1950's cartoon rocket: No cardboard, No fiberglass, No carbon fiber, No sweat?

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FerdBerful

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This is just at the "what am I going to build after my next rocket?" stage,
but ...

While walking the dog this morning, I came up with I project to build after
I finish my L3 cert rocket (parts arriving tomorrow.)

Here's a "I'm really not an artist" sketch:

sketch.jpg

I Google'd around for an image that fit my fuzzy notion of a 1950's cartoon rocket.
This isn't exactly right, but it's in the neighborhood:

cartoonRocket.jpg

After I found the above I realized that the Rocketry Forum logo is maybe even
closer :facepalm:

Anyway I'm thinking 75mm motor mount, maybe 6 feet tall.

But what about the "No cardboard, No fiberglass, No carbon fiber" part?

Ah. Yes.

To make it interesting, I'm thinking I'd limit myself to "wood only", no cardboard.

My hazy idea is that I would use plywood centering rings as the "keel" that the
rest of the rocket hangs off of. I would then add "spokes" at (say) 30 degree
intervals made from plywood shaped like half the sketch. These would have
much of the interior part of the sheet removed leaving only enough material
to keep things from flopping around.

And then I'd add stringer between the plywood spokes. Finally I'd skin the skeleton
with sheets of (say) 1/32" plywood.


All comments welcome.
 
There was a kit released of TRF's rocket. It was released by Pem-Tec : https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/. I don't think it is sold anymore if it ever was. But I know some frequent people around here have it or know about it. They might give some insight on this.
What your talking about is BIG in comparison. Yea it can be done, I would research some RC airplane forums first, they do this all the time for big models.

^^^ Well RavenX gave you the short version of my post. I wonder if they are still being sold?
 
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There was a kit released of TRF's rocket. It was released by Pem-Tec : https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/. I don't think it is sold anymore if it ever was. But I know some frequent people around here have it or know about it. They might give some insight on this.
What your talking about is BIG in comparison. Yea it can be done, I would research some RC airplane forums first, they do this all the time for big models.

^^^ Well RavenX gave you the short version of my post. I wonder if they are still being sold?

Thanks. I saw one of these at a rocket launch a while back. I think it was a "Bucky Jones - Space Cadet"

That's definitely the neighborhood I'm aiming for.
 
I got an email from a friend pointing out some potential problems.

So I used a little "The Gimp"-foo to create sketch-on-napkin 2.0:
(I stretched it in the vertical direction.)

sketchStretch.jpg

This is all very rough, at this point. I realized (duh) it's probably
a good idea to make as small prototype fist. (Don't want to hit someone
with a big rocket if I don't have to.):)
 
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Sounds like a boat building method of construction. I'm working on something similar, more a bomb shape though, nose cone directly into a long tapering transition, straight conical instead. Lotsa cardboard.

I saw this one fly, can't remember if it was on I motor or even larger. Was largest motor ever flown on the HOVAR field. Nose cone of laminated 2x4's!. Launched off a 3/8" or 1/2" rod through the body.

Cats in Space:
View attachment 246538

Found his thread: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...o-rocket)-Flies-at-last!&highlight=cats+space
 
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Sounds like a boat building method of construction. I'm working on something similar, more a bomb shape though, nose cone directly into a long tapering transition, straight conical instead. Lotsa cardboard.

I saw this one fly, can't remember if it was on I motor or even larger. Was largest motor ever flown on the HOVAR field. Nose cone of laminated 2x4's!. Launched off a 3/8" or 1/2" rod through the body.

Cats in Space:
View attachment 246538

Found his thread: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...o-rocket)-Flies-at-last!&highlight=cats+space

Very cool rocket! Thanks for the pointers.
 
Have a look at this build of the Tin Tin rocket:
https://forum.ausrocketry.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5486

View attachment 314202

View attachment 314203

View attachment 314205


You might be able to get something from the build technique that applies to your rocket.

Okay, that's really big, and really cool, but I'm not sure those Aussies understand the meaning of the word "upscale"...

Plus, I'm not sure that will help the OP with non-fiberglass construction techniques, as there was talk in that thread of a filament winder!?!
 
Probably in the archives somewhere, but there was a build thread of a short stumpy rocket that was alter called " the rocket formally know as {I forget..}" as it was the visualization of a company logo. They (the company) came after him with a 'cease & desist' letter, so he changed the name to "formally known as.." it was similar to what you want.. all carved foam & 'epoxy panty hose' construction

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html
 
Probably in the archives somewhere, but there was a build thread of a short stumpy rocket that was alter called " the rocket formally know as {I forget..}" as it was the visualization of a company logo. They (the company) came after him with a 'cease & desist' letter, so he changed the name to "formally known as.." it was similar to what you want.. all carved foam & 'epoxy panty hose' construction

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html

That would be the Vatsaas brothers. They had some of the coolest rockets and one of the best rocketry sites out there. The site is no longer active, but you can view it in the Wayback Machine. Here's the 2011 version: https://web.archive.org/web/2012040...aas.org/rtv/arsenal/bradrocs/black/black.aspx I would check out the construction section as it has everything you could ever want to know about building odd shaped rockets. I would also save the info locally while you still can.
 
Plus, I'm not sure that will help the OP with non-fiberglass construction techniques, as there was talk in that thread of a filament winder!?!

The thread was pointed as as being in that style of rocket, and with some constructions techniques that may be useful. The rocket was built with hand layup (not filament wound, yet, anyway!) of fiberglass over shaped foam IIRC. Not a very difficult method, even if you are new to the F/G arena.
 
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