Aerotech - Barracuda {Kit} (89020) [1992-]

Aerotech Barracuda

Aerotech - Barracuda {Kit} (89020) [1992-]

Contributed by Dan Patell

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Diameter:	0.45 inches
Length:	13.00 inches
Manufacturer:	Aerotech
Style:	Sport

Brief:
A single-stage, E-G powered kit with parachute recovery.

Construction:
The kit included a nose cone, two 1.9" body tubes, a tube coupler, shock cord, three fins, two launch lugs and the whole motor mount system.

The instructions were pretty easy to follow, as are the other Aerotech kits I have built (Arcas and Initiator). If you complete the kit per instructions, there shouldn't be any real hassles. The only "gotcha" was putting the back centering ring on straight. With a small diameter tube it is a small problem. Really no biggie if you have some experience.

Finishing:
Finishing this rocket is as simple as any other rocket of its size. I didn't put the decals on, yet they looked nice. I painted mine with black tubes and red fins and nose. Simple but when finished this rocket looks really nice.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I have only flown mine once with ok results. The boost was very stable and high on the Aerotech E23-5T reload. A great motor for the Barracuda.

Recovery:
Deployment came at apogee, perfect chute and an ok descent rate. The rocket landed in a parking lot, scratching the paint and breaking the tip off a fin. A larger chute could be used, but I think it would be fine if it hadn't landed in the parking lot.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
Pro's: easy construction, stable flier. Con's: descent rate on stock chute

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews

Aerotech Barracuda By Alejandro Bulaevsky
Brief This is a single stage, easy to build rocket. It is a big rocket that files on E through G motors. Construction All of the parts were there and in good condition. They were made out of high quality cardboard and plastics. The instructions were easy to follow and the assembly order was easy. It all fit well and was a snap. My only problem with it was that it was too easy to build. I ...

Flights

Comments:

D.S. (September 1, 1999)

This is a VERY EASY kit to build. The 3 snap in fins can be a little bit of a pain, but work well. I added a filet of epoxy w/ microballoons for better aesthetics and more strength. The nose cone was not quite optimal. There were imperfections in the molding of my NC. Nothing major. A (very) little bit of FNF and a little sanding, and it was fine. Comes down pretty quick, but the fins are study enough to handle it.

J.C. (June 1, 2000)

My decals were inserted into one of the body tubes. Somehow the decal started to peel away and got stuck inside the tube. I damaged the decal sheet taking it out. I called Aerotech and they said they had seen it before and sent me a new sheet. I got the sheet even before I finished the rocket. Thank you Aerotech! The coupler tube on mine needed to be sanded before it slid easily into the lower section. I messed up during assembly and one fin is not locked in place. The super glue had set before I realized what happen. I think it will still fly OK, however. I had a very hard time getting the fins to snap in until I saw some plastic molding humps on the side of the fin. Sanding all the fin surfaces that make contact with the engine mount made the fins snap in better. I haven't flown this rocket yet.

D.P. (March 1, 2001)

Another great Aerotech kit. The long, sleek design makes for a great rocket to fly on a wide variety of motors. I have only flown mine on the E23 once, but am still happy for its performance.

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