Flew my first Micromaxx

[Mr. Larry]

I got my Micromaxx starter kit in the mail yesterday and flew a couple of the rockets today. The Saturn and the Critical Mass. I also tried another rocket from the set but did'nt know the name. The Saturn was a disaster and so was the no name; not stability at all. The Critical Mass was awesome. Good flight and stability.

Larry

[JPVegh]

The Critical Mass, Raw Fusion and Vector 1 fly pretty well, most of the other Quest MicroMaxx rockets not so much.

BTW Model Aerospace Company still has some of the original launch sets with the silo launchers and the round launch controlers. Including the coveted Little Joe II launch set. They also have some of the old rocket 2 packs for $2.49 each.

Check out Aerospace Specialty Products for their MicroMaxx kits at very reasonable prices. The also have some body tubes and nose cones for MicroMaxx stuff.

[MarkII]

The Saturn V is funny. I have mostly gotten quite stable flights with it, but every once in awhile it will do cartwheels. There were two versions made of this RTF: one with scale-like Saturn V fins, and the other with Saturn 1 fins. The version with the square Saturn 1 fins was said to be reliably stable, while the version with scale fins was notoriously unstable. I had one of each. I can vouch for the stability of the one with the anachronistic fins, but even my version with more accurate-looking fins flew fine most of the time. I do know that wrapping up the streamer and fitting it and the piston into the narrow top of the model could be a bit of a challenge, and sometimes the nose cone would pop loose before I launched it. Because of the piston design, the nose cone never fully separates from the model, but if it came loose just before you hit the ignition button it would have been sitting loose and somewhat cockeyed in the top of the rocket, and that could have easily thrown off the stability big time.

All in all, though, I actually really like the Saturn V RTF. It is probably my favorite from the entire set. It is the one that I most enjoy launching.

The Saturn V in this picture is the version with scale-like fins. I launched it at a club launch in July 2009 as a small (literally) commemoration of the first moon landing. It launched fine on that occasion and had a straight, stable flight.

[gpoehlein]

Add some clear plastic fin extensions to the Saturn V and it should fly much better. That's all that's wrong with it - CG isn't far enough forward of CP.

[MarkII]

FlisKits also has a large and growing selection of Jim Flis-designed "Micro To The Maxx" kits, as well as a large assortment of micro components for scratch-building. If nothing else, you have got to see (with a magnifying glass perhaps) the LL-0 lunch lugs and the EB-2.5 motor blocks! Oh, and the 3's A Charm kit, which consists of a booster rocket and three detachable parasite gliders!

Leading Edge Rocketry also sells an assortment of "Micro Classics" kits, which are MicroMaxx-sized downscales of some classic rockets of yesteryear.

[Mr. Larry]

Right now the Saturn V has some problems. The removable motor mount warped so now the motor goes in at an angle. Probably not a good thing and does not help the stability.
I'm looking at the Spacefighter and am wondering how the ejection is going to work since there is no opening above the engine to blow out the nose cone. Any ideas?

Larry in Illinois

[hcmbanjo]

Hi Larry,
Glad to hear you had some success with the Micromaxx launches.
When you start building models from FlisKits parts and kits you'll get what you are looking for.
I haven't built any Leading Edge micro kits, but they do have some downscaled Estes classics.

The Spacefighter actually has a plastic molded baffle right above the engine. But, it doesn't work that well.
If I remember correctly the Space Shuttle has the same molded baffle.

[Mr. Larry]

Thanks, Chris, I couldn't tell by looking at it what was going on. I figured that something had to happen or there would be problems.

[Micromeister]

Actually the Space Freighter is one of the better flying LPB's. As Chris mentioned it is one with an internal baffle. Doesn't protect the mylar streamer all that well but does work. Which is what I believe Chris ment by doesn't work all that well. Adding a tiny 1/8sheet or so of FP wadding just below the streamer makes a world of difference.

Adding some tiny triangles of clear plastic from the packaging is all that's needed to make the Saturn-V stable without adding a lot of weight. (See pic below.) the other LPB that is often not very stable is the Space Shuttle, it' is also another with internal baffle. launch it in as little breeze as possible. I added a tiny bit of clay to the nose to help the stablility wasn't very much and didn't note the mass. but it did help some.

Most of the others fly just fine. only addition is to add a little masking tape to the twistlock motor mount as they have a tendency to fly apart at ejection.

Now you need to get yourself a few Fliskits real kit Micros to see what these great little motors can really do

[Mr. Larry]

I think my Saturn V is probably history. The engine mount got warped from the heat and is deformed. I ordered a couple of rockets from Fliskits yesterday. Easy ones until I get used to working with these tiny rockets. By the way the Critical Mass was awesome and flew perfectly. Haven't tried the other ones yet

Larry

[jflis]

Just a word of caution... ...expect the models you just ordered to go a bit higher than those plastic birds. Some of them can really scoot! (well, not the mudwasp, but still... )

jim

[MarkII]

That's right Jim. But we did need one that we could actually follow, didn't we?

[gagreen]

Since you got the sickness now you need to make sure to get a dead ringer. Hands down favorite flier.

[Mr. Larry]

I ordered to easy ones to start. The doo-Hickey and Crayon. I'm workng on the Bic Rocket both the original design and a modification by John McCoy. Micros are fascinating!! I learn a little more with each one I build. I'm trying to locate some kevlar string. I was wondering if Spectra fishing line would work, I hear it's made of kevlar.

[gagreen]

Art Applewhite has some cardstock free downloads that are pretty good fliers.

As far as the line i think i have some out in the garage stranded not mono, mono burns but i havent even thought about the other stuff, if i have some ill go see how it acts in the presence of a flame. I usually just order kevlar from fliskits when i need more.

[jflis]

I ordered to easy ones to start. The doo-Hickey and Crayon. I'm workng on the Bic Rocket both the original design and a modification by John McCoy. Micros are fascinating!! I learn a little more with each one I build. I'm trying to locate some kevlar string. I was wondering if Spectra fishing line would work, I hear it's made of kevlar.

FlisKits has Kevlar in #8, #16, #35, #90 & #150. We used to use the #16 as Micro shock line, but moved up to #35 based on feedback from customers.

[Micromeister]

I ordered to easy ones to start. The doo-Hickey and Crayon. I'm workng on the Bic Rocket both the original design and a modification by John McCoy. Micros are fascinating!! I learn a little more with each one I build. I'm trying to locate some kevlar string. I was wondering if Spectra fishing line would work, I hear it's made of kevlar.

unforunately Spectra (Spider Wire and others) will not work well as shocklines, they cant stand even a little heat. Kevlar is easy to find all over the internet. www.thethreadexchange.com is one place your looking for 70-90lb which I find most useful.
the pics below may be of Help

[Mr. Larry]

I had some kevlar line that I got from Quest, I believe over 10 years ago. I pulled it apart and used one strand to put in the rocket. It was about 30" long or so. The next time I order from Fliskits I'll get some 35# line.

Larry ( The Apt. Dweller)

[Mr. Larry]

Just a follow up on the Bic Rockets. I flew both of them yesterday and what a hoot. Both performed very well. The nose blow version was the easiest to see on the way down and the easiest to find on the ground. I don't see any need for a streamer at this point.

Cheers and thanks for the input, guys

[MG13]

This thread inspired me to try MMX, too. I have ordered a silo with the Little Joe. I was glad to see "gagreen" mention the Dead Ringer because I was immediately impressed with its design. Sweet!

[MarkII]

Beyond the Dead Ringer, if you want to get kits that each represent tons of cool in tiny packages, check out the HEMV-4, Stinger, TOG and Petite Praetor. They demolish any lingering notion that micros are "novelty rockets."

[Micromeister]

Don't forget these additional super kits from Fliskits.
Diminutive Deuce (Micro 2 cluster).
Doo-Hickey (interlocking fincan).
Tiny Triskelion (TO KEWL for words).
and 3's-A-Charm (Micro 3 glider Airshow).
toss in a pic of the TOG also, just cus it's Cool.

[JPVegh]

Those are some nicely detailed micros you got there!

[Micromeister]

Those are some nicely detailed micros you got there!

Thanks Jeff but this is about Kit Micros.
Just to add a few more to the mix.

Don't forget the super designed models from Micro Classics tho you have to contact them by e-mail microclassics.aol.com. I don't have any of his kits but I'm told by others they are very nicely done & instructed.

A.S.P. has several Micro Scale kits including: Corporal missile, Wac-Corporal, RP-3, Hawk Missile and AQM-37a JayHawk.

We left off Fliskits every nice T3 1:80 Scale Honest John, and Big-Honk'in Rockets, Tiddlywink HD, Slide wing glider. All super KITS!

I believe you can still get a D-Region Tomahawk T4 micro powered model for Pratt hobbies.

QCR has an entire line of Micro "Qualifier" competition SD, PD, HD, and Gliders. Since I scratch build my Competition models I don't have pics of these model either.

Lastly don't discount the smaller Estes models particularly the Mosquito now Oop, Quark and Swift. All three make excellent rear ejection pod, streamer recovery models.