Transition Practice - A Build Thread

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MCriscione

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This one is a bit late in coming to the forum.

After my summer build (here) I needed a bit of time off to re concentrate on family and friends and dull down what was starting to become a minor rocket building addiction. In addition, our infant son had some minor medical issues which were causing some stress around the house. After getting my feet back under me a bit, my wife asked if I was going to be going to any further launches this year. I quickly told her not to worry, the local launches with CMASS in Acton were over for the year once school resumes. Although CMASS has launches all through the fall in Amesbury, I wasn't going to drag our 3yo daughter back and forth 40 minutes in the car, given she's only willing to sit still for about that long. It didn't seem worth it. My wife then surprised me and told me that, as the next Amesbury launch was on the weekend of my birthday, she wanted me to attend, sans child, as a way to get out of the house. I got a bit excited at the thought of getting to see the high power launches there for the first time, and quickly agreed that it was a great idea.

But now I wanted to build something for the launch. I wanted to try something new, but not something so time consuming as my last project. I settled for a quickly designed 'long' rocket with some transitions and a quirky compound fin layout.

My time is a bit short currently to comment on all the photos, but I'll leave the pictures here for those that are interested to browse and comment on as they like. I'll try to make it back in the next few days to add some commentary where I feel it's appropriate. The rocket never did get past the first primer coat, but it DID get to fly in Amesbury on Sept. 26th in both a 'short' and 'stretched' mode.

All transitions are handmade from heavy photo paper (I didn't have any cardstock at the time, it still worked fine!). All CRs and fins are handcut from 3/32" balsa, 'strakes' were from 1/16" balsa. Primary BT is Estes BT-55, Motor Mount is Estes BT-20 for standard 18mm motors.

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A bit tough to see with the grey primer, but it flew pretty nicely on a C6-5. The first was with a spare nosecone, without the long upper 'nose' half of the rocket, due to it being a bit windy in the morning. Stability was still quite good even with the shorter version (previously checked with OR to verify, plenty of margin). Later in the day it flew as shown here, in it's full glory. Total length (from memory) is somewhere around 40"
 

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Fascinating. Does beveling the launch lug like that help reduce drag, or is it for aesthetics?
 
Great work! If you have the time, mind spelling out how you built these (step by step)? Interested in something similar.
 
I kept meaning to come back here and discuss this one a bit more. I'm pretty disappointed that I never got a color coat on it before the weather turned cold. Perhaps over the holiday I'll have some time to add some discussion here. If there's anything specific you want to know, feel free to ask here or even PM me.
 
Wow I am impressed.
I thought a rocket with that many transitions would look kinda cheezy, but this looks awesome.
I might want to copy it.

Great job on the design.
 
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