Hi all.
Since I do demonstrations at a number of elementary schools, I wanted a low flying staged rocket for small fields. The Frick 'n Frack fits the bill since it is a two stage saucer. Somebody even pointed out it can fly on the new A8-0 just fine as well.
I thought I'd pull this kit to the front of the build queue and give it a quick build. Since I plan on finishing with sharpies it should be over before we know it.
After pealing off the wrapper, the lovely parts are exposed. 6 sheets of nicely laser cut balsa, two motor tubes, a thrust ring, a couple of launch lugs, a card stock fin alignment template, and an 8 page instruction book! Eight pages!! I mean really. Jim, can't you leave me guessing and scratching my head a little bit?
Since Jim put so much time into the instructions, I decided to read them thoroughly before ignor___ starting.
The fin alignment template is a very nice addition. The instructions suggest gluing a spent motor casing to the center. Great idea and it worked like a champ. The template is so nice, I think I'll use some spray adhesive and put it on some old foam core and keep it around for other 3 fin rockets.
The fins have a very nice feature which makes the kit almost foolproof. Each of the fins has a little removable tab on it so kind of hangs from the tube while it sets. Great idea and since the geometry of this guy is so exacting, every little cheat helps out.
Unfortunately, the grain of the balsa is exactly in line with the tab. One of tabs popped off accidentally (no really, I didn't bumble it).
I used the template to mark the fin lines and extended them with an aluminum angle.
Since I do demonstrations at a number of elementary schools, I wanted a low flying staged rocket for small fields. The Frick 'n Frack fits the bill since it is a two stage saucer. Somebody even pointed out it can fly on the new A8-0 just fine as well.
I thought I'd pull this kit to the front of the build queue and give it a quick build. Since I plan on finishing with sharpies it should be over before we know it.
After pealing off the wrapper, the lovely parts are exposed. 6 sheets of nicely laser cut balsa, two motor tubes, a thrust ring, a couple of launch lugs, a card stock fin alignment template, and an 8 page instruction book! Eight pages!! I mean really. Jim, can't you leave me guessing and scratching my head a little bit?
Since Jim put so much time into the instructions, I decided to read them thoroughly before ignor___ starting.
The fin alignment template is a very nice addition. The instructions suggest gluing a spent motor casing to the center. Great idea and it worked like a champ. The template is so nice, I think I'll use some spray adhesive and put it on some old foam core and keep it around for other 3 fin rockets.
The fins have a very nice feature which makes the kit almost foolproof. Each of the fins has a little removable tab on it so kind of hangs from the tube while it sets. Great idea and since the geometry of this guy is so exacting, every little cheat helps out.
Unfortunately, the grain of the balsa is exactly in line with the tab. One of tabs popped off accidentally (no really, I didn't bumble it).
I used the template to mark the fin lines and extended them with an aluminum angle.