1/12 Liberty Bell 7 - NARAM 45 (2003)

Intended for Peanut Sport Scale competition at the NAR's annual National competition (NARAM 45) at Evansville, Il in 2003. The model was withdrawn from competition (withdrawn prior to start of static judging due to a personal matter requiring my return to Houston).

Model was unusual in several ways. First, of course, was its "multimedia" construction, being made mostly of vacuformed and cast plastic resin parts. The engine tubes and the core "stuffer" tube were the only "conventional" model rocket paper tube components. Second, is that it was a "spacecraft" and not really a "rocket" (Sport Scale rules allow for spacecraft). Third was that it qualified as a "Peanut" scale model because it falls under the maximum allowed length for Peanut Sport Scale competition...but it also qualifies as a "Giant" Sport Scale model because its diameter exceeds the minimum required for Giant Sport Scale competition AND it qualifies for regular Sport Scale. Lastly, it qualifies (though arguably) for Plastic Model Conversion in that the model was marketed as a plastic/resin display model and was flight converted.

The overall weight of the model, with motors, was just shy of five ounces. It was intended to fly on three 13mm A3-4 motors canted so that their thrust lines pass through the center of gravity.

Click on image to see enlarged image.

"Ready-to-Fly" on its display stand for static judging. The model utilizes three 13mm motors firing from scale positions in the retro pack.	Electrical connections and Retro Retention Strap detailing. Cables made of twisted strands of polyester cord.	There is both an inner and outer "glass" pane on the model. Both are held by double-faced tape to avoid chemical hazing of clear plastic.
Bulging panel covering the port roll thrusters. The panel over the starboard thrusters does not bulge.	Antenna and sensor section. "Destabilizer flap" not installed. The white hole in the center is for centerline passage of launch rod.	Retropack and retention strap detail. Hole in center of pack is for launch rod.
The overlapping shingles are part of the very thin cabin resin casting. The washers and "screws" are cast as part of each shingle.	A bit better view of the better elements of the conical cabin. The decals are made on an ALP printer and VERY carefully pressed into and over details.