A break from computer modeling
Just recently I noticed something about the rockets I had been designing and building. They seemed to be "tube and fin" rockets (Blasphemy in the Halls of Pem-Tech), and were becoming more so as time marched on.
A brief analysis showed that I had become too dependant on Rocksim, and had begun to design through Rocksim colored glasses.
Now, don't get me wrong, the program is fantastic and a very valuable tool. But what good is the tool if the imagination using it has been stifled?
Two weeks ago I sat down at my bench without any preconcieved notions and no Rocksim. The computer was there, I mean I can't live without my laptop.
*twitch*
*twitch*
I don't have a laptop problem...
I am in complete control.
Yeah right.
Anyway....
Here are two of the rockets that came out of the Computer Modeling Free session.
First, "the Gorgon"
She consists of a Semroc BC-1043 nosecone (topped with three short sections of toothpick), a short length of Series 10 BT, a S-10 to BT-60 balsa transition and a short length of BT-60. The after section is a 1" length of BT-80 that supports the poster board wings at their midpoint.
The reverse cresent wings, connected to segments of Bt-5 at the tips, these segments are topped by Hartle resin NC's.
She has a single 24mm motor mount but I also built another version that has dual 18mm motor mounts.
So far she hasn't flown, but I hope to see her madien flight at Southern Thunder 2010.
The final finish will have gold highlights over the purple base coat. And, by the way, this was the second model I have painted with an airbrush. It took quite a few coats but I finally got it covered.
Here is the second product to come from my computer free designing.
Right now she doesn't have an official name but we call her "Code Name Kran".
Forgive the horrendous paintjob.....
My intent was to finsh it out in a Vorlon type of organic paintjob.
As you can tell, this was my first attempt to paint with an airbrush. The florescent green went on fine, but the black squiggles didn't come off as planned.
Structurally she is a BT-60 NC on a short section of BT-60 with a balsa transition to BT-50. A balsa transition back to a short section of BT-60 and capped off with a balsa boattail down to a 24mm motor mount. The 18" section pf BT-50 runs therought the airframe. Wings and fin are balsa with assorted BT-5 pods topped with Hartle resin nosecones.
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Originally Posted by dave carver
