MicroMaxxes launching from an R/C submarine

[Rapidnadion]

Title kinda says it all, doesn't it?

We attached some scratch-built nose cone dowels to some Quest MicroMaxx engines and gave them a paint job to ward off seawater soaking through, then glued igniters in place with Elmers Wood Glue to further prevent seawater intrusion. Custom-built launch system on the submarine (also scratch-built) was a servo-activated relay that directed current from the sub's main batteries to the igniter when a switch on the transmitter was pressed.

Launch tube was a disused piece of antenna from an old transmitter; it free flooded when sub was underway, so rockets couldn't spend long in the tube before firing (several swelled and didn't emerge from the tube properly).

Rockets didn't fly straight and true, tumbling lots without fins, but they got quite a lot of altitude. Not to worry; no one was around our deserted firing area, and those of us on-site to shoot this video wore safety goggles. Still a "don't-try-this-at-home" situation, but we liked the results.

Hope you guys and gals enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHeAPGi8Xzg

[FredA]

Now that was cool -- thanks for sharing!

[rstaff3]

I think that's pretty cool too! Looks like you had plenty of open space so no worries there

[blackbrandt]

Isn't this against the NAR safety code?

[rocketgeek101]

That is sooo cool.

[hcmbanjo]

WOW! Well produced video.
I was surprised by how much water was kicked up at the surface.

[JPVegh]

That was way too cool for school!

Thanks for sharing!

[Micromeister]

Very Nifty! Exceptional Video presentation.

It wouldn't be too difficult to add spring loaded pop-out fins to stabalize your missiles. You might want to look at building the missiles out of minimum dia buterate clear tube with nosecones & nozzle that are wax sealed to eliminate the swelling problem and allow extended underwater emersion.

Really KEWL Video!

[Disaster_Guy]

Isn't this against the NAR safety code?

MANY things are against NAR's safety code however there are also many uses for propellant (such as the MMX motors here) that have value and with some skill and common sense can be done safely. If this was done in the pond of a crowded park you would likely be hearing other responses from people. By the way, nothing in the model rocket code prohibits what was seen here.

[SSenesy]

+10 on the coolness scale. This is one of those things everyone wanted to do when you were a kid. Nice to see someone actually do it!

[cwbullet]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing the video.

[luke strawwalker]

Title kinda says it all, doesn't it?

We attached some scratch-built nose cone dowels to some Quest MicroMaxx engines and gave them a paint job to ward off seawater soaking through, then glued igniters in place with Elmers Wood Glue to further prevent seawater intrusion. Custom-built launch system on the submarine (also scratch-built) was a servo-activated relay that directed current from the sub's main batteries to the igniter when a switch on the transmitter was pressed.

Launch tube was a disused piece of antenna from an old transmitter; it free flooded when sub was underway, so rockets couldn't spend long in the tube before firing (several swelled and didn't emerge from the tube properly).

Rockets didn't fly straight and true, tumbling lots without fins, but they got quite a lot of altitude. Not to worry; no one was around our deserted firing area, and those of us on-site to shoot this video wore safety goggles. Still a "don't-try-this-at-home" situation, but we liked the results.

Hope you guys and gals enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHeAPGi8Xzg

EXTREMELY cool... glad you posted it...

I'd recommend adding a little bit of "stick" to the rocket sticking out below it... that will provide "skyrocket stability" similar to the old Congreve rockets and the regular old bottle rockets... a bamboo skewer should do nicely, just cut the sharp end off it before you tape it or glue it to the motor. In addition, the glue should help seal off the casing and prevent it from swelling.
The sticks might stick out the bottom of the sub a little, but it looks like your firing tubes are open on the bottom anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem...

Later! OL JR

They sure look good leaving the tubes!

[Rocketbuilder]

Very cool! I'm surprised how little effect the water resistance affected those tiny engines.
That's a really cool RC sub, too. Any info on it?

[Salvage-1]

I love these RapidNadion videos. Click on his Channel to see others, including how he made this sub. There are some cool videos of ship launched 'missiles', some going better than others.

[GDJ]

Well done sir! Excellent video!

Bloody cool sub BTW!

[MarkII]

I completely agree with the overwhelming acclaim that your video is getting here. What a well shot, well edited video!

I have often thought about trying something like this but I don't have anything like the modeling chops that you guys have. Nice work!

[cwbullet]

Isn't this against the NAR safety code?

There is nothing specific in the code from my view.

[awseiger]

That looks so Cool!!! now go join in with those guys who build battleship models armed with BB guns and wage war on each other...

On second thought that sub is beautiful and should never have anything launched at it.

[GRIFFIN]

Isn't this against the NAR safety code?

[eBob]

Aw gee! I was asked to do this for a friend's model sub when the Micro Maxx motors were first available here in Australia (1999 ?)

I told him "no way could this work..." *sigh*

Great to see the video - very professional!

[KevinMc]

Great work Rapidnadion! I'm glad to see I'm not the only nut.

The photos below capture the launch of a couple of scale P-700 "Granit" cruise missles from my scratch-built 1/96 scale OSCAR II. Launches took place at an isolated location in the Thousand Islands and are the result of many years of careful development.



Also MicroMaxx powered, these rockets have proven to have a very predictable flight path - they're adequately balanced and have just enough fin area that they don't tumble after launch. Cast from Alumalite they're essentially DIY LPBs, but because they're completely sealed I can run submerged as long as I want before mashing down the launch button.

This video captures the four-shot ripple-launch that yeilded the above photos. https://www.facebook.com/video/video...51213835545857

I've also come up with a sealed ignitor system and my own fire-control computer that manages which of the four rockets will be launched next, sequences opening/closing of the missile doors, and prevents glitchy radio signals from turning into accidental launches.

If you want to compare notes on what's worked and what hasn't I'll be happy to share what I've learned!

KMc

[Pem Tech]

Truly awesome....

[rstaff3]

This stuff is sooooo cool