Eagle Claw 4 Build

[Yoehahn]

Finally, my first build thread with pics lets see here...
First, As soon as i start trying to open the box, the usual happens. He was quickly moved.


Then I started bathing the parts and will soon massage them to get rid of all that stress In all seriousness Fiberglass dust is not fun so I took care of that to get ready for sanding.



Finally, a quick mock up pic. This was before everything went in the tub.
Lets play a quick round of find the machbuster!



More to follow shortly.

[glenbo]

Congrads on your purchase. Looking forward to see how it goes together.

Glenn

[chadrog]

That is a great looking rocket, not sure why I don't have one.

[Yoehahn]

It is a great looking rocket, im glad I got one.
Anyways, On with more pics.


first, all the goodies that came in the box

Then the complimentary Dry-Fit. For reference i am 6'2 and the rocket on the ground is a 4" Darkstar

[Yoehahn]

This build thread will have to be postponed a little bit. I looked at the motor tube and it is about 6" too short... Doesnt extend past the fins. So i cant assemble the MMT or anything. On the plus side, I should be flying this at NERRF 8 on a K515 Skidmark and a K550 White Lightning.

[Yoehahn]

Just a little update: Tube is marked for internals, Working on finalizing the av bay, the MMT tube is on its way to wildman's, so i should be getting that along with a plethora of other tubes and goodies for other projects. Ordered my Aero-Pack, Aced all the online L2 exams and still studying, so now I just have to go with motor choice.

I have the range of Pro54 cases (L2 special sale), An AT 54/852, 54/1280, and 54/1706. I have a tracking system so im not too worried about losing it, If the weather is bad I will fly it on the smallest motor possible to get the L2 then save the larger motors for LDRS or another day.

[Yoehahn]

another update: I got the motor tube (THANK YOU TIM!) and passed my L2 test (it was surprisingly easy) and I have my shock cord coming in today and a fresh container of west systems, so pics to follow later. Planning on a K490 Green3 so far for first flight.

[neond7]

Awesome looking kit! I've yet to build a fiberglass rocket. Stupid question, but is this a dual deploy kit? I saw what looked like enough bulkheads to build one, but no all-thread or other av-bay hardware.

Keep posting the pics! I'm in the market for my next kit. My Binder JackHammer will be finished this week, and will be starting on a LOC Phanton 438 XL this weekend. Which means there will be an empty spot where a "box of rocket parts" would fit on the shelf in the garage. :-)

[Yoehahn]

Yes, it is DD but most of tims kits don't come with hardware. I will be documenting all of the work including Av bay layout so just sit back and watch. I HIGHLY recommend FG kits, id say go for the DarkStar4" I have that one its cheaper and cooler looking but they are both about the same. This is a heavy kit tho so I mostly plan on K motors for flight with maybe a J or L here and there.

[[POW]Eagle159]

I LOVE the look of this rocket!

Nice build.

[dixontj93060]

I bought one of these from an individual during LDRS last year--this whole discussion has me "chomping at the bit" to get started on this!

So many rockets, so little time...

[Yoehahn]

Ok so after posting in the wrong thread Here is my laid out Av Bay:
Side A (With a few layout mistakes to be fixed soon)


Side B


Starting to Populate it


and Finally what I hope it will look like at least if not better (this is the av bay sled that got destroyed in my failed L2 attempt)

[arothchild]

Loving the look of the electronics bay! I just finished building my Eagle Claw and it is 15 pounds without parachutes, electronics or paint. I'll try to post some pics later!

[Yoehahn]

Thanks! Got the MMT/Boat tail/ Retainer assembly done yesterday
Next to a Wild Child



Fin Can dry fit



In the belly Of the boat.... Tail.

[Yoehahn]

Got the 2.5" CR glued in and the Fins are glued in and curing with West Systems as we speak. I put internals on the motor tube and on the boat tail on the inside, Will be adding expanding foam in a little bit. Then fillets on the outside, And the aft end is done. Pics to come after I add the foam

[Yoehahn]

Fins are cured and fillets are on, I put the expanding foam in which I definitely think that it added a lot of strength and will help keep the fins on for a possible L flight and then a possible M flight (EX). Anyways some pics:
The Foam:


MMT Shock Cord Attachment:


Recovery System laid out:


Im attaching the remaining 2 CR's now and then will finish gluing in the fins. Hopefully painting tomorrow If all goes well.

[patelldp]

Fins are cured and fillets are on, I put the expanding foam in which I definitely think that it added a lot of strength and will help keep the fins on for a possible L flight and then a possible M flight (EX).

Who's making you a 54mm M?

[Yoehahn]

No one. It looks possible from burnsim and I might attempt it sometime but it's mostly just saying this thing could hold up to an M if there was one.

[patelldp]

No one. It looks possible from burnsim and I might attempt it sometime but it's mostly just saying this thing could hold up to an M if there was one.

Obviously a topic for discussion in the EX forum, but to say that it is "possible in burnsim" doesn't mean it's likely in real life. It has been tried by very capable individuals in the past with pretty catastrophic results. Best of luck in that endeavor.

[Yoehahn]

Yes it is and I'm well aware it's plausible at best but I might take a crack at it In a few years. For now J-L will be plenty

[Yoehahn]

Moving on, I have glued on the two CRS by first tacking with CA and then a coat of slightly thickened west systems fillets. I should be assembling the MMT into the body tube once everything cures in a few hours, then will start putting the fins on.
The MMT:

[Yoehahn]

The MMT is in, The fins are on, just going to fill a small gap between the boat tail and the BT, Do some internals, Put some foam in and then do the fillets. Then its off to paint!

[Yoehahn]

Internals are Drying outside, Got the fins on and tacked with West systems, Given Glue rivets on the outside with CA and now I have One set of Internals drying. A pic:


Ill take another in a second, injecting some more epoxy for now.

[cwbullet]

Nice build. I love the lines on that kit.

[Yoehahn]

Thanks and me too. I still dont have a paint scheme tho :/
Anyways, Im out of 1515 buttons and Im at 14.5 lbs right now without chutes and I still have internals, foam, and fillets to do so im expecting a finished weight around 16-17 lbs or so, so I will probably come in at 25 with the motor and electronics and I just dont trust the 1010 Buttons on a rocket this size. I plan to put 1/4" threaded inserts in and then screw the rail buttons in at the launch unless I can get really fast shipping. Maiden flight is definitely going to be on a K490 Green3 As I have the motor in hand and think it would be an interesting flight. Im going to do my last set of internals then finish the av-bay, so I will put up more pictures soon. I have the entire thing assembled outside so I might try to find something as a reference because the pictures dont do it justice.

[dixontj93060]

Huh?! Two 1010 rail buttons are more than enough for a 25lb rocket.

I just dont trust the 1010 Buttons on a rocket this size.

[Yoehahn]

I have had 1010 buttons fail before but it seems like the general consensus is that I should've using the 1010 I guess I'll try them

[dixontj93060]

If you mount them securely you will be fine.

I have had 1010 buttons fail before but it seems like the general consensus is that I should've using the 1010 I guess I'll try them

[Yoehahn]

I mount the buttons through my CR's all the time. On my 4" darkstar I had 1010 buttons on originally and first flight the screws sheared off so I just put 1515 on

[dixontj93060]

Doesn't that kit only have 1/8" fiberglass CRs? If so, that won't provide a secure attach point. I always use t-nuts. If I don't have at least a 3/8" wood CR to mount them laterally, I mount them into a piece of wood trim or invert them and bend them to fit the inside arc of the airframe and then epoxy in place.

I mount the buttons through my CR's all the time. On my 4" darkstar I had 1010 buttons on originally and first flight the screws sheared off so I just put 1515 on