rharshberger
Well-Known Member
I am planning to build a upscale of the 1980's classic Aries SST, the reason I am posting this in the MPR section is that I hope to be able to construct in lightly enough to fly on G motors mainly and Hs too.
The biggest issue on the build is that I will be the main fins/wings will be about 8" from root chord to tip chord (semi-span), root chord will be approximately 10" and the tip chord will be about 4" long. My concern is how to build the fins light enough, yet stiff enough that they will survive moderate thrusting H motors ( most likely I will fly it with H90s and the other lower thrusting motors).
I am currently considering using 1/64" ply skins over 3/32" balsa (or basswood) with either two carbon or spruce spars running from TTW root edge to tip edge, the spars would also be part of attaching the winglets more securely, winglets would be ply skinned basswood or balsa as well. Obviously I am trying to avoid using solid plywood fins or much in the way of epoxy.
The rest of the rocket is to be built from a BMS PNC-300K modded to look like the PNC-50S, and BMS T300 airframe (same as Estes 3"). I could easily build this from LOC tube and plywood but then it would only fly on HPR motors most likely.
I have also considered depron cored wings which I have never worked with.
I am looking for other suggestions or comments on my current construction ideas or alternatives and how to apply them.
The biggest issue on the build is that I will be the main fins/wings will be about 8" from root chord to tip chord (semi-span), root chord will be approximately 10" and the tip chord will be about 4" long. My concern is how to build the fins light enough, yet stiff enough that they will survive moderate thrusting H motors ( most likely I will fly it with H90s and the other lower thrusting motors).
I am currently considering using 1/64" ply skins over 3/32" balsa (or basswood) with either two carbon or spruce spars running from TTW root edge to tip edge, the spars would also be part of attaching the winglets more securely, winglets would be ply skinned basswood or balsa as well. Obviously I am trying to avoid using solid plywood fins or much in the way of epoxy.
The rest of the rocket is to be built from a BMS PNC-300K modded to look like the PNC-50S, and BMS T300 airframe (same as Estes 3"). I could easily build this from LOC tube and plywood but then it would only fly on HPR motors most likely.
I have also considered depron cored wings which I have never worked with.
I am looking for other suggestions or comments on my current construction ideas or alternatives and how to apply them.