Hello everyone,
Since I became a BAR, I've gotten a few builds under my belt and I feel I'm ready to start procuring parts and pieces to begin working on a 4" (300%) upscale of my very favorite rocket as a kid, the classic Estes Photon Probe. I've read the two threads on this forum (judo's and sodmeister's) front to back at least 5 times each so obviously it's not like this hasn't been done before, but I would like to do a few things to make the build my own.
I plan to build using the 4" LOC tubing and the LOC blunt-nose cone because it looks very similar to the Estes version. From there, the rest of the options have not been completely decided yet. Before I begin buying the materials, I wanted to ask for some advice from the forum on a few aspects.
1. I'm torn between a 38mm motor mount or a 54mm mount. I plan on using this rocket to attempt my L1 certification. Obviously, I would be flying it on a 38mm motor in the beginning, but I'm wondering if for later on a 54mm would be ideal? Obviously I can adapt down to a 38mm. Judo or sodmeister, any input after experience with yours?
2. As far as my capabilities to hand fabricate wooden components, I have access to a band saw so I'm not worried much about cutting the fins. However, I will be purchasing plywood centering rings. The 38mm to 98mm rings I found are 1/8" in thickness. The 54mm to 98mm are 1/4" in thickness. I was wondering if the 1/8" rings are adequate if I build using the 38mm MMT or should I double them up to get 1/4" thick rings?
3. Fin thickness is something I'm also wanting to ask about. I'm thinking 1/4" ply. Is that usually the best choice for a 4" model?
4. As far as the fin attachments, I'm obviously going to mount the large main fins through the wall to the motor mount tube. However, I'm not sure how I want to mount the smaller forward fins. I see judo mounted to the tube, while sodmeister mounted them through the wall. Seeing that they shouldn't ever really take the brunt of any hits in to the ground during recovery, do they really need to be through the wall? Any words of advice?
5. Lastly, I'm really intrigued by dual deployment and I'd really like to build this as a DD rocket. OpenRocket sims to about 2,100 feet on an I285. I'd hate to think about this thing drifting a mile on a 5 foot parachute in the breeze. I understand DD is a lot more complicated, but I think that is what would make it more fun.
I'm sure I will have more questions after I start constructing the rocket. I'm going to attach my OpenRocket file if anyone is interested in taking a peek and offering any advice or suggestions.
Thanks for your time!
View attachment 4 inch Photon Probe.ork
Since I became a BAR, I've gotten a few builds under my belt and I feel I'm ready to start procuring parts and pieces to begin working on a 4" (300%) upscale of my very favorite rocket as a kid, the classic Estes Photon Probe. I've read the two threads on this forum (judo's and sodmeister's) front to back at least 5 times each so obviously it's not like this hasn't been done before, but I would like to do a few things to make the build my own.
I plan to build using the 4" LOC tubing and the LOC blunt-nose cone because it looks very similar to the Estes version. From there, the rest of the options have not been completely decided yet. Before I begin buying the materials, I wanted to ask for some advice from the forum on a few aspects.
1. I'm torn between a 38mm motor mount or a 54mm mount. I plan on using this rocket to attempt my L1 certification. Obviously, I would be flying it on a 38mm motor in the beginning, but I'm wondering if for later on a 54mm would be ideal? Obviously I can adapt down to a 38mm. Judo or sodmeister, any input after experience with yours?
2. As far as my capabilities to hand fabricate wooden components, I have access to a band saw so I'm not worried much about cutting the fins. However, I will be purchasing plywood centering rings. The 38mm to 98mm rings I found are 1/8" in thickness. The 54mm to 98mm are 1/4" in thickness. I was wondering if the 1/8" rings are adequate if I build using the 38mm MMT or should I double them up to get 1/4" thick rings?
3. Fin thickness is something I'm also wanting to ask about. I'm thinking 1/4" ply. Is that usually the best choice for a 4" model?
4. As far as the fin attachments, I'm obviously going to mount the large main fins through the wall to the motor mount tube. However, I'm not sure how I want to mount the smaller forward fins. I see judo mounted to the tube, while sodmeister mounted them through the wall. Seeing that they shouldn't ever really take the brunt of any hits in to the ground during recovery, do they really need to be through the wall? Any words of advice?
5. Lastly, I'm really intrigued by dual deployment and I'd really like to build this as a DD rocket. OpenRocket sims to about 2,100 feet on an I285. I'd hate to think about this thing drifting a mile on a 5 foot parachute in the breeze. I understand DD is a lot more complicated, but I think that is what would make it more fun.
I'm sure I will have more questions after I start constructing the rocket. I'm going to attach my OpenRocket file if anyone is interested in taking a peek and offering any advice or suggestions.
Thanks for your time!
View attachment 4 inch Photon Probe.ork
