So...mini engines...and tiny rockets, hints?

SirNomad · Feb 9, 2016

Hey folks!

I found some more rocket bits and that included a couple of short lengths of 13mm tube. I'd like to turn this into a rocket, but am unsure about fin design/stability, and I was thinking of flying on A mini motors. I was thinking of some kind of tumble recovery for one, and a streamer recovery for the other. I do have two of the NC-5s! This tubing is more "slippery" than I'm used to, and I'd be having to cut fins out of balsa wood or use "craft sticks".

I plan on painting these as brightly colorful as possible to aid in recovery.

I also downloaded OpenRocket and have never used it before, I can't afford the price for rocksim and am eager for any hints on using OpenRocket.

So, any suggestions?

K'Tesh · Feb 9, 2016

SirNomad said:
Hey folks!

I found some more rocket bits and that included a couple of short lengths of 13mm tube. I'd like to turn this into a rocket, but am unsure about fin design/stability, and I was thinking of flying on A mini motors. I was thinking of some kind of tumble recovery for one, and a streamer recovery for the other. I do have two of the NC-5s! This tubing is more "slippery" than I'm used to, and I'd be having to cut fins out of balsa wood or use "craft sticks".

I plan on painting these as brightly colorful as possible to aid in recovery.

I also downloaded OpenRocket and have never used it before, I can't afford the price for rocksim and am eager for any hints on using OpenRocket.

So, any suggestions?

I'd suggest downloading one of my .ork files (down in the Plans forum), and looking through it. There's also a parts library and a nosecone library for you to download common items not found in the standard form of OR, and a tutorial for doing some of the tricks that I've figured out over the years. For marking tips, you can look at neil_w's tutorial on decals.

TopRamen · Feb 9, 2016

Like K' said, you'll do ok to review his files.
I'd like to share my files, but I'm using my back-up computer right now, as my good one needs a new power supply fan.

I have a really cool 13mm AIM-120 AMRAAM that I used lightweight fiberglass cloth on.

Oh wait, I can go find the thread link.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?121400-13mm-Fiberglassed-AIM-120-AMRAAM-W-TTW-Fins

When I get back to building I intend to do other semi-scale 13mm missiles.

Amsterdam · Feb 11, 2016

I love my mini's, there's a great design by Bruce Levison called the Corkscrew its easy to build, durable and very satisfying to fly.

i personally dislike tumble recovery, it always looks like the model failed at ejection and broke apart. I stick to streamers or small chutes for heavy models

As for OpenRocket The more I use it, the less I trust any preset parts. I've had better success measuring and weighing what I had then plugging the numbers in the program
it would be wise to start simple and look over the tutorials and files previously posted

CZ Brat · Feb 11, 2016

Amsterdam said:
As for OpenRocket The more I use it, the less I trust any preset parts. I've had better success measuring and weighing what I had then plugging the numbers in the program
it would be wise to start simple and look over the tutorials and files previously posted

I use the presets as I am doing an initial design, but then measure/weigh the parts to get a more precise simulation. I also weigh things before/after glue, so I can accurately put that into OR. I often use OR just to play with design ideas, even if I am not going to build it. I just played around with an 18" diameter V2 with 4 M motors. No plans to build it in real life, but fun to do it in the virtual world.

rstaff3 · Feb 11, 2016

My recommendation is to make several as I always find a way to lose 'em.

Micromeister · Feb 11, 2016

BT-5 models are tons of fun. flown on 1/4A, 1/2A and A 13mm motors. They are even more fun flown on MMX motors

Amsterdam · Feb 11, 2016

CZ Brat said:
I use the presets as I am doing an initial design, but then measure/weigh the parts to get a more precise simulation. I also weigh things before/after glue, so I can accurately put that into OR. I often use OR just to play with design ideas, even if I am not going to build it. I just played around with an 18" diameter V2 with 4 M motors. No plans to build it in real life, but fun to do it in the virtual world.

I know what you mean haha, I spend a lot of time designing something that will never be

heres my latest, who knew a ping pong ball had so much drag?

GlenP · Feb 11, 2016

Amsterdam said:
...who knew a ping pong ball had so much drag?

Not sure that the available sims take surface roughness into account, but you could always try adding dimples like on a golf ball to reduce the drag a little.

So...mini engines...and tiny rockets, hints?

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

SirNomad

Well-Known Member

K'Tesh

.....OpenRocket's ..... "Chuck Norris"

TopRamen

SA-5

Amsterdam

__________

CZ Brat

Well-Known Member

rstaff3

Oddroc-eteer

Micromeister

Micro Craftman/ClusterNut

Amsterdam

__________

GlenP

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

So...mini engines...and tiny rockets, hints?

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

Well-Known Member

.....OpenRocket's ..... "Chuck Norris"

SA-5

__________

Well-Known Member

Oddroc-eteer

Micro Craftman/ClusterNut

__________

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!