rharshberger
Well-Known Member
Next spring I would like to do my L1 and possibly L2 certs based on a 4" Blue Tube 2.0 airframe with 54mm MMT depending on variant rocket will be between 60 an 80 inches tall. Eventually I would like to fly this rocket on the 54mm 6XL Cesaroni L motors. My real questions are:
Does Blue Tube need to be glassed for L motors and above (i may eventually build something for L3 cert or just a new motor section with 75mm MMT)?
Is 54mm Blue Tube to much overkill for the MMT or should I use somethng else
Is 1/4" Aircraft Ply strong enough for TTW fins without glassing or carbon skinning?
Would it be necessary or just a good idea to foam the fin can?
Is 1/4" Aircraft ply strong enough for Centering Rings since I have access to a local steel company I used to work for and can have an 1/8 aluminum thrust plate cut to fit over the bottom of the airframe?
A Baffle is planned as part of the motor section coupler to the drogue/mainbays as the L1 cert will be no electronics, and the drogue bay and main bay are to be interchangeable using plastic rivets so I can use the main bay for the L1 flight, then adding the AvBay Coupler do a L2 with dual deploy. The question here is with basically two couplers in the upper section (Av Bay and motor section to Drogue bay) any special precautions needed to make sure airframe is ok?
I am not a performance junkie, so altitude/speed optimization are not important to me, but cost is (3 small children, limits my funds). While G10 is better than ply for performance, my concern with it would be making sure I get a good bond. Quality of build is my big thing along with finish quality. My open rocket sim shows the bird will weigh around 12.5 lbs in its full stack L2 or J motor and above configuration.
Disclaimer: I know many people out there say use a kit for cert flights, but I take a lot of pride in getting something I designed and build to fly right the first time.
Does Blue Tube need to be glassed for L motors and above (i may eventually build something for L3 cert or just a new motor section with 75mm MMT)?
Is 54mm Blue Tube to much overkill for the MMT or should I use somethng else
Is 1/4" Aircraft Ply strong enough for TTW fins without glassing or carbon skinning?
Would it be necessary or just a good idea to foam the fin can?
Is 1/4" Aircraft ply strong enough for Centering Rings since I have access to a local steel company I used to work for and can have an 1/8 aluminum thrust plate cut to fit over the bottom of the airframe?
A Baffle is planned as part of the motor section coupler to the drogue/mainbays as the L1 cert will be no electronics, and the drogue bay and main bay are to be interchangeable using plastic rivets so I can use the main bay for the L1 flight, then adding the AvBay Coupler do a L2 with dual deploy. The question here is with basically two couplers in the upper section (Av Bay and motor section to Drogue bay) any special precautions needed to make sure airframe is ok?
I am not a performance junkie, so altitude/speed optimization are not important to me, but cost is (3 small children, limits my funds). While G10 is better than ply for performance, my concern with it would be making sure I get a good bond. Quality of build is my big thing along with finish quality. My open rocket sim shows the bird will weigh around 12.5 lbs in its full stack L2 or J motor and above configuration.
Disclaimer: I know many people out there say use a kit for cert flights, but I take a lot of pride in getting something I designed and build to fly right the first time.