Skylark sounding rocket

thingiverse

The Skylark sounding rocket was a cutting-edge British suborbital platform engineered for high-altitude experiments. Launched initially in 1955, the Skylark soared through the skies a total of 441 times before its final flight in 2005. This detailed model is a scale replica of the Skylark sounding rocket, condensed to 1/20th its original size. Over its remarkable lifetime, the Skylark flew with various boosters and diverse payloads. This particular model showcases the Skylark's configuration, featuring a Raven rocket motor, a massive 5-meter payload, a Goldfinch booster, and the earlier Cuckoo booster. A comprehensive history of the Skylark is meticulously documented in Robert H. Brand's outstanding book "Britain's First Space Rocket: The Story of the Skylark." This authoritative tome served as a vital reference for this model, which I highly recommend to enthusiasts (please note that it's a substantial volume!). For assembly, use 15mm lengths of 1.75mm filament alignment pins to secure the nosecone to the payload and the two Raven motor halves together. Attach the fins firmly to the Skylark and Cuckoo bodies. Next, glue the interstage to the top of each booster and the payload coupler. The remaining parts feature push-fit connections, allowing for easy swapping or gluing into place for a static model. A 5mm mounting rod can be inserted through the center hole to create a sturdy stand for display purposes. The accompanying parts drawing illustrates each component, along with file names and their precise positions within the model.