Loadstar II night flyer

[goldlizard]

This is my first build thread, so forgive me if I omit things. I will try to be thorough. Give me critiques as I go to help everyone out.
I did not get any pictures of the un-built kit, but we have all seen a pile of tubes and balsa. Since this will be a night launch rocket I found these neat flashing lights at Walmart in the automotive section. I guess they use them in those boom-boom stereo cars with the annoyingly loud exhaust.

The strips are 14" in length and have a push button temporary "Try Me" switch. I was going to take a micro switch from one of the grandkids broken toys to put in the rocket. I also saw at Target light-up shoe laces that may work better because of lighter weight. Also these lights have an adhesive backing to stick them to the payload section.

 

[goldlizard]

First we have the booster section to build. Glue CR's to the motor tube. Then that assembly gets inserted into the booster BT.

Then the fins to the booster section. Also the coupler gets glued in place.

 

[BEC]

I built an original night-flyer using four of the "chasing lights" versions of those strips which I flew at NSL this year. They work quite well. I powered mine with three 170 mAh li-poly cells that are sold for micro RC models and a little custom wiring to put them in series. I just plug the third cell in to turn the thing on, then slide the battery compartment closed and tape it, then go fly.

 

[goldlizard]

Next is the sustainer section. First is the motor mount. Before I install the motor mount, I made a lanyard from stainless steel fishing leader for a shock cord mount. This makes it so easy to change shock cords, plus it keeps the cord away from the burning ejection charge. No "tea bag" mounts for me!

These items can be purchased for around $10, to make your own shock cord leaders.
(Forgive the quality of the pictures)

 

[luke strawwalker]

I guess they use them in those boom-boom stereo cars with the annoyingly loud exhaust.

Yes... yes they are... and now you MUST install a "fart can" on the back of the rocket, and spinner rims...

Later! OL JR

 

[goldlizard]

Well the build is done, now comes the fun part, putting on the lights.

 

[TopRamen]

That is awesome! Can't wait to see the finished Product. I made a "Night Flyer" once. At the time we lived in a House in the middle of a Feild, but with a row of Houses leading to mine, each about 200yds. from one another. My "Night Flyer", consisted of a Scratch Built riding a D12-3, with no Chute'. I mounted a Mini-Maglite in the Nosecone. Would'nt you know it, out of all the places it could possibly land, it chose my closest Neighbors Roof. Luckily, the lauch was at 2:00AM, and the Rocket Remains bounced off and landed where I could run to them to get them, then run away. The neat part was that as the Ballistic Rocket was zeroing in on his Roof, you could see the Beam of light illuminating the Roof and getting smaller right up until Impact. I know, it was stupid, but with the Houses spread out like that, I figured the Odds were in my Favor, plus I was 15, so being stupid came naturally.
Oh, and it was my older Brothers Idea.

 

[goldlizard]

Look at my signature.
"Moderation is not a teenaged virtue" Meaning teenagers go all out, or go home!
I never met a teen who did not do at least one stupid thing. No matter how good they said they were.
I am now paying the price with aches and pains from broken bones.

 

[Fred Garvin]

I've never done a night flight before.....that's something to put on my to-do list.....I would think that brightly flashing lights would not only look really cool, but make the rocket pretty easy to find!

 

[Rich Holmes]

Our club did a night launch this month, it was fun. It's a good idea to use redundant light sources, like two LED sets on separate batteries. If there's only one light source and it fails, you may not see your rocket again!

 

[K'Tesh]

Our club did a night launch this month, it was fun. It's a good idea to use redundant light sources, like two LED sets on separate batteries. If there's only one light source and it fails, you may not see your rocket again!

Or a glowstick... no need for batteries

 

[BEC]

Unless it is REALLY dark out, a glowstick (or two or three) isn't bright enough for reliable tracking of a night launch.....but it might be a worthwhile backup I suppose.

 

[goldlizard]

Well the lights are out of the package. The weight is quite high, IMHO, at 42g. I will be losing a gram or two when I shorten the wires, and maybe a tenth when I change the switch. I may go to an alternative lighting arrangement, light-up shoe laces. They look to be lighter weight, but I won't know that until I pick them up this weekend. Will 38-40g be to much for C-6's?

 

[K'Tesh]

Unless it is REALLY dark out, a glowstick (or two or three) isn't bright enough for reliable tracking of a night launch.....but it might be a worthwhile backup I suppose.

I launched with a glowstick once, and had no problem seeing the remains of the rocket descend... The remains that was still attached to the glowstick that is. The next day I was able to locate the remains that weren't attached. It wasn't particularly dark that night... The bright lights of the town were reflecting off of the low clouds, and the white snow quite well.

 

[Fred Garvin]

View attachment 143858

LOL...we have the EXACT same scale.....

 

[goldlizard]

OK. Take two on the lights for my Loadstar II night flyer. Being that the others weighed in at 42g, these tip the scales at 38g for the pair. These are light-up shoe laces, in orange, red, blue and green. I picked them up at Target, in the dollar+, back to school bins in the front of the store, (at least here anyway). They have three settings fast flash, slow flash and steady on. At 19g for one "lace" and light unit, I believe this will be more than suitable for night flying with B's or C's. My next one will fly on D's!

I Think these are going to work just fine. Since I have all colors I can change them between fights, plus light up other rockets! By the way, these work on fiber optic technology.

 

[Rich Holmes]

I like it.

"Warning: Decoration only". I guess you can't use these for shock cords then? :lol:

 

[goldlizard]

I like it.

"Warning: Decoration only". I guess you can't use these for shock cords then? :lol:

Yeah...I think using these for a shock cord may cause a core sample.

 

[Fred Garvin]

That will make a neat slow exposure shot at night.......

 

[goldlizard]

That will make a neat slow exposure shot at night.......

Yes, with glow-in-the-dark paint it should be awesome.

 

[K'Tesh]

View attachment 144084View attachment 144085View attachment 144086View attachment 144087
I Think these are going to work just fine. Since I have all colors I can change them between fights, plus light up other rockets! By the way, these work on fiber optic technology.

I want those for my bike helmet... They would look good with the rest of my stuff:


My bicycle with active (flux capacitor), and passive (retro-reflective film) visibility aids. I made the lights myself... problem is, I didn't plan on Oregon weather and the Mr. Fusion melted down.

Yes, with glow-in-the-dark paint it should be awesome.

Unless you want to add a UV spotlight as a light source (tied directly to your tracking camera), I'd recommend that you forget about GITD paint. It's not bright enough to look good in any photograph, and practically useless at any distance. Besides... W/O a UV spotlight to keep the phosphorescent properties charged, a regular light source would destroy your night vision.

And if you were thinking about using the spray-on retro-reflective paint that's out there... Forget it... it's complete CR*P. Between the weight, the texture, and the uneven coats you'd only drag your rocket out at night due to the emb(arf)assment in how bad it'd look. Retro-Reflective film, however, is a different story. It could be made to look good. Problem is you'd still be better off with the shoelaces for tracking your rocket, as you wouldn't need a search light.

 

[goldlizard]

I want those for my bike helmet... They would look good with the rest of my stuff:


My bicycle with active (flux capacitor), and passive (retro-reflective film) visibility aids. I made the lights myself... problem is, I didn't plan on Oregon weather and the Mr. Fusion melted down.



Unless you want to add a UV spotlight as a light source (tied directly to your tracking camera), I'd recommend that you forget about GITD paint. It's not bright enough to look good in any photograph, and practically useless at any distance. Besides... W/O a UV spotlight to keep the phosphorescent properties charged, a regular light source would destroy your night vision.

And if you were thinking about using the spray-on retro-reflective paint that's out there... Forget it... it's complete CR*P. Between the weight, the texture, and the uneven coats you'd only drag your rocket out at night due to the emb(arf)assment in how bad it'd look. Retro-Reflective film, however, is a different story. It could be made to look good. Problem is you'd still be better off with the shoelaces for tracking your rocket, as you wouldn't need a search light.

You may be right about the GITD paint, but where we do our night launches is a R.C. Plane field, with a 100' awning with fluorescent lighting. So getting enough light to make the paint work will be a challenge. On the "bright" side I was going to get some of those red and white reflective strips that you see on OTR trucks and trailers, to make the search with a flashlight a little easier.

 

[K'Tesh]

You may be right about the GITD paint, but where we do our night launches is a R.C. Plane field, with a 100' awning with fluorescent lighting. So getting enough light to make the paint work will be a challenge. On the "bright" side I was going to get some of those red and white reflective strips that you see on OTR trucks and trailers, to make the search with a flashlight a little easier.

The reflective strips on semi's is called Conspicuity Tape. You can get it at Harbor Freight for less than $7USD. However, it's stiff, and doesn't like to go around curves (I"ve wrapped my bike in stuff like this) very well. I'd recommend using the aforementioned retro-reflective films (besides it doesn't have a pattern you have to overcome). I've been getting mine from Multi-Craft Plastics in Tigard Oregon. I've used 3M Scotchlite, and Avery's Products, but I don't know about availability (3M is expensive though).

A blow drier is good for softening up the films for application.

 

[goldlizard]

The reflective strips on semi's is called Conspicuity Tape. You can get it at Harbor Freight for less than $7USD. However, it's stiff, and doesn't like to go around curves (I"ve wrapped my bike in stuff like this) very well. I'd recommend using the aforementioned retro-reflective films (besides it doesn't have a pattern you have to overcome). I've been getting mine from Multi-Craft Plastics in Tigard Oregon. I've used 3M Scotchlite, and Avery's Products, but I don't know about availability (3M is expensive though).

A blow drier is good for softening up the films for application.

I only wanted to put the reflective tape on the fins. If it is laying in the brush, one fin will always be up. That will make it easier to spot with a flashlight.

 

[goldlizard]

Back to the build. I mail ordered from eRockets, a set of launch lugs, to get some 3/16" lugs. At the price plus shipping, I could not get them here for under $5.

The booster section is primed. Lugs and stand-offs attached to BT, and it is ready for primer.

 

[goldlizard]

Ok...There she is in her grey negligee.



Now don't she look good with her top on!





And now with her virginal white paint. Ain't she Purdy?

 

[goldlizard]

Well she's done except for some reflective stickers. Think I'll give her a test flight in a couple of weeks, when it's not raining.

 

[Fred Garvin]

Very cool.....I wanna see a "green streak" night photo.....

 

[goldlizard]

Her first flight will be tomorrow morning. I know it is a night flyer, but I want to make sure she fly's high and straight, before I turn her loose at night.
Wish me luck.

 

[Fred Garvin]

Good luck!

I wanted to fly mine today at the club launch....but, alas, it just didn't work out....guess I'll have to go pay the cows a visit.....