Construction Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Manufacturer: | U.S. Rockets |
Brief:
Basic two-stage model rocket using CHAD staging with streamer recovery.
Construction:
The packaging includes BT-7 (18mm) airframe, BNC-7 nose cone, Screw Eye, six
1/16" plywood fins (booster and sustainer), shock cord/shock cord mount,
streamer, launch lug, instructions, and report on Clustering and Staging.
If you've built any two-stage rocket before you could build this kit. The instructions are concise and to the point. If this is your first two-stage kit the instructions might be too concise leaving you with a few questions. But all-in-all the instructions and diagrams are adequate for this skill level 1 - 2 kit.
Finishing:
The average builder should have no problems putting this kit together. One
thing this kit does not include is a motor block for the sustainer. I would
suggest adding one so an 18mm motor extends 1/4" beyond the rear of the
airframe. This kit does include 1/16" plywood fins which I happen to like.
Although it may add slightly more weight to the finished model, I like the
durability of plywood and it is certainly easier to finish/paint. The kit is
supposed to include a decal but mine did not.
Construction Rating: 3 out of 5
Flight:
I flew this rocket as a single stage for the first flight with a friction fit
B4-4 motor and a 12" sport parachute for recovery. I used this
configuration for my NARTREK Bronze parachute duration requirement and had a
flight time of 79 seconds. The second flight was the standard two-stage
configuration using a B6-0 in the booster and an A8-5 in the sustainer with
streamer recovery. The CHAD staging worked perfectly and the flight was
straight up with a safe recovery. I used this flight for my NARTREK Bronze
Two-Stage Flight requirements.
[NOTE: I believe this kit could help you meet 3 of the 4 NAR NARTREK Bronze requirements: Streamer Duration, Parachute Duration and Two-Stage Flight.
Recovery:
The kit is designed for streamer recovery and I would recommend this for most
flights. I used a 12" sport parachute for the single stage flight only to
meet the NARTREK Bronze parachute duration requirement.
Flight Rating: 4 out of 5
Summary:
The Record Breaker is fairly easy to put together and flies well on the
recommended motors (be sure to use shorter delays for single stage flights).
Streamer recovery is preferred for most flights although you can use a small
parachute for single stage flights if you prefer (but is not included in kit).
I think the kit should include an engine block for the sustainer and again mine
did not come with a decal. I would recommend the Record Breaker for anyone
looking for a simple two-stage kit that is durable enough to hold up for many
flights.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
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R.T.P. (March 11, 2006)