' E engines and secured it with some packin' tape. Soak the paper liberally with CA t' stiffen it up. Begad! Ahoy! I did this t' keep it a free paper rocket, but you can use a MMT if you wish.

Now make two centerin' "rings" (centerin' triangles really) out of the leftover tube. Aye aye! You can use your motor tube t' draw circles t' cut the holes. Avast! You will need t' cut a hole for t' tube now in t' box you made for the body tube. Glue t' motor tube assembly in t' rocket as you would with any other rocket.

(Scratch) Express Mail Cut three fins out o' t' remainin' box. Begad! Begad! I chose t' glue them t' t' sides but you can arrange them any way you wish. Blimey! Launch lugs were made from a discarded Aerotech igniter tube. Begad! Recovery can be installed usin' any system you wish.

T' finished weight without recovery was 15.6 oz.

Finishing:
I chose nay t' finish mine. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! If you wish t' finish yours, me bucko, matey, me hearties, I would recommend two coats o' primer t' seal t' cardboard before painting. Avast! Begad! Another idea would be to just seal it with a clear coat t' prevent t' cardboard from soakin' up moisture.

Flight:
T' first flight was on an E16-4W. Aye aye! It looked like it went t' about 500 feet. T' delay was good but t' flight was underpowered. Avast! Well, me bucko, blow me down! This is an F powered rocket.

Recovery:
I used a 24" paper parachute for this flight. Begad! Aye aye! T' recovery was good, but it landed in a stream. Avast, me proud beauty! By t' time I got t' it, it be soaked beyond repair. Avast! Avast!

Summary:
This was a fun rocket t' build. Begad! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' price was right and its nice t' do somethin' unusual.

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