Viperfixr
Born Again Rocketeer
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,474
- Reaction score
- 73
Being stationed at Nellis AFB in Nevada, I was recently invited to the 57th Munitions Flight for the ribbon cutting of their 'Heritage Room". Think of a bar with a lot of historical and cool things hanging from the walls where they socialize on late Friday afternoons. This particular organization builds ALL of the conventional munitions for Nellis AFB, which actually accounts for about 1/5th of all the expenditures across the USAF in a year--and that is A LOT. They know munitions very, very well. My rocketry passion came up, and the Chief Master Sergeant in charge invited me to build a rocket for their Heritage Room, fly it, then hang it from the ceiling above the 'bar' area. I am excited to do such a project, but I am struggling on what to pursue. Nellis is a all-fighter base with a long-ago bomber history. In fact, it is often called "The Home of the Fighter Pilot", but it is really the heart of the Combat Air Forces.
Whatever it is, this rocket should be large and visually appealing. The AIM-120B is often done and kinda easy for the the 1/2 scale size, but the 1/2 scale FG kit isn't cheap for 1 or 2 flights. Harder even for 1:1 scale. The AIM-9M is so old school, and the AIM-9X isn't stable however you try to make it work--it's made to be VERY maneuverable (the "X" is awesome). Of course, they build every kind of gravity weapon in the US military arsenal, but bombs and cluster munitions do not always make fantastic rockets. There are AGM-88s, AGM-65s and other missiles to go after, potentially. Options, options, options...
Keep in mind that this rocket may only fly once or twice before before becoming a museum piece. So, I am not really inclined to bother GaryT for a full-size AIM-120 in fiberglass when it's life is somewhat limited. I was thinking of a LOC Expediter and painting it like a fake USAF missile. Or, perhaps a LOC V-2 painted up. Maybe a 5.5" Polecat Thumper in some kind of USAF insignia. A scratch build is an option, but my time more limited that anything else--so I am inclined to adapt an existing kit.
What ideas do you all have? Any and all suggestions welcomed.
Mark
Whatever it is, this rocket should be large and visually appealing. The AIM-120B is often done and kinda easy for the the 1/2 scale size, but the 1/2 scale FG kit isn't cheap for 1 or 2 flights. Harder even for 1:1 scale. The AIM-9M is so old school, and the AIM-9X isn't stable however you try to make it work--it's made to be VERY maneuverable (the "X" is awesome). Of course, they build every kind of gravity weapon in the US military arsenal, but bombs and cluster munitions do not always make fantastic rockets. There are AGM-88s, AGM-65s and other missiles to go after, potentially. Options, options, options...
Keep in mind that this rocket may only fly once or twice before before becoming a museum piece. So, I am not really inclined to bother GaryT for a full-size AIM-120 in fiberglass when it's life is somewhat limited. I was thinking of a LOC Expediter and painting it like a fake USAF missile. Or, perhaps a LOC V-2 painted up. Maybe a 5.5" Polecat Thumper in some kind of USAF insignia. A scratch build is an option, but my time more limited that anything else--so I am inclined to adapt an existing kit.
What ideas do you all have? Any and all suggestions welcomed.
Mark