Brief:
A EXTREMELY large 3 x 24mm model rocket. The Richter Recker measures in at 92.2 inches, or seven feet, eight inches tall! FlisKits says it is the largest model rocket you can fly without having to get a NOTAM, since when you build it stock it weighs in at 15.9 ounces! I build mine on the heavy side, but that's kind of my technique!

Construction:
LOTS of rocket in a bag is an understatement! There are FIVE 17.5 inch BT-70 (2.217 OD) tubes, 3 phenolic couplers, 1 balsa nose block, FOUR big sheets (9"x4") of 3/16 inch balsa, a nice ogive balsa nose cone, and many other miscellaneous parts that you would expect in a model rocket (launch lugs, screw eyes, shock cord, etc.)

As I started construction, I kept reading on The Rocketry Forum (TRF) about how cool it would be to fly this rocket on three Aerotech F21-8 motors. I set out with the intention of building this rocket in this way by fiberglassing the entire rocket and using epoxy throughout. I started working on this but then realized how expensive that kind of flight would be! So I decided not to after already fiberglassing the fins, and continued construction stock.

Stock construction is still quite a doozy, if you know what I mean. The Richter Recker is VERY big so you have to be careful as you construct it as your main enemy while building this rocket won't be the instructions, cutting the fins, or anything like that-- try ceiling fans! I know from experience as my nose cone has a little dent in it that looks just like a ceiling fan blade. :)

The motor mount on this rocket uses a very cool system of alignment. Since three 24mm motors fit loosely in the BT-70 tube, FlisKits has you build the motor mount inside a BT-69 body tube that is four inches long. The three 24mm motor mount fit nice and snug inside the BT-69 tube, and after you have filled in the holes, you spread a small amount of glue around the exterior of said BT-69 tube, and insert this entire assembly into the tube. MODIFICATION ALERT: You could build an assembly that would allow you to exchange motor mounts. I would think that you could use a set of screws to keep the motor mount in place while switching out between the default 3-24mm mount and a single 29mm mount.

There are two subassemblies that you build on the Richter Recker.

First off is the booster section, which consists of two body tubes, one coupler, the fins, and motor mount. To make sure the tubes are aligned, you are to apply the glue to the coupler then roll the body tubes on the floor to assure alignment. Finally, you attach the fins. You should give your fins a wedge shape on the edges for increased performance. There are two wide fins and two narrow fins, providing a unique look for this rocket, as I have come to expect from FlisKits!

The upper subassembly consists of the balsa nose block, two couplers, three body tube sections, and the nosecone. This assembly is very long--about 5 feet tall! I found out a new technique as I was coupling the three tube together. I remembered that yellow glue, which is what I used to join the tubes, is water soluble, so when I joined the tubes, all the excess glue that was squeezed out was wiped away with a sponge and some water, providing a very clean joint. You also have to roll the tubes on this section on the floor to assure alignment.

For recovery FlisKits provides two large sheets of clear plastic, which are folded and cut to form a parachute. The technique for doing this seemed a little time consuming and complex to me, so I decided to just use pre-made parachutes, two 22 or 24 inch nylon chutes will be plenty. The shock cords are a little short, about 18 inches, so I used a longer length there as well. I was told by FlisKits that they are short because the rocket comes down in two sections, but I still wasn't sure they would be long enough, which is why I replaced them.

PROs:

• HIGH quality parts
• Great instructions
• Wow. Long rocket!

CONs:

• Short shock cords

Finishing:
I used FIXIT clay to create strengthening fillets on the fins, then covered those over with Fill 'n' Finish for looks. I decided not to fill the tube spirals because in relation to the size of the rocket, you won't notice them unless your nose is touching the tube! I painted the rocket with Krylon, and this made for a pretty finish. I used Pumpkin Orange, Gloss Purple, and Almond. I faded the Orange into the Almond and created a very cool effect! Finishing was easy on this rocket but it does take a while!

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I chose to fly the Richter Recker on three E9-6 motors for it's first flight. Altitude predictions from Rocksim estimate about 1600 feet, however, my RR is built a little heavy so I subtracted 100 feet--1500 feet is still a LONG way up! I prepped the rocket, friction fitting the motors, putting some dog barf in the booster section, and then folded and wrapped the chutes. I installed rail buttons on it, so I loaded the rocket on the rail, hooked up my clip whips, and walked back to the controller. I gave a five count and with a huge roar from the three E9's, the rocket climbed WAY up there! The 3 second burn from the E9's was VERY cool and the rocket had a nice flight. I then prepped the rocket again on three D12-3 motors. As I have come to expect from this rocket, it had a nice, straight flight, yet ejection was before apogee so I would recommend that 3 D12-5s are used instead.

Recovery:
Ejection was right at apogee on the E9-6s and the two 24in chutes brought the two sections down nice and slow.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
In conclusion, this is rocket has an impressive size. The 3 x 24mm cluster is perfect and I think it would fly great on three E15's or similar motors. I recommend that you buy a Richter Recker--it is a very nice rocket that is very cool to see fly!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5