Binder Design Devastator

[SteelyEyed]

I received my new Binder Design "Devastator" shortly after the kit was released in January. I've not had much free time to work on it, so the build has been progressing slowly. However, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been pushing hard to get it finished up and ready to fly for the first launch of the season. I was disappointed when BMR’s season opener was cancelled due to field conditions, but it gave me another week to try and get the project finished (with more wet weather this week, it’s not looking real good for this weekend either). I’m still not done, but the project is in the final stretch. In between filling spirals, sanding, priming, painting, masking and more painting I plan on using this thread to post a few photos of the build (really poor photos because they were taken with my cell phone camera – sorry, but there better than nothing...hopefully).

http://binderdesign.com/store/page2.html

Cheers,
SteelyEyed

[SteelyEyed]

I was not planning a build thread, so I didn't take a lot of photos, but here are a few. I wish I had taken a photo of the packaging straight out of the box. Mike at Binder Designs does a great job with his packaging. The Devastator is one of BD's premium kits, so it comes with a number of components that are not usually included in the typical HPR kit; including a SS chute swivel, rail buttons, a machined aluminum motor retainer, and a premium parachute. The kit has a couple of unique features; the most obvious is the fin design and the fin reinforcements that give it a bit more realistic, military look.

One of the reasons this kit appeals to me is it requires some modeling/building skills and offers a little more challenge to build than your standard 3 or 4FNC rocket. One of my favorite activities with this hobby is building. It was a lot of effort to get the leading and trailing edges of each of the eight fins and fin roots rounded just rights, but it was a labor of love. Here’s a before shot of the fins. They are cut from 3/16" aircraft birch plywood.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator2003.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Here's a shot of the major components... Obviously, at this point I had already completed the fin can.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild058.jpg

[DAllen]

Wait...you're not making some monstrous 2 stage out of this? lol

I am looking forward to seeing this bad-boy done. You do some great work. Speaking of monster 2 stagers, are we going to see you in a few weeks at Three Oaks?

-Dave

[Diosces]

Looks good Steely! Mike makes awesome kits. Looks like it's coming along nicely. You cell phone takes pretty good pic's

I'm building a Devastator also, I had Mike custom part it in all fiberglass for additional costs. Beeeefy rocket. I'll be posting the build thread over at Rocketry Planet in several days. Done with the booster-putting the last pair of 'fin stiffeners' on tonight. Make sure you have at least 5 or 6 clamps for that part. I had to cover the clamp jaws with wax paper so stray epoxy didn't glue 'em to the fins.

I'll be watching this one closely. BTW are you using an Ebay?

[SteelyEyed]

Wait...you're not making some monstrous 2 stage out of this? lol

I am looking forward to seeing this bad-boy done. You do some great work. Speaking of monster 2 stagers, are we going to see you in a few weeks at Three Oaks?

-Dave

Dave,
The upscaled, two-stage version is on the drawing board, it includes a Devastator booster section, but the sustainer is still classified... :cool:

Seriously, I wish I was returning to Three Oaks again this year. My son and I had a great time last year. Say hi to Terry Leright for me...

Cheers,
Bret

[SteelyEyed]

Looks good Steely! Mike makes awesome kits. Looks like it's coming along nicely. You cell phone takes pretty good pic's

I'm building a Devastator also, I had Mike custom part it in all fiberglass for additional costs. Beeeefy rocket. I'll be posting the build thread over at Rocketry Planet in several days. Done with the booster-putting the last pair of 'fin stiffeners' on tonight. Make sure you have at least 5 or 6 clamps for that part. I had to cover the clamp jaws with wax paper so stray epoxy didn't glue 'em to the fins.

I'll be watching this one closely. BTW are you using an Ebay?


Diosces,
Mike told me he did a custom FG version of the Devastator, so you're the guy. It sounds like yours will be bullet proof. Post some pics, please. And keep us posted on the flight.

Yes, my fin stiffeners are done and indeed it did take 6 or 8 clamps (I'll will post some more pics tonight). Finishing all the resulting fillet areas was a bit time consuming too, but the final product looks really cool. As you know, since you have one, pictures don't do this rocket justice. You really need to see it in person to fully appreciate the design. I added the fin stiffiners to this design to give it a more realistic (and a bit "brutish") appearance and make it more interesting to build. It does look like it belongs under the wing of a fighter jet...

To answer your question, I have the BD Ebay for it, but I don't intend to use it right away. As you will see when I post some more pics, I modified the kit to be a zipperless, baffled arrangement and utilize the nosecone volume to hold the laundry. When I convert it to DD I will have to customize the Ebay accordingly.

Bret

[DAllen]

Seriously, I wish I was returning to Three Oaks again this year. My son and I had a great time last year. Say hi to Terry Leright for me...


D'OH! I was getting you and Terry mixed up. Sorry! Now I remember - you were the one that flew out from Washington to see that monster M to M that Terry flew. And yes, you make some really cool stuff too!

That ring-fin rocket on the J last year was sweet. Except for the skipping across the gravel road part. Guys in our club still talk about that flight...lol. Did you ever figure out what went wrong with that?

-Dave

[SteelyEyed]

D'OH! I was getting you and Terry mixed up. Sorry! Now I remember - you were the one that flew out from Washington to see that monster M to M that Terry flew. And yes, you make some really cool stuff too!

That ring-fin rocket on the J last year was sweet. Except for the skipping across the gravel road part. Guys in our club still talk about that flight...lol. Did you ever figure out what went wrong with that?

-Dave

_____________________

Yes, I am the designer of the GLR Nuclear Sledgehammer, Terry was the builder (he also designed the booster section). My son and I were there because I wanted to see that M to M badboy do its thing. And it was truly a spectacular flight.

As for my other design... it WAS (still is) my favorite ever. I think it's probably the most beautiful rocket I've designed. After I got home I looked at video of the flight. It appears that the motor sputtered and did not come up to full thrust as it left the rail. As you recall, it was perfectly stable as it (horizontally) roared past the concession stand, the motorhome, and the Cub Scouts and over the road to dig that trench in the adjacent corn field. :eek: Before the flight I balanced the rocket on my hand and demonstrated the CG/CP relationship for the RSO. We both agreed it had a 1.5+ margin of stability. RockSim showed it to have >2.0 stability margin with that motor. I plan to build another one one of these days...

[DAllen]

Ahhh...that makes sense. With that big ol' ring on the back combined with the fins I couldn't understand how in the world it would be unstable. That was a Pro38 J330 - right? If so, I can't say I have ever seen one do that.

-Dave

[SteelyEyed]

It was a CTI J295. I've not seen a CTI motor do that before either.

[SteelyEyed]

When you just can't wait and you absolutely have to put it together and see what it's gonna looks like... here's a photo of the obligatory dry fit. Note that for this design there are the "fin stiffeners" that were mentioned above. They are not picutered yet.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild056.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

I departed from the standard instructions and made a couple of modifications to this kit. One of the mods was I converted it to a zipperless, baffled configuration. This photo shows the top of the coupler tube with the bulkhead baffle and the u-bolt installed.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild069.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Here's the aft end of the coupler/baffle assembly.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild070.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Another (less significant) modification that I made to the kit is pictured below. If you look closely at the two centering rings on the fin can, you can see two small mounting blocks epoxied to the forward side of each ring. When the fin can is installed in the airframe I will use wood screws to securely attach the rail buttons to these blocks. You can also see in the photo the fairly beefy, milled fiber/aeropoxy fillets on the fins. If you look a little more closely you can see that I rounded the leading and trailing edges of the fins and the fin roots. The machined aluminum motor retainer is a standard feature on this kit.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild059.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Here's a photo of the step that Diosces was referring to. To accomplish this step one needs of number of clamps to hold things together until the epoxy sets up. The most unique feature on this kit is the "fin stiffeners" pictured below. They certainly are not needed for strength or anything, I just added them to give the design some "texture" or some character.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild071.jpg

[DAllen]

2 questions:

1. I really like the fin stiffener look. It totally adds to that aggressive military look without over doing it. What material is the stiffener made of?

2. What did you use to bevel your fins?

Looking good!

-Dave

[SteelyEyed]

2 questions:

1. I really like the fin stiffener look. It totally adds to that aggressive military look without over doing it. What material is the stiffener made of?

2. What did you use to bevel your fins?

Looking good!

-Dave

_________________________________

Dave,
The fin stiffeners appear to be made of medium density fiberboard. The material is significantly lower cost than aircraft plywood and easy to work with. I will post some closeup shots later on so you cant see some of the detail. (CORRECTION - see below, the stiffeners are made of double tempered masonite)

To put the rounded edges on the fins I used nothing more than a variety of sandpapers, a small sanding block, and one of those sanding sponge thingys. It took me a lot of time and patience, but I am extremely please with the way they turned out.

Bret

[SteelyEyed]

Here's a closeup shot of one of the aft fins and stiffeners after I had completed the fillets and primed it for painting.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator2001.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Not sure what happened with this photo, there's a funky lighting/shadow thing going on, but you can see a little more detail of the fins assemblies. And you can better appreciate the effort it took to round the leading and trailing edges of the fins...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator2002.jpg

[Diosces]

_________________________________

Dave,
The fin stiffeners appear to be made of medium density fiberboard. The material is significantly lower cost than aircraft plywood and easy to work with. I will post some closeup shots later on so you cant see some of the detail.

To put the rounded edges on the fins I uses nothing more than a variety of sandpapers, a small sanding block, and one of those sanding sponge thingys. It took me a lot of time and patience, but I am extremely please with the way they turned out.

Bret

The fin stiffeners I have appear to be heavy duty masonite. I concur that they prolly contribute little to structural integrity however they add a very 'robust' and unique appearance to the rocket. I'd like to think they help break up any harmonics during a mach transition.

Bret
Looks awesome. Very nice airfoil edges. I left my edges square. I'll post a pic of mine later or tommorrow for comparison

[SteelyEyed]

The fin stiffeners I have appear to be heavy duty masonite. I concur that they prolly contribute little to structural integrity however they add a very 'robust' and unique appearance to the rocket. I'd like to think they help break up any harmonics during a mach transition.

Bret
Looks awesome. Very nice airfoil edges. I left my edges square. I'll post a pic of mine later or tommorrow for comparison

_____________________________

Diosces,
You're right, the stiffeners are made of masonite. Mine are made of the same stuff that yours are. I talked to Mike, he said they are made of double tempered masonite.

Obviously, it would be much more difficult to round the edged of your G-10 fins.

[SteelyEyed]

One last modification that I made to the standard kit included cutting off the back of the nosecone. Because I converted to a zipperless, baffled configuration, I use the volume within the nosecone to hold the laundry. I fabricated a small bulkhead to which I attached a SS screw eye.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild066.jpg


And then I used JB Weld to epoxy the bulkhead into the front of the nosecone (the photo below is a dry fit of the bulkhead in the nosecone). Before I applied the JB Weld, I roughed up the inside of the nosecone in the area where the bulkhead is, in order to get it bonded well.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/DevastatorBuild067.jpg

[Binder Design]

The fin stiffeners I have appear to be heavy duty masonite. I concur that they prolly contribute little to structural integrity however they add a very 'robust' and unique appearance to the rocket.

They probably won't add too much extra strength to your fiberglass version, but they do stiffen up the plywood and paper version a lot. I imagine in a crash, the fins will break above the stiffeners rather than at the BT joint. One of the prototype versions I didn't even bother with fillets since the fin stiffeners take care of that nicely.

Mike Fisher

[Binder Design]

Here's a closeup shot of one of the aft fins and stiffeners after I had completed the fillets and primed it for painting.



Oooo pretty! Good thing I didn't take close-up shots of the ones I built because they are not nearly as nice.

Mike

[SteelyEyed]

Oooo pretty! Good thing I didn't take close-up shots of the ones I built because they are not nearly as nice.

Mike

Thanks for the encouraging words Mike. I decided to go with the same paint scheme that you did. The metallic silver and metalic blue. Here's a similar closeup after the silver paint was done. I'm working on the blue today...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator3004.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

I took a different approach with my nosecone. I only did the tip in blue to make it a bit more military-looking (not that I've ever seen a real weapon system with metal-flake paint)...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator3001.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

Although, I HAVE seen a real weapon system with the the tip of the nosecone looking similar to my paint job...

[snaquin]

Looks great ..... nice job!

I've taken a liking to the Rustoleum Metallic paints recently myself. That blue looks great on your Devastator.

I pained a Lil Nuke a while back with the charcoal gray and really liked the effect.

.

[SteelyEyed]

Looks great ..... nice job!

I've taken a liking to the Rustoleum Metallic paints recently myself. That blue looks great on your Devastator.

I pained a Lil Nuke a while back with the charcoal gray and really liked the effect.

.

_______________________

Thanks for the positive feedback. Yes, Rustoleum certainly is my favorite brand of rattle-can paint. Of course, I wish my local Home Depot or Lowes carried more colors. I particularly like the new spray trigger on the "Universal" surface formula paint. It is way easier to use and doesn't leave my "trigger" finger numb on the end...

[Conan4480]

Ooooo, B61. I remember those days. I think I have a few pics laying around of when I was in 2W2 school.

[SteelyEyed]

Here's a closeup of the fins with the metallic blue paint finished. I also attached the rail buttons. All I have left to do is put the vinyl graphics on it. I plan on doing that this evening. Right now the weather is too nice to be indoors... gotta go get some sunshine!

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevColor001.jpg

And another view...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevColor002.jpg

[Pantherjon]

Awesome finish! I love the Rustoleum metallic paints! I used the Rustoleum Metallic Blue on my Thor when I rebuilt the upper section and it turned out awesome! Can't wait to see a 'complete' shot of the rocket! ;)

[SteelyEyed]

Awesome finish! I love the Rustoleum metallic paints! I used the Rustoleum Metallic Blue on my Thor when I rebuilt the upper section and it turned out awesome! Can't wait to see a 'complete' shot of the rocket! ;)


_____________________________________

Thanks Panther. Mike Fisher told me about Rustoleum metallics, so I gave 'em a try. I had been using a variety of brands, but none that I have tried work as well as Rustoleum. As for seeing the "complete" shot of the Devastator, you'll have to wait a bit longer, the countdown is on hold. Launch Control (my wife) had different plans for me yesterday afternoon, so I never got back to the hobby... and today we're going on a "day hike" (she's training for a marathon and she's dragging me along). My theory is, you only have so many heart beats so you shouldn't waste 'em exercising. You know, "No pain, no pain." By the time I get back (if I make it back), I'll be too weak to peel the backing off the vinyl decals. Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow night.

[SteelyEyed]

Option 1

[Diosces]

Brett, awesome finish. Absolutely gorgeous! It almost looks too good to get scuffed flying ;)

I doubt my level of workmanship in regard to finish detail will measure up to yours but it's something I can strive for. I have most of the Rustoleum metallics but might try my Krylon X-metals ..
Anyways here's what the fiberglass version in build queue looks like

[SteelyEyed]

Brett, awesome finish. Absolutely gorgeous! It almost looks too good to get scuffed flying ;)

I doubt my level of workmanship in regard to finish detail will measure up to yours but it's something I can strive for. I have most of the Rustoleum metallics but might try my Krylon X-metals ..
Anyways here's what the fiberglass version in build queue looks like

________________________________

Thanks for the compliments. Yours looks like it would survive drogue-less tumble recovery. I'm curious to know what the final weight is when you get all done.

Bret

[SteelyEyed]

I finally found some time to finish this thing (I should have been doing my taxes, but there's still time... the launch is this weekend). Like I said above, photos just don't do justice to this rocket, but here's a few shots of the final product.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevFinal007.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevFinal018.jpg

[SteelyEyed]

One more pic...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevFinal019.jpg

[blackjack2564]

Outstanding finishing job! Hope your flights are as good as it looks. Remember on its first flight to do the rocket gods dance and kiss it goodbye for luck.
C J

[init 6]

Beautiful paint job.


What kind of masking tape did you use?

[SteelyEyed]

Outstanding finishing job! Hope your flights are as good as it looks. Remember on its first flight to do the rocket gods dance and kiss it goodbye for luck.
C J

______________________

Thanks for the compliment Blackjack. You know, I don't think I've ever seen the "rocket gods dance" done properly. Maybe that's why my last two rockets that I spent lots of effort on finishing and painting ended up being demolished in crashes. Why don't you video yourself or another appropriately skilled individual doing "the dance", post it on youtube, and show us how it's done? I will, however, make it a point to kiss this rocket goodbye on its maiden flight...

SE

[blackjack2564]

Those unfortunate few that have witnessed this spectacle, were either blinded by it ,or driven insane. Therefore alas, there are no remaining videos of the event.
However FYI ...it resembles the Indian rain dance, done while circling the rocket on the pad and doing rocket type flying gestures and sounds.
When done the rocket is kissed goodbye, and I was returned to my cell in Bellevue......

[SteelyEyed]

Beautiful paint job.


What kind of masking tape did you use?

_______________________

Thanks init 6,
To answer your question, I used the 1/8" wide Pactra masking tape http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/pac/pacmt108.htm for the fine lines and then further masked with 3M Painters Tape (over the trailing edge of the Pactra tape). The Pactra tape worked very well for curving around the tip of the nosecone, it did however, remove some of the silver paint from the nosecone when I pulled the tape off (ARRGGG!). So, I had to do some sanding and re-spraying. Of course, all that extra effort will go to "H-E-double-toothpicks" the first time the nosecone hits the dirt in the alfalfa field. Reminds me of the advice I got from a wise old man back when I married my beautiful (then 19 year old) bride... "take pictures, cause it ain't gonna last."

Bret

[SteelyEyed]

Those unfortunate few that have witnessed this spectacle, were either blinded by it ,or driven insane. Therefore alas, there are no remaining videos of the event.
However FYI ...it resembles the Indian rain dance, done while circling the rocket on the pad and doing rocket type flying gestures and sounds.
When done the rocket is kissed goodbye, and I was returned to my cell in Bellevue......

_________________________

I get it, thank you... makes perfect since now... "Crazy Jim" HAS gone bananas...

[Binder Design]

That turned out awesome! I hope your upcoming flight(s) go well!

Thanks for the build thread showing how the Devastator goes together. As beefy as these things are, everyone who picks mine up comments on how light it is. Should go like a bat out of hell when you finally get to fly it on a K.

I plan on flying one on a 54mm L this season. I also built one with a 75mm mount that I might fly on a slow burn L or baby M. I have no doubt that with the added strength of the fin stiffeners that it will hold together.

Mike Fisher

[Tbone]

This is the first Ive been back to TRF since they vanished . I see you have been busy Brett. Real nice job. Nice design. Is this your third design now out for production. You have quite an imagination when it comes to rockets.
Hope you've been doing well.How is Zack doing? Is he still chasing three girls at once. Havent heard from you guys all year.
Last year You and I discussed a Blackrock project. I actually got around to building it. Started my build in August and now Im 99% finished.My hands should heal in a month or so.Im going to need you and Zack to come help me out with this one at the Playa in September. This ones going way up there "hopefully"
Keep up the good work ,
Terry

[SteelyEyed]

This is the first Ive been back to TRF since they vanished . I see you have been busy Brett. Real nice job. Nice design. Is this your third design now out for production. You have quite an imagination when it comes to rockets.
Hope you've been doing well.How is Zack doing? Is he still chasing three girls at once. Havent heard from you guys all year.
Last year You and I discussed a Blackrock project. I actually got around to building it. Started my build in August and now Im 99% finished.My hands should heal in a month or so.Im going to need you and Zack to come help me out with this one at the Playa in September. This ones going way up there "hopefully"
Keep up the good work ,
Terry

____________________________

Tbone! How've you been my friend? Great to hear from you. Congrats on making the cover of Extreme Rocketry with your 2-stage Nuclear Sledgehammer. Actually, this is my forth design in production (with three manufactureres: Binder Design, Giant Leap, and Cygnus). Standby for more of my designs to hit the market; there are others in the works, but I will leave it to the manufacturers to make any announcements. Zach is now 6' 3" and 190+ lbs. More accurately, it's the girls that chase Zach, but he's happy to be caught (being a nuclear nerd, rocket geek, I didn't have that problem when I was his age... or any age for that matter). What did you do to your hands? Couldn't possibly be hard work, could it?

We have marked Blackrock on the calendar, have to see if we can make it happen.

Bret

[Tbone]

190 pounds! What are you feeding that kid. Thats five pounds more than I weigh. I wish

[SteelyEyed]

190 pounds! What are you feeding that kid. Thats five pounds more than I weigh. I wish

_____________________

He eats five meals a day in between snacks...
Check your PMs, let's chat sometime.

[SteelyEyed]

That turned out awesome! I hope your upcoming flight(s) go well!

Thanks for the build thread showing how the Devastator goes together. As beefy as these things are, everyone who picks mine up comments on how light it is. Should go like a bat out of hell when you finally get to fly it on a K.

I plan on flying one on a 54mm L this season. I also built one with a 75mm mount that I might fly on a slow burn L or baby M. I have no doubt that with the added strength of the fin stiffeners that it will hold together.

Mike Fisher

_________________________

Mike,
Thanks again. You put out a great product and it's truly been a pleasure to work with you. I hope to meet you one of these days at a launch. I marked all the OROC launches on my calendar today and I plan on making it to one or two. Keep in touch.

Bret

[SteelyEyed]

I finally got a chance to fly the Devastator yesterday at the first launch of the season for SPARC (SPokane Area Rocketry Club). Here's a shot of the pre-launch prep (hooking up the ignitor wires). A failed attempt was made by another rocketeer to get a liftoff shot, all he got was a smoke trail. The flight, however, was picture perfect. Given the combination of winds, pad location, and distance to the launch site boundary, I was limited to a small I motor (if I wanted to keep it out of the trees). It flew on a CTI Pro38 I205 (384 N-s total impulse, delay adjusted to 9 sec.). Unlike my other high power flights for the day, this rocket displayed no detectable roll as it very quickly climbed to the RockSim9 estimated altitude of 1600+ ft. It was a short 50 yard walk to recover it. So, next I was going to fly it on a CTI Pro38 I285 (509 N-s total impulse which would take it to about 2350 ft.). However, I first flew another four inch airframe rocket (another original design called the Reaper). The winds had picked up by then and that flight (which reached only 1800 ft AGL) drifted over the edge of the lauch site boundary and ended up in a tree about 15 feet off the ground. Fortunately, my son was able to climb up in the tree and safely recover it. But, that ended my plan to fly any higher for that day. I can't wait to take it to Fire In The Sky and let 'er rip on a J295 or a K570...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator1stFlight.jpg

[madsen]

Reminds me of the advice I got from a wise old man back when I married my beautiful (then 19 year old) bride... "take pictures, cause it ain't gonna last."Bret

And you are still married? Then I take it that your wife has not yet seen the above quote? May I suggest that you edit your post and remove it--what is wrong with you? "take pictures, it ain't gonna last." Do you have any idea what a month in the hospital will cost you? I hope you have a comfy sofa--you will probably be spending a lot of nights there.

P.S. Pretty rocket.

[SteelyEyed]

And you are still married? Then I take it that your wife has not yet seen the above quote? May I suggest that you edit your post and remove it--what is wrong with you? "take pictures, it ain't gonna last." Do you have any idea what a month in the hospital will cost you? I hope you have a comfy sofa--you will probably be spending a lot of nights there.

P.S. Pretty rocket.

_________________________

Madsen,
For the record, I AM still married to the same (beautiful) woman. We've been married now for 28 years (26 good years :D). And I just now discussed this post with her so that I could reply with all honesty. Although, I have not discussed with her how much money I spend on my AP habit (hobby)... I can accurately report that she appreciates my sense of humor and I will not have to sleep on the the couch tonight!

Cheers,
SE

P.S. The rocket flew as pretty as it looks.

[madsen]

Well, I am going on 38 years in July--and to steal from a Jack Lemmon movie (How to Murder your wife)--I haven't regretted one day of it. That day that I have not regretted was March 14, 1973--she was visiting her Mother in a different state.

I decided to be very honest with my wife about the cost of rocket motors many years ago. When she understood that G's were 50 cents, J's were about $5.00, and M's were about $10.00--it was not too bad. She still thinks that is too much--but she has ceased to complain about the cost. Be good.

P.S. That paint job gets prettier every time I look at it.

[Diosces]

Bret, mine does not look as pretty as your's. Hope you don't mind me linking custom fiberglass Devastator build (http://www.rocketryplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3666) thread on RP. Per your query it weighs in at about 12 #'s


I do think mine might just handle a small to medium M ;)

Thanks for designing such an awesome rocket with Binder. IMHO it's a perfect mash-up of regular fins and a winged rocket perfect for what I was looking for in a project.

[ben_ullman]

I do think mine might just handle a small to medium M ;)


Is that a challenge for me?? ;)hehe.

Looks great John!!!

Ben

[SteelyEyed]

Bret, mine does not look as pretty as your's. Hope you don't mind me linking custom fiberglass Devastator build (http://www.rocketryplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3666) thread on RP. Per your query it weighs in at about 12 #'s


I do think mine might just handle a small to medium M ;)

Thanks for designing such an awesome rocket with Binder. IMHO it's a perfect mash-up of regular fins and a winged rocket perfect for what I was looking for in a project.

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Really cool project Diosces. Thanks for sharing the build on RocketryPlanet. It's great to know that others appreciate the design. I hope it's a big seller for Binder Design and hope yours provides many sucessful flights.

Bret

[Diosces]

Is that a challenge for me?? ;)hehe.

Looks great John!!!

Ben

Possibly, lets talk at June's Sod farm launch, I'd love to buy a discounted custom mixed motor from you ;) I can't make May's as it's my anniversary weekend.


___________________________________

Really cool project Diosces. Thanks for sharing the build on RocketryPlanet. It's great to know that others appreciate the design. I hope it's a big seller for Binder Design and hope yours provides many sucessful flights.

Bret

Thanks Bret. Let us know how yours performs. I'm watching your other development thread and would love to see a kit released based on it.

[SteelyEyed]

Thanks Bret. Let us know how yours performs. I'm watching your other development thread and would love to see a kit released based on it.

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John,
I'm looking forward to flying my Devastator on something bigger than the I205 that I used for its first flight. I'll add to the thread a description of its performance. Also, I'm glad you like the "Endgame." I'm getting kind of excited about it myself. I think it's gonna be awesome looking when I get to actually build it. My designs always look way better in person than they do in RockSim graphics files. I'm waiting on parts to arrive so that I can start construction. Just for grins, I'm going to use Blue Tube for the airframe (thought I would try the product).

As for a kit version, none of the vendors that I normally work with wanted to kit it (counting you and me, that makes at least two people that like the design :D). However, if you really want one, call Mike Fisher, he's got my RockSim9 file. I sent it to him so he could cut me a set of fins. I'm sure, for the right price, Mike will create you a custom "kit."

Bret

[SteelyEyed]

Finally got another opportunity to fly the Devastator this weekend at the Washington Aerospace launch at Snell Ranch near Mansfield, WA. This time someone captured a liftoff photo. Once again, it performed perfectly.

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http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/IMG_1437.jpg

[Binder Design]

Finally got another opportunity to fly the Devastator this weekend at the Washington Aerospace launch at Snell Ranch near Mansfield, WA. This time someone captured a liftoff photo. Once again, it performed perfectly.

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Nice photo! What motor?

Mike

[SteelyEyed]

Nice photo! What motor?

Mike

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Cesaroni I 285... It was too windy to fly anything bigger in it (with single deploy and no tracking device).

Bret

[Diosces]

Awesome picture, I'm envious!
I have to wait until June 12th MDRA sod farm launch to maiden mine, but it's going up on the J570 that I already have assembled. And ordered a K1100T for subsequent flight ;)

In the interim I changed out the payload to a 24" Extreme II tube and will keep the G12 tube as a spare. Will continue to tweak until launch day..

edited ;)

[SteelyEyed]

Awesome picture, I'm envious!
I have to wait until June 12th MDRA sod farm launch to maiden mine, but it's going up on the J570 that I already have assembled. And ordered a K1100T for subsequent flight ;)

In the interim I changed out the payload to a 24" Extreme II tube and will keep the G12 tube as a spare. Will continue to tweak until launch day..

edited ;)

_________________________

Good luck John. Keep us posted on the results...

SE

[dixontj93060]

Sweet paint job and finish combo; can't wait to see it eat a really big motor.

[bdureau]

Hello
I really like the shape of that Rocket and I was wondering if someone had a Rocksim or OpenRocket file of it so that I could do a down scale.
Regards
Boris

[csoechtig]

I took a different approach with my nosecone. I only did the tip in blue to make it a bit more military-looking (not that I've ever seen a real weapon system with metal-flake paint)...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator3001.jpg

SteelyEyed,

I'm curious how you prepped the nose cone to paint such a nice straight line on the tip.

Very nice looking finish!!!!

Thanks,
Chris

[UPscaler]

I took a different approach with my nosecone. I only did the tip in blue to make it a bit more military-looking (not that I've ever seen a real weapon system with metal-flake paint)...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q273/steelyeyed/BDDevastator3001.jpg

Those rustoleum paints work nicely don't they! We used that blue, and the gold version of that silver you've got on our extreme darkstar, Bald Moms Rock.


This looks like an awesome kit!


SteelyEyed,

I'm curious how you prepped the nose cone to paint such a nice straight line on the tip.

Very nice looking finish!!!!

Thanks,
Chris

Paint the tip the color you're looking for, let it dry thoroughly, then put a small tube over the tip, and paint the rest the other color.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/bigb1011/IMG_5029.jpg

</hijack>

Braden

[SteelyEyed]

SteelyEyed,

I'm curious how you prepped the nose cone to paint such a nice straight line on the tip.

Very nice looking finish!!!!

Thanks,
Chris

I painted the nose cone silver first (and let it dry for a few days). Then I placed a piece of airframe tubing of the desired diameter over the end of the nose cone and used that as a guide to apply Pactra masking tape to get a clean straigh line around the nose. I masked off the rest of the cone and sprayed the blue paint. Pic below shows the Pactra tape...

Cheers,
Steely

[SteelyEyed]

Hello
I really like the shape of that Rocket and I was wondering if someone had a Rocksim or OpenRocket file of it so that I could do a down scale.
Regards
Boris

Sorry Boris, when a vendor produces one of my designs I do not share the RockSim file without their permission.

Bret