Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Ya scallywag! 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. Begad! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". Well, blow me down! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, however, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, shiver me timbers, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! These can be seen in t' first photograph. Begad! For t' motor mount, I drilled a 6mm hole, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. 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. Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, shiver me timbers, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Begad! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, me hearties, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Blimey! Avast!

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

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