Brief:

This is a staged version of one of my favorite rockets called "Fiddle Faddle" adapted from plans I found on the internet years ago. I have modeled this design in RockSim, and while the 3D image doesn't look like the actual model as per the box fin, it does give reasonable approximations for altitude.

Construction:
The parts list:

• 2 3" sections of BT-20
• 1/16" and 1/8" balsa for fins
• Estes PNC20 nosecone
• 1/8" launch lug
• paint/finishing material of your choice

Construction is fairly straightforward as this is a tumble-recovery 18mm featherweight bird. I cut the body tubes 2-¾" long. The fins are cut from 1/16" balsa for the upright fins and 1/8" for the box fin.

The upright fins are glued in place at 90-degree intervals. 45-degree bevels are sanded at the ends of the box fin where they meet to form the corners. The bottom of the upright fin is also sanded to an angle to fit into the base corners. The box fin is then glued to the bottom of the uprights. A launch lug is glued into a fin/BT joint and fillets are applied to all joints. The nosecone is glued into place atop the sustainer.

Finishing:
For painting, I just use paint pens without bothering to fill the balsa fins.

Flight:
First flight was on a B6-0/A8-3 combo for a straight up boost with staging right on cue.

Second flight on B6-0/B6-6 for another straight up boost staging a bit early as the booster slipped off the motor.

Third flight C6-0/A8-5 for yet another straight up boost with staging right on cue.