Brief:
The Mustang is a rugged single stage mid-power rocket. It is easy to construct
and flies on a wide range of motors from D-G. it is a perfect rocket for
someone trying to get into the world of mid-power rocketry.
Construction:
The Mustang consists of a 24mm motor adapter tude, adapter rings, an E spacer
tube, a thrust ring, thrust ring flange, motor tube, motor hook, and fin-lok
rings for 4 fins. it also includes centering rings, fins, cooling mesh, an
ejection gas baffle, screw eye, 6' shock cord, body tude (22 3/4"), launch
lugs, nose cone, decals, parachute, F spacer tube, and instructions. The fins,
centering rings, nosecone, fin-lok rings, thrust ring flange, and gas baffle
are all either composite materials or high impact polymer. The shock cord is
high strength elastic and the cooling mesh is a steel wool type mesh, but less
dense. The airframe appears to be a multi-layer wrap with grooves.
The kit goes together pretty easy. The instructions can get a little bit hard to understand though. Sentences like "push on the centering ring until the front edge of the Fin-lok ring is at the rear-most mark made in step three above" can be a little confusing if this is your first kit. Sometimes its hard to figure out which end is front and what is back. Just take your time and it works out. Other that that the instructions are very easy to follow. Because I used CA I had a couple of issues. First, when attaching the baffle to the motor mount do a test fit without glue after making your slits. Then apply the glue towards the aft end of the baffle. Then insert only the first 1/4" or so into the motor mount just so it won't fall out. Then with one swift motion (I usually gently hit it on a table) push the rest of the baffle shoulder into the motor mount. The CA sets up quick and on my first Aerotech kit I couldn't get my baffle in all the way because I didn't work fast enough. Second, because the airframe diameter is so small it is almost impossible to get a dowel with CA into the tube to make internal fillets. I would recommend using thin Epoxy and letting it drip down inside.
Finishing:
Finishing the body tude was easy. One coat of primer, white paint, mask off,
and gray paint. The nose cone was a problem though. The paint just wouldn't
stick and peeled off when I pulled off the masking tape. I finally got it after
I sanded it with 220 to rough it up a bit. The only downside to the decals is
that you have to cut them out. Otherwise it is easy to finish.
Construction Rating: 4 out of 5
Flight:
I have flown my several times, all very nicely. It flies straight as an arrow
to some respectable altitudes. It doesn't require wadding and prep is pretty
easy. The only problem is that trying to pull back the motor hook to get the
motor in can be very difficult. Sometimes it takes an extra set of hands. I
have flown it on an F25-9W, an E15-7W, and a couple of E23-5T's. All have been
very nice flights and there are no signs of wear on the shock cord. I did
however experience a broken fin when it landed on the street after a tangled
parachute. The fin was easily repaired with epoxy though and it is ready to fly
again, probably tomorrow.
Recovery:
The shock cord, as I said, shows no signs of wear on it. The recovery system is
easy to prep and sufficient if your flying in grassy areas. However, because of
its quick rate of descent if flying over hard surfaces like the desert, upgrade
the parachute size.
Flight Rating: 5 out of 5
Summary:
The rocket is an easy to construct rugged high flying bird. The only set backs
are the rather rapid rate of descent, motor hook difficulties, and a rather
hefty $40.00 price tag (for the overall size).
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Aerotech has long been known to high power rocketeers for their fine motors and sturdy kits, but not too many model rocketeers have used their products. They're a lot more expensive than the average entry level stuff; the Initiator start set isn't cheap (Discount Rocketry has it for a reasonable $115.95), nor is their Interlock Launch Controller if purchased separately (I paid $39.95 for mine, ...
Brief: This is a basic 4FNC kit that flies on 29mm and 24mm motors. Construction: The kit contains one thick body tube with pre-cut fin slots and pre-cut slots for launch lugs, 4 trapezoidal plastic fins with modified double wedge airfoil, 29mm motor mount, 24mm motor adapter, plastic nose cone, long shock cord, and 16" chute. THe kit des not include a payload section. ...
The Mustang is a single stage mid power rocket. The Mustang was my first mid power and first Aerotech kit. I opened the box to find one tube, a 5:1 ogive nosecone, 4 trapezoidal fins, and a beefy motor mount. The centering rings were made of black fiber material, very stiff. The shock cord was about 6' long. The nose was made out of plastic and was tethered to the end of the MMT by the ...
Brief: Modified to incorporate anti-zipper design. Modifications: This modification doesn't require any special tools, however, it does require an Aerotech 1.9" coupler. First, I used a hacksaw to gently cut the airframe into two parts, the lower part of the airframe with the fin slots should be 10.5" long. Then I tossed aside the engine retaining hook and used a 29mm Slimline motor retainer ...
( Contributed - by Andy Tate - 04/10/02) Brief: Single stage mid power parachute recovery kit. Construction: Kit includes 4 "Trapezoidal with modified double wedge airfoil" fins, 1.9" body tube, Aero-Fibre" centering rings, 5:1 ogive nose cone, 6' elastic shock cord, and nylon parachute. This is extremely easy to put together. The instructions are clear ...
The Aerotech Mustang is a Sport model using a 1.9" body tube and is 32" in length. It has a four fin configuration and has been designed to handle motors from the E thru G range. Aerotech kits are like the Cadillac of model rockets and this one is no different. High quality components and rugged yet simple design are what you expect to see when purchasing one of these kits. Thick walled ...
Brief: Good entry level rocket for Mid-Power. There's one on every shelf on every hobby shop in America. Construction: Solid stuff through out. Thick body tube, plastic fins, plastic motor mount cage. It has a baffle and a motor clip. Initially I thought about deleting the motor clip so I could use H motors in it. Typical lack of perspective thought. I'm glad I ...
Sponsored Ads
C.J. (November 1, 1999)