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Space Derby - Holes in Ship or shorter than 7 inches?

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 11:43 am
by tullspring
How do the rules handle drilling holes in the ship, or shorting the ship to under 7 inches? If being light is the key, wouldnt this make sense?

Re: Space Derby - Holes in Ship or shorter than 7 inches?

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:12 pm
by ah8tk
I wouldn't think of doing either of those options to lighten the ship, especially shortening the ship. If you shorten it you have given up some of your propulsion (taken away some of the stored energy of the rubber bands and you have made the ship more unstable (may be more likely to spin on the line). If you add holes you have given up some of the structural stability of the balsa wood.

Just keep about 1/8” to 1/4"around the rubber band cavity, and maybe add a little style (while keeping it light), and make sure the propeller is assembled correctly and then you will do fine.

Not sure what your scout group’s rules say about either of these options, but neither seem like a good way to lighten the ship.