This is a 2.6 inch rocket version of the WWI German fighter the Albatros DVa. Three 29mm motor mounts and a whole lot of fins up front. It has a prop fin made out of tongue depressors. It is just an Estes Mega Skeeter kit with some mods. The rear 2.6 cone is a reject Apogee nose cone from their "Free with purchase" box for in store customers, it had a crooked tip but was perfect for this application. Lots of squishy Hobby Lobby balsa, label paper, thick Apogee 29mm motor mount, motor blocks are cut from used casings. Dowel from the hardware store, JB Weld Plastic Weld and and an old body tube for a launch lug, 3/8" rod minimum. Will come down on two chutes, one for the nose cone and one for the rest. Cut the head off my old parachute guy. Motor mount made with six drops of CA and the Mega Skeeter centering ring, then glued TTW. Trusty trifold shock cord on reinforcing coupler.
Still deciding on a paint scheme. Red Baron? Ernst Udet? an early Von Shleich (Pre Black Knight)? Hauptmann Kitty from the photo knows all the Old Eagles so he might have to decide. Putting on the top wing will be one of the last steps, along with installing a modicum of stinking, performance robbing nose weight.
Poor Young Turks at the launch. Here comes an old fart with a 100 year old airplane and a 3/8 inch launch rod. Fins and motors way too far forward! I must believe in the power of mid mount canted motors! Thick old launch rods rule, can't use a fancy modern rail on this one. Paper, balsa and lots of dope for these WWI contraptions.
Shown with Beech Staggerwing and Blackburn Triplane, old veterans with many flights. Hopefully the DVa will have similar luck.
Still deciding on a paint scheme. Red Baron? Ernst Udet? an early Von Shleich (Pre Black Knight)? Hauptmann Kitty from the photo knows all the Old Eagles so he might have to decide. Putting on the top wing will be one of the last steps, along with installing a modicum of stinking, performance robbing nose weight.
Poor Young Turks at the launch. Here comes an old fart with a 100 year old airplane and a 3/8 inch launch rod. Fins and motors way too far forward! I must believe in the power of mid mount canted motors! Thick old launch rods rule, can't use a fancy modern rail on this one. Paper, balsa and lots of dope for these WWI contraptions.
Shown with Beech Staggerwing and Blackburn Triplane, old veterans with many flights. Hopefully the DVa will have similar luck.