| Model Rocket Review : Priority Stealth by Art Applewhite Rockets |
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The plans for this model rocket kit are available free on the Art Applewhite web site and is built from a Priority Mail box.
Instructions say to use a 6" x 6" x 5" box. At the time, all I had was the larger 12" x 12" x 8", which worked fine. Actually, this larger box was used to create two of the Priority Stealth rockets.
The idea of turning a box, which you probably have from a rocketry order, into a rocket seemed like a lot of fun.
The rocket is also quick and easy to build and is a great flier for smaller fields.
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Parts List
As this is a free online plan, there is no real parts lists as one would have with an actual kit. All you need is a USPS Priority Mail box. Other boxes, of equal strength, may work too.
To build one of these, all you need is a sharp hobby knife and white glue.
Construction
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First, the templates are printed onto some paper and cut out. This will help shape the parts of this flying model rocket.
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The side template is drawn three times, rotating the template 90 degrees between each.
At the bottom left, you can see the lip which will be used to glue the sides together.
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Here you see the sides glued together. I used some clothespins to keep things in place while the glue dried.
Once that glue is dry the bottom and triangular motor mount are glued into place.
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Finishing
I suppose you could paint these, but they look kind of fun "as is". Art Applewhite's instructions do
suggest giving the Priority Stealth two coats of clear enamel to help shield it from moisture.
Flight Data
According to the instructions, the rocket can be flown with any motor with between 20 and 80 Newtons. In other words, E and F class engines. The motor's burnout weight should be 85 grams or less. I assume this is for the autorotation recovery to work correctly.
Be sure to go with those motors. I was foolish enough to try an G64 (forgot about the
recommended motors) and it tore through the rocket. The motor casing took off by itself and could not be recovered. Clearly, this has nothing to do with the rocket, just a really dumb mistake on my end.
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