Rogue Aerospace Interdictor
- Length:
- 34cm / 13.5"
- Diameter:
- 26cm / 10"
- MMT:
- 18mm
- Status:
- Flown
Comments:
The Rogue Aerospace Interdictor is a rocket which looks like a futuristic space-plane, but sadly now is OOP. Despite looking like a plane, it takes off and recovered by chute just like any normal rocket. Don't expect it to glide!
The kit ships with some very good quality components for a rocket this size. The parachute is a very high quality ripstop nylon, and the shockcord is partly steel wire and partly kevlar, although I understand some kits shipped with an all kevlar shockcord. This kevlar/wire shockcord is affixed directly to the 18mm motormount assembly, which is the first part to construct and install in the main airframe. Also included is a 4inch square of reusable 'permawadding', but I found this awkward to use in such a narrow diameter rocket. Maybe I am doing something wrong?
The main body of the spaceplane is made from 1x 24mm tube and 2x 18mm tubes, which are precut with angled ends to look like air intakes. Underwing fueltanks are each made from a short section of 13mm tubing, with 2 balsa nosecones. Once the MMT/Shockcord assembly has been built, this is installed into the main airframe. The 2 side tubes can then be attached to the main tube. You can reverse these steps if you wish, depending on how fiddly you like things.
You certainly get value for money in the fin department too. Firstly there are 2 main wings, which attach to the side tubes. Then there are 2 dorsal and 2 ventral fins, which also affix to the side 'air-intake/engine' tubes.
Attached to the main wings are 2 wing-tip laser cannons, and the 2 underwing fueltanks. I thought that these might be a bit fragile, so I used epoxy rather than wood glue. However, in hindsight, all this does is make the balsa the weakspot, and not the glue. I'd rather have a laser cannon fall off, which can be replaced by a section of kebab skewer, than snap the balsa nearby. However, I have not had any problems when flying or transporting it yet.
The first 3 flights have all been on a B6-4, mainly because I had an excess of them in my range box. I'd rather use them up flying a cool model like this. B6-4 is a nice straightforward motor, that virtually guarantees it will recover in a small field. I may try a C6 next time.
Flight Log:
| Flt. | Date | Location | Motor(s) | Impulse | Recovery | Comments |
| 1 | Aug 2001 | Largs IRW | B6-4 | 5 Ns | 'Chute | 'chute melted partially |
| 2 | Aug 2002 | Largs IRW | B6-4 | 5 Ns | 'Chute | Nosecone detached, but recovered OK |
| 3 | Aug 2004 | Largs IRW | B6-4 | 5 Ns | 'Chute | Nice flight |
| 4 | Aug 2007 | Largs IRW | B6-4 | 5 Ns | 'Chute | Beautiful flight |
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