Modification - NASA Goonasus {Scratch}

Kit Bash NASA Goonasus Modification

Modification - NASA Goonasus {Scratch}

Contributed by Steve Lindeman

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2014-05-01
Manufacturer:	Modification
Style:	Goonybird

Brief

NASA Pegasus

One again this is not a kit review of the original NASA Pegasus (Estes Kit #1376) [1982-1986] but another of my many Baby Bertha kit bashes (#12 for those following my Goonyness). All fin patterns and decals came from http://plans.rocketshoppe.com/estes/est1376/est1376.htm. The major difference again being that mine is a Goony version of the NASA Pegasus.

NASA Goonasus

Components

As stated this is a kit bash so the main components came from a Baby Bertha Kit. As a result this is yet another BT-60 based rocket instead of a BT-55 tube as the original was.

From Baby Bertha kit:

1- BT-60 Body Tube
1- PNC-60 Nose Cone
1- Launch Lug
1- Engine Hook
1- Shock Cord
1- Assembled 12" Parachute (transparent orange plastic)
1- Mylar Retainer
1- Green Engine Block
1- Blue Engine Mount Tube
1- Centering Ring Card
1- Balsa Fin Sheet

From my stock pile:

2- Sheets Printer Paper (one for covering balsa and one for printing out new decals)
2- 3 3/4" Yellow Engine Spacer Tubes (from prior Estes kits)
1- Extra Launch Lug
1/4 oz. Modeling Clay (for nose weight)

Construction

Construction was per instructions and presented no problems with the only Con: having been to redraw and cut out the new fins from one of the sheets of balsa from the Baby Bertha kit. This was done after balsa was gone over first with HobbyLite to fill all laser cuts and then sprayed with 3M Adhesive glue and covered with a sheet of printer paper.

Finishing

Finishing was standard two coats of Rust-Oleum 2x White Primmer with light sanding between coats followed by two coats of Krylon Gloss White. Decals were then printed out and first clear coated on printed side. Then when dried white primed on back side. After dried decals were cut out and attached with a glue stick. After making sure all were attached firmly rocket got two coats of Krylon Clear Gloss to seal them on. The only Con: was having to spray paint the inside of the two yellow spacer tubes with out the paint running.

NASA Goonasus shot1

NASA Goonasus Glamour Shots

NASA Goonasus shot2

Construction Score: 5

Flight

Maiden flight was on 06-20-10 at a S.M.A.S.H. club launch and was another perfect flight for yet another of my Gonnies. Rocket was fast off the pad going straight up.

Recovery

Parachute was deployed shortly past apogee with a good decent. No damage on recovery

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

This was one of the easiest kit bashes that I've done so far. Yet another great addition to my growing Goony fleet and another rocket that I need to clone so that I have both as I love its design.

Overall Rating: 5