First Flight Hobbies A-Corn

First Flight Hobbies - A-Corn {Kit} [?-?]

Contributed by Charlaine Cadence Nordin

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: First Flight Hobbies
Style: Odd-Roc

ffh_cornonthecobBrief:
The smallest of the Corn on the Cob shaped oddroc collections by First Flight Hobby. This rocket once complete is really cute and fun. Promises to be a head turner and also a great flyer.

Construction:
The parts include:

  • One styrene foam corncob
  • one body tube
  • 13mm tube for mmt
  • engine block
  • (2) centering rings
  • small bag of bb's
  • 8" parachue
  • (2) sheets balsa fin stock
  • Kevlar® shock cord mount
  • elestic shock cord
  • motor hook
  • instructions
  • snap swivel
  • small screw eye
  • noseblock
  • chut reinforcing tapes
  • launch lug
  • bag o bb's with corn husk scraps
  • shroud line
One of the things that really showed me that this company cares about its customers is that each small bag of parts was signed after the parts where placed inside. Also the fact that they hand drew the corn when explaining the insertion of the stuffer tube into the corn body. Reading the instructions you almost laugh at the thought and humer put into them at a few points. Well worded and though out and easy to follow. Though I should suggest the fin pattern being on its own sheet.

ffh_cornonthecob_motormountTo build this oddroc, you first need to assemble the engine mount and stuffer tube assembly. After building the engine mount, the instructions say after glueing the cord to the engine mount to feed the Kevlar® cord through the stuffer tube. A better means is to feed the free end into the mmt so that it is hanging out the back then glueing the mount in place. This allows you more control when the time comes to tie the shock cord to the Kevlar®.

ffh_cornonthecob_finChannelsNext part is to carefully cut the four channels into the foam corn for the fins. I used and would suggest a Dremel with a 1/8" cutting wheel attachment on its 2nd to lowest setting while useing a peice of angle iron for a guide. This to give you a good clean cut.

Once that is done, you want to mount the stuffer tube . TEST FIT FIRST! I found I needed to wrap 5 turns of masking tape aroung the middle to get a snug fit before glueing. The next thing you do is sand and fit the nose block. Make sure it fits well enough so theat when you put the cap on it matches with the orientation of the corn.

ffh_cornonthecob_finsUsing 5 or 15 min epoxy glue the block in place (while the block is in the tube so to aide in the alignment). Let the rocket dry NOSE DOWN for a least an hour before going on. While the nose and body are drying, cut out the fins, sealing and sanding until your happy. Leave them natural to match the hust on the corn.

All in all this rocket was one of the most enjoyable build I have done in a while.

Finishing:
The only finishing needed is a touch of flat matt non corrosive paint to protect the rocket and maybe using some epoxy paint on the inner exposed foam to protect it from damage.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
Packing and readying this bird for flight is easy. And she looks great on the pad. Slightly slow at launch but screamed into the air not straight but not unsafe either. She arched and ejected and recovered 20 feet from the pad with no damage

The scond flight was the same except that this time she weather-cocked then corrected to a great flight and normal recovery.

Recovery:
The 8" chute seems fine but I might cut a streamer for windy days. Other than that, recovery is great

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This rocket is a head turner and I feel that it is a must have for anyone who likes small odd rocks or like me just likes to take strange things to the race and fly them while others look at you like your crazy.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other:
Use foam freindly glues and sealers as some epoxy's may melt the stirine.

Other Reviews
  • First Flight Hobbies A-Corn By John Lee (January 17, 2009)

    Brief: I was asked to test 2 oddrocs of similar design, differing only in their size. First I built the Corn Roc, a Styrofoam ear of Indian corn with an 18mm motor mount. Now I am trying its little sibling, the A-Corn, designed for 13mm power. Construction: Construction is very similar to that of the Corn Roc. It begins with making a slit in the motor tube for the engi ...

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