The Sputnik would be a very appropriate Odd Roc for the Oct 6th SEARS launch since the 50th anniversary of Russian Sputnik flight is on October 4th. This is John Stein’s Sputnik:

Here are instructions from John Stein.

The Sputnik is a four inch diameter styro ball with a BT-20 motor mount that goes all the way through the center of the ball.  A launch rod is used to push a hole adjacent to the motor mount for the launch lug.  You probably don’t even need the lug if your hole is in good shape, but you might want to use a little white glue at the top and bottom to prevent flaking.  The dowels are 20 inches long.

Here’s where I found it:

http://www.dars.org/jimz/eirp_15.htm

I changed the plan and let my motor mount go all the way through the ball.  I also coated the entire exterior with a light weight body filler for R/C aircraft that is safe for foam.  And I have an engine retaining hook, too.  Remember to use white glue and not yellow or CA.  They will attack the Styrofoam.

John Stein

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 5:56 am and is filed under scratch, build. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.