(by John Meckley)
This is a fairly simple kit to put
together -- basic through-the-wall fin mounting and single body tube/nose cone
construction. This kit has a "piston"-type ejection system and since
the body tube is relatively short in relation to the forward end of the tapered
fins, there's really no opportunity to use the "zipperless design"
that I favor. However, the piston system works very well. Since the fins are
G10 fiberglass, sanding the edges is quite labor-intensive. Also, when mounting
the motor tube/centering ring, you need to be VERY aware that you position the
piston strap (which is epoxied to the motor tube) BETWEEN the fin slots,
otherwise you'll have to sand and sand and sand the root of the fin that's
going into that slot!!!! You'll have to add no less than 3 oz. of nose weight
to bring the CG forward since the CP is 30" from the nose and the CG is
less than 1 caliber (the length of the tube diameter... 4" in this case)
away. When I flew it, I added Greg's beeper/locator which weighs about 3 oz.
and it could have used about 1 or 2 oz. more... just a suggestion. Otherwise,
this kit is big, fun and impressive in the air. Have fun with it, I highly
recommend it! :)
B.O'B. (January 1, 2001)