by Chris Kiekens

This project started out pretty simple, and just sort of fell together. I had some left over parts from some other projects, and they just looked like they should be wed. The name came from the original concept..build something small, light, and cheap..to try out an Estes E engine for the first time.
I didn't really expect to see it again...

Parts List

• 2-Estes BT-20 Nose cones (Wizard Type)
• 1-hunka balsa for a BT-50 Nose cone
• 1-BT-50 body tube (13" long)
• 2-BT-20 body tube (4.5" long)
• 2-spare fins included with heatseeker (not intended for use in that kit)
• 1-typical Estes Shock cord
• 1-tube of "super glue"
• 1-18" plastic chute
• 1-1/4" launch lug
• Scrap pieces of balsa...

Construction
The parts seemed to just fall together, I had a basic idea of what I wanted, and I was very pleased with the outcome.
The 1/4" launch lug may seem a bit much, but it fit in with the look very well, and with a strip of 3/4"x1/2" balsa 6"long,added some needed weight to the top of the airframe. Basically, the two BT-20 were glued to the BT-50, offset from the rear by 1/4", and on a flat surface, so that they all attach to the "wing". The "tail" was mounted flush with the rear of the roc, and 4 fins were added between the BT-20, and the BT-50, two on the top, two on the bottom. The left-over Heatseeker fins would be easy to mimic in balsa, but I decided to use what was available. They were mounted flush with the rear of the BT-20. 21 grams of lead was added to the balsa nose cone, to move the CG far enough forward to make it stable on an E and 2 C's.
The shock cord mount was LOC style, using nylon string, and tape/epoxy. A typical Estes shock cord, and 18" plastic 'chute finished it off.

Finishing
Primer-sand-primer-sand-primer-sand-primer-sand-paint-sand-paint-stickers...done
The stickers were left over from several other projects..
Everyone asks "Why Nana?"

Answer:I didn't have enough to spell Na-na-na-na-na..

Flight Report
Oct 23/2001
A beautiful day, NO wind to speak of...great day to lose a rocket! One Shot Deal flew for it's maiden voyage on a D12-5, to an estimated 925 feet..it sure looked high! Ejection occurred just after apogee, the rocket landed 150 feet from the pad, unscathed, except for some heat damage to the paint (minimum diameter rocket..)

I didn't want to fly it again that day, for fear of losing it, and not getting any video to share, but one of my buddies is worse than a 4 year old, and he bugged and bugged..fine up it goes! Second Flight was on an E9-6, to an estimated 1868 feet! I thought it was gone! Great flight, much straighter than on the D, and Out Of Sight! Thank god for the tracking smoke! Who knows when ejection occurred.. I couldn't see it! Again, recovery was without damage, although it did visit a tree briefly. Next flight should be a cluster, and E9 and 2 C's..maybe then I can say goodbye!

Oct 24/2001
Not as nice a day as yesterday, but I was determined to get some launch photos, and a video. Wind was about 20 Kph, so I swapped the chute out for a smaller nylon one, and decided to fly on a D12, rather than an E9. Last DesCon, one of my entries suffered a CATO, this entry is following that lead. Ignition looked fine, but before it could even get off the pad..BOOM Hopefully, I will get it off the ground again.

What is it with these D engines? DesCon CATO (AGAIN!)

As you can see from the flight report, the third flight ended dramatically. I wanted to get some decent pictures for this contest, but I got these... I hope it flys again soon!

I still want to try it on a cluster of an E9 and 2 C6's..