Brief:
This is a scratch built model that I built for an Aerotech 24/40 reload case.

Construction:
I got most of the components from an Estes Patriot model. I used two 7 inch long body tubes, a 4:1 ogive nose cone, and balsa stock to cut my fins. I made my own plywood centering rings for a 24mm motor mount. I started by cutting my own fins out of 1/8 inch balsa stock and epoxying them to the body tube. I then made the motor mount out of the plywood centering rings and epoxied the assembly to the inside of the body tube assembly. There was some flame-retardant pink string laying around, so I made an 8 inch section of that and epoxied into the tube, right above the motor mount. That is the permanent shock cord anchor string with a loop in the end so I can change out shock cords quickly. The coupler was friction fit into the booster section for an 'anti-zipper' method. The rest is pretty much straightforward.

PROs: cheap, high performance flights

CONs: none

Finishing:
I used several coats of white primer and then shot with Krylon florescent orange. Nothing special in the finishing.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I made this rocket for use of my Aerotech 24/40 case. I haven't got around to flying it with that casing yet, but I have flown it several times on Estes black powder motors. For flight one, I use an 18/24 adapter and flew it on a C6-7. Everything worked perfectly. For flight two, I used a C11-7. Again, everything worked wonderfully until it landed. It ended up in a daycare playground. The area had a high fence on it and it was right off of a major road. I decided to climb the fence to get my rocket back. Flight three was at a MC2 monthly launch on a D12-7. Wonderful flight to start off the day.

Recovery:
I used 13 feet of nylon shock cord that I found at a military surplus store. For the parachute, I used a homemade 12 inch parachute made out of a garbage bag. The anti-zipper method worked great.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
PROs: Easy to build, high flights

CONs: none

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5