Scratch - Gooneydent {Modification}

Modified Excelsior Rocketry Gooneydent Modification

Scratch - Gooneydent {Modification}

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Published:	2010-12-07
Manufacturer:	Scratch

Brief

Only a small amount of modification was made to the original goodydent. The vent tubes were situated higher on the bottom bodytube. The recovery system was changed slightly.

Components

A steel fishing leader was added to the middle nosecone as an anchor for the shock cord. The shock cord was lengthened to 4 foot and a snap swivel was added to the parachute attachment. The mosquito nosecones that would have been on the rear of the venting tubes were replace with the bases of two part nosecones. The ends were filled flat.

Construction

The components were the same as the original goonydent, except that three mosquito nosecones were removed, a steel fishing leader was added, the paint scheme was changed.

Finishing

As this goonydent would not be having the decals added, I opted to paint the entire rocket one colour; a pink/purple.

Flight

There is little difference in the flight performance between the original and the modified rocket. Except of course that this one did not explode in mid air. It's been up in the air on three occasions, and with the exception of a motor failure, it has flown perfectly straight, and quite high on a D given how much drag there is in the design.

Recovery

Despite the venting of the gases which should prevent and scorching of the parachute, I still add a few sheets of wadding, just to be on the safe side. A 12 inch parachute brings her down at a quick pace, but I don't like to walk long distances