Height=51"
Width=2.6"
Weight=4.3oz
Motor=24mm

Brief
This rocket looks like a NASA/Saturn style rocket. It is very stable. On D12's, flies low and slow, but on E15's goes like a banshee!

Construction
Relatively easy to build. You have to make sure your home made transitions are good and straight. I used 3/16 balsa for all the transitions and motor mounds. I didn't want it to rip apart with a composite motor. I know the bottom half is sturdy because it hit the ground after separating itself from the shock cord. (Can you say not enough wadding?)

The separation point is at the BT60-BT50 transition. I glued the 3/16 balsa centering rings on the small tube, and let them slide in the BT60. I used 4 wedge shaped standoffs glued to the BT60 to hold the upper section for flight. I thought they might get in way of the parachute and I trimmed them down to about 1/16" think. Plenty to hold the upper section from sliding down into the lower section, and it doesn't get in the way of the ejecting parachute.

I was in need of ideas for painting the rocket, so I thought what the heck. Instead of just making it look like every other rocket, I decorated it for a local radio station and a funny guy they have on it. If you're not from St, Louis, you won't care about the decorations, I just thought they needed some explanation.

Flight
I recommend Estes D12-5's and Aerotech E15-7's. It depends on the kind of flight you want. The rocket separates in the middle, wadding is inserted, and then the parachute. I had made a 24" nylon parachute with a swivel that connects almost half way down the shock cord on a loop. Recovery is smooth (if not a little slow for some). On the D12, it flies incredible straight. On the E15 it cones a little. A half ounce in the nose won't hurt much. Its flights remind me of my Estes Phoenix. Low and slow. It goes a little higher than the Phoenix, but it looks glorious.

It has made 8 beautiful flights in two days!

Summary
I love flying this rocket. It barely beats my Phoenix in a drag, but still has that "slow heavy" feel to it. The bad part is I can hear some motor crud rattling around in the lower section that is real hard to get out from the homemade BT80-BT60 transition. I doubt it will matter in the long run, but I still don't care for it.