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Thread: Changing Nose Cone

  1. #1
    Join Date
    23rd January 2012
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    Changing Nose Cone

    I bought a Super Alpha and changed out the C size engine block to a D/E engine block with the conversion kit. I also bought a new nose cone. If anyone has seen the nosecone with the SA its has a weird rounded shape at the end. So I got one that was more pointed ... but shorter.

    What I noticed, in addition to being shorter, is that it is about .15 oz lighter.

    Does anyone thing it will make a difference being about an inch or two shorter, .15 oz lighter combined with the D/E upgrade????

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    1st April 2011
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    Lowering forward weight and upgrading the engine mount is a bit risky. Run some openrocket tests. My guess is, you'd probably be fine, depending on the engine.

    Good luck, she'll go high.

    Alex
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Stick a tracker in it- that oughta fix your Cg! AND you *mite* get it back Straight smoke and good chutes! Post a pic!
    TRA 2383
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    23rd January 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by fyrwrxz View Post
    Stick a tracker in it- that oughta fix your Cg! AND you *mite* get it back Straight smoke and good chutes! Post a pic!
    Are you saying the upgrade alone is gonna send it to the nether regions? We got a large field so ... we shall see

  5. #5
    Join Date
    6th June 2011
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    Paint it real ugly- the rocket gods don't keep those.....
    TRA 2383
    I'd like to have a smart phone, but I don't qualify.
    I'm not user friendly, I have Anti-Social Security.
    I don't always do things, but when I do, I think I'm busy
    I'm usually left holding the bag. If I got a Right bag, maybe it would be better.
    Why is it a launch lug? They are usually too small to carry your rocket to the pad with.
    Why do I need an altimeter that talks back to me? I can get that at home.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    21st April 2010
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    So central WI, USA
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    the super alpha on a D12-5 goes around 1200'...which is high enough for me .
    rex

  7. #7
    Join Date
    18th January 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rex R View Post
    the super alpha on a D12-5 goes around 1200'...which is high enough for me .
    rex
    Thanks Rex,
    I'm also working on the Super Alpha for D12-5 and E9-6 engines.
    1200' feet was what I was hoping for with the D12.
    Hans "Chris" Michielssen
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    21st April 2010
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    memory playing tricks on me...while running the sims it occured to me that my ork file is likely innaccurate. I don't know the mass of the plastic nose cone, could some one weigh the plastic cone please?
    I got one of the heavyweight balsa cones with mine (43g), the current plastic ones are likely lighter and therein is the possible source of problems in converting the SA to D-power, if it weighs less than 18g additional weight may be needed. that said OR says 1050' (d12) and 1500'(E9).

  9. #9
    Join Date
    23rd January 2012
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    Elk Grove, CA
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    588
    Thanks for all the replies and interest in this tread.

    Rex R ... I would be very interested in the calculations ... so I will weigh BOTH nose cones and reply later. I would appreciate it if you could post the results in this thread later.

    hcmbanjo ... have you done anything different in your build except for the upgrade motor mount? Would love to see pics when you are done. I just finished fins and launch lug, almost ready for primer. Contemplating doing the stock paint scheme ... hmmmm.

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