BT-60 U.S.S. Atlantis with canted cluster mount

[Fishhead]

I picked up a Deuce-style engine mount from the Flis Kits booth at NARCON, and then spent two months trying to figure out what to use it in. Inspiration was at a low ebb and I was thinking about a Big Bertha when I realized that I could always upscale an existing design. From there things hit high gear as the U.S.S. Atlantis emerged as the obvious choice.

 

[Fishhead]

The engine mount was an incredibly easy build and even looked good after my butchery. This is a first class piece of work, but when I went looking last night, it wasn't listed as available on the website. Jim?

 

[Fishhead]

An Estes Screaming Mimi was the donor kit for the project. Just needed to find some 1/8" balsa, Kevlar and elastic for the shock cord, and some BT-55 for the pod tubes. At this point I still had people guessing.

 

[Fishhead]

This was the shot that gave it away. In hindsight I would have put the large top piece of balsa on AFTER I had sanded and sealed the pod braces, but I got excited.

 

[Fishhead]

You wouldn't believe the threats it took to get that smile. Pre-teens! SHEESH! (Good thing I have allowance to hold over her head.)

 

[Fishhead]

Couldn't wait to finish it before I tried it out.

 

[Fishhead]

The thing I wanted most out of this project was a launch pic with one of those cool Duece-style exhaust trails. Despite the windy, unpredictable day, I managed this one on a pair of C6-5s.
Progress has since stalled, but so has progress on everything else. I may get some more work done on it tomorrow, but my plans aren't high in the family pecking order.

 

[Fishhead]

Almost forgot this one. Six feet of Kevlar and elastic make for a cool recovery pic.

 

[kelltym88]

That's looks really cool!!! Maybe we should just take all of our favorite rockets and build 'em with the Duece MMT.

 

[richalex2010]

Hey, that sounds like a good idea... maybe an upscale Quark? I'd try it with a Mosquito, but I'd need a Tres MMT (for BT-60)... Mr Flis? Nice rocket!

 

[jflis]

Originally posted by Fishhead
The engine mount was an incredibly easy build and even looked good after my butchery. This is a first class piece of work, but when I went looking last night, it wasn't listed as available on the website. Jim?

yep, i looked into that... when we first announced it, it was going to be a special avail during the Deuce-Bash. We then decided to simply offer it, along with the mini and the maxi, but I neglected to move it from the Deuce Bash pages to the parts section. I will fix that tonight.

jim

 

[jflis]

Great job! I remember commenting when I first saw that launch shot that it reminded me of the star ship enterprise in that ST episode where they go back in time to 1969...

way kewl

 

[BRS Hobbies]

Very nicely done! I have been trying to decide which rocket to build with the Deuce engine mount kit. Definitely a lot of kits to choose from since they come in BT55, BT60 and BT70 sizes. I am surprised that we haven't sold more at the store.

Best regards,
Brian

 

[Kitch]

Jim,

You must have been reading my mind! I thought the exact same thing when I saw that recovery pic

Awesome build, Bill. Looking forward to seeing the eventual finished product!

-Kitch


"This is BlueJay 4...I'm approaching the target"
-Capt. Christopher

 

[DeWain]

Atlantis with a Duece motor mount: great idea. How about a BT-60 Trident with a Tres 3 motor mount?

I might get around to building a Trident clone some time next decade (that building list is growing faster than I can build them).

 

[Fred]

Great looking rocket and nice pictures.
Cheers
fred