Scratch USA Gymnastics Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - USA Gymnastics {Scratch}

Contributed by Alex Rothchild

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Alex Jordan - 01/06/05) (Scratch) USA Gymnastics rocket

Brief:
This is a single stage, ya bilge rat, scratch built rocket with six fins, 24mm motor mount, and 3/16 launch lug. Well, blow me down! Avast! It can hold up t' a F21-8. Blimey! It is painted yellow, ya bilge rat, arrr, orange, and black along with a big USA Gymnastics sticker on it since I built it for my sister, me hearties, who is a gymnast. Arrr!

Construction:
I used all Estes components. T' parts list:

  • 1 14" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 3" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 BT-80 tube coupler
  • 1 NC-80
  • 1 24mm motor mount for BT-80
  • 1 18" chute
  • 1 1/4" x 48" inch shock cord
  • 2 3" x 12" x 3/16" balsa sheets
  • 1 plastic straw (used as a launch lug)

This was a simple rocket t' build. It consisted o' buildin' a traditional 24mm motor mount (centerin' rings, me hearties, MM tube, engine hook, me bucko, engine block, and paper ring). Well, blow me down! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Once those were on, I used t' Estes body tube markin' guide (a MUST have) t' make six lines on t' BT. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I then cut out two different fin patterns and positioned t' fins around t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I glued them on and applied t' usual fillets. Ahoy! T' fins were surface mounted. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey! I then glued t' tube coupler into t' 3" BT-80 tube and t' nose cone on t' other end. Blimey! The shock cord be connected t' t' upper centerin' rin' and t' t' nose cone. Aye aye! The chute was connected t' t' shock cord. I then used regular straws for launch lugs.

Finishing:
I primed it with Rustoleum and painted it yellow, orange, arrr, and black. Blimey! Aye aye! I put a USA Gymnastics sticker on it.

Flight:
This rocket has flown once on a D12-3. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! It was a great flight t' about 1000 feet. T' delay could be a bit longer though. Ya scallywag! Avast! It got scratched up a lot on landin' and popped a fin. Ahoy!

Recovery:
Ejection was right at apogee. Begad! T' 18" chute inflated and t' rocket drifted about 100ft down field.

Summary:
I think this is a great rocket. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! It came out well and flies great on 24mm engines. T' next flight is planned for a D12-3.

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