Big Dawg
Trying to get my oldest daughter into building rockets, she selected this Estes kit.  After I performed the usual modification to the motor mount by attaching kevlar for recovery, she began assembling the rocket.  As it came to pass, I ended up finishing it for her.  I want her to learn the techniques of model building as well as the common tricks used in rocketry, but that must wait for another rocket. 

This one turned out quite nice.  One mod I recommend is using a longer launch lug, or using two short ones fore and aft.  This one seems to want to bind on the rod a little bit. 

We have flown it often on A motors, and it flies quite well on B motors, too.  With its BT-55 airframe, it's just draggy enough that long delays are not needed. A B6-4 or B4-4 works fine.  And unlike many rockets this size, with its drag, the Big Dawg can be flown on C motors without fear of losing it. 

I know that's hardly pushing the envelope, but I hate losing rockets.

Doug's Rockets Homepage

4-18-2004