Brief:
T' SkyScreamer is a scratchbuilt rocket made from an Estes Phoenix motor mount. Arrr! T' name comes from an amusement ride that operated at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, me bucko, me hearties, me hearties, Texas. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' rocket is basically a downscale Estes Der Red Max with full-sized Der Red Max fins.

Construction:
SkyScreamer actually started life as a motor mount for me Estes Phoenix. Begad! Blimey! It is a combination o' scrap from me spare parts box. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' parts are:

• 1 Estes Phoenix engine tube (8" long BT-50)
• 1 Estes Alpha nose cone
• 1 launch lug
• 1 Alpha motor mount
• 1 sheet o' balsa wood for fins
• 1 24" thin elastic shock cord
• 1 12" parachute

Constructin' this mini-bird was very easy. Arrr! Blimey! First, me hearties, I removed all o' t' old parts that made it a motor mount. T' slot for t' engine hook was filled in with Elmer's Fill n' Finish, t' remains o' t' centerin' rings were sanded down t' nothing, and t' engine block be pulled out. Begad! Blimey! I ripped t' motor mount out o' an A.R.V. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Condor that I had messed up on construction. Begad! Blimey! Next, arrr, I cut out t' fins from a sheet o' model airplane quality balsa wood. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! A considerable amount o' this rocket's inspiration came from t' Estes Der Red Max, matey, me hearties, so I gave it oversized Der Red Max-style fins. Lastly, t' shock cord be attached and t' streamer be attached. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! It be then ready t' finish.

Finishing:
T' finish on SkyScreamer is very different from other rockets I've built. Avast! Begad! T' black is nay paint, me hearties, matey, it is actually tape used for model airplanes. It went on very nicely and if applied without any air bubbles, ya bilge rat, it makes an excellent finish. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I only covered t' about 1/4" o' an inch from t' top o' t' fins. Well, blow me down! Begad! Two o' t' fins were covered also. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' rest that I did nay tape was painted Racin' Orange, which is a florescent color. T' idea was t' be able t' spot it in t' air and on t' ground easily.

For t' decal, ya bilge rat, arrr, I found t' old logo t' t' SkyScreamer ride that be at Astroworld and printed it onto OfficeMax bumper sticker paper and carefully cut it out and stuck it on t' side. T' finished rocket looks very impressive.

Flight:
SkyScreamer has flown only once. T' motor used was an A8-3. Well, blow me down! I used 5 sheets o' waddin' and loaded it like a typical rocket. T' rocket shot straight into t' air t' about 200 feet.

Recovery:
T' recovery system was a 50" streamer, which was a major mistake because it came in like a rock and popped a fin off. Aye aye! It can be easily repaired though. I now use a 12" parachute with a spill hole.

Summary:
This was a simple rocket made from junk that can probably be used as a parachute duration rocket if modified slightly.