V14 Rocket all PVC @ 34 lbs finally finished and flies to 11,000 ft .....own design

[jetman404us]

For my Tripoli L3 flight, as an alternative to expensive Carbon fiber and fiberglass, I decided to design an all PVC rocket that is 4in dia, 9ft 3in ht, with a RTF mass of 34lbs and can easily fly well over mach +1 values. On board video analysis and post flight of Public Missiles altimeter data, (3 total) confirmed the V14 flew 11,000 ft at 1.2 mach or 920 mph. The body consist of PVC sewer pipe epoxied over a PML tube. This method of construction is very strong and much cheaper to do, without a doubt then the expensive counterparts.

Video of flight/project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6JBVRkGq-s

Michael
Tripoli L3 12438
Tampa, Florida TTRA

[JStitz]

Hey..4" Schedule 14 is commonly used as firework launching tubes..I'm

Edit: Yea sewer pipe is kind flexy and could use a phenolic stuffer tube. Schedule 14 is mega heavy.

[awseiger]

I've always wanted to do this... Some Cellular core 4" pipe would make a killer HPR airframe tube.

[jetman404us]

Hey..4" Schedule 14 is commonly used as firework launching tubes..I'm

Edit: Yea sewer pipe is kind flexy and could use a phenolic stuffer tube. Schedule 14 is mega heavy.

With sewer pipe over PML, you can whack it with a hammer and it just bounces off!

[jsargevt]

Wow nice flight and well done video. The montage of construction photos was fun to watch. Thanks for sharing!

[Wiley]

Hey..4" Schedule 14 is commonly used as firework launching tubes..I'm

Just a quick note: PVC is never used as a mortar tube; HDPE or fiberglass are used instead. If a shell blows in a PVC gun, it sends countless razor sharp PVC shards in all directions. With HDPE or fiberglass, the gun just splits down the side and no shrapnel is produced.

Awesome rocket BTW!

[cwbullet]

Nice flight. What is the music you used in the video? My wife and I are trying to figure it out.

[JStitz]

Just a quick note: PVC is never used as a mortar tube; HDPE or fiberglass are used instead. If a shell blows in a PVC gun, it sends countless razor sharp PVC shards in all directions. With HDPE or fiberglass, the gun just splits down the side and no shrapnel is produced.

Awesome rocket BTW!

Wiley,you are correct we used schedule 40 or 80 with wood bulkheads only in a pinch and now there is no excuse for it.
We DID have to use tubes 7 days a week at EPCOT.
I remember one black 1-piece poly tube that had a spiral zipper around the tube about 20"
I sometimes see the aqua colored tubing at Home Despot or Owes...is this sewer tubing also?

[jetman404us]

Nice flight. What is the music you used in the video? My wife and I are trying to figure it out.

I use all underground music that is not copy righted etc.

Michael