Ariane 5 JWST Scratch build 1/96 scale

[Raptor 2]

Thanks to Lakeroadster for giving me the idea of building this model flying the colours of the JWST. This one was going to be a challenge because of the curved nose cone. At the scale I’m building this requires a BT-70 tube for the main frame and there is no available cone on the market I could find. I also don’t have a lath nor a 3D printer so I’m going to build the cone using 4 separate cardstock transitions.I designed the build for the cone on AutoCAD. It requires 3 interior shoulder tubes to support the first 2 transitions and 6 centering rings to support the upper transitions and center the supporting interior BT-20 tube. An 11 mm plastic bead caps the nose cone. Thanks also goes to Peter Alway for the technical drawing he posted on Lakeroadster’s thread which is very helpful for dimensions.
I figured I’d build the nose cone first to see if I could do it and then proceed with the design and build of the remainder. Next challenge will be the offset nose cones on the boosters. I’ve never built those before. Will be using a Christmas gift wrap tube for the SRBs. Just the right diameter.

 

[Huxter]

Looks like a fun build! Good point on starting w nose cones. You may have to iterate thru a few of them to get it right? Good luck

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed the off center nose cones for the SRBs. Installed three centering rings along with a bulkhead stop in each tube for the pressure fit fin tubes to be inserted. Completed some of detailing on the lower ends with cardstock transitions harden with CA. Srayed the main frame upper nose cone with Rust-oleum Filler Primer and sanded smooth. Waiting for my order of BT-70 tubes to arrive so I can start on the main frame tube build. ETA is January 28th so I won’t get much done as I’m heading down under on Feb 2nd for 5 weeks. Going birding in Tass, NSW, Vic and Queensland. Bugging out of the cold.

 

[Raptor 2]

Cardstock wraps secured to the SRBs with 3M double sided tape.

 

[Raptor 2]

Insignia added to the boosters and some pipe details at the bottom.

 

[Raptor 2]

Cardstock wraps prepared and ready to be secured to the main frame tube with 3M double sided tape. Nice thing about wraps you don’t have to fill the spirals on the tubes. Always a plus!

 

[Sherlock]

How did you come up with the cardstock wraps? Was there an online source for those designs and you just printed them out? They look really nice!

 

[Raptor 2]

How did you come up with the cardstock wraps? Was there an online source for those designs and you just printed them out? They look really nice!

How did you come up with the cardstock wraps? Was there an online source for those designs and you just printed them out? They look really nice!

I used some of the prints from the following site amxpaperspacescalemodels.com. They have scale cardstock models at the scale I was using. I printed out the lower portion of the rocket from their models and used the information on the upper parts to draw out wraps on AutoCAD. The models on the site were not tall enough and had the wrong logos on them. I had to track down images for the JWST model and scale them down to the right size. The logos are separate from the wraps and will have to be glued on in the correct locations. The cardstock they are printed on has a satin shine to it. The lower grey wrap has been secured to the tube.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed applying the wraps except for the the area above the separation line. That will be it for awhile as we’re off to to Australia for five weeks to visit two of our daughters.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed adding some more detailing to the model. Pipping installed using plastic rods and strips. Created lower details from balsa wood and beads. Conduit runs and separation thrusters installed on SRBs

 

[Raptor 2]

Developed a plywood jig to raise the offset SRBs up off the table 12mm centred on the sustainer stage. Doing the final test fit for the booster connections before glueing them on. Will have to do a bit of sanding. Holding the SRBs on with just two 3/4” x 1/4” balsa blocks sanded to the curve of each. Hopefully that will be strong enough to keep the boosters on the sustainer under an aerotech E30 -4. They carry the fin tubes. It be a shame to loss those at lift off.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed glueing the SRBs to the sustainer. I also added plastic rods to the lower end of the sustainer/SRBs to mimic the connecting hardware on the Ariane. Added the James Webb and related logos to the top end. The whole model was then clear coated with Krylon acrylic. Total weight including 30” nylon chute and Aerotech E30-4 came in at 311gm (10.97oz). Total hit including fin tubes is 654mm ( 25.75”). CG 393mm CP 527mm 2.38 stability.
It was a fun and challenging build to come with ways to construct all the detailing required for the sustainer / SRBs conduits. Detailing the flares on the lower SRB ends, connection hardware, and detailing on the backend of the sustainer.

 

[lakeroadster]

Epic... well done!

Have you done a simulation? What motor will you be using?

 

[Raptor 2]

Epic... well done!

Have you done a simulation? What motor will you be using?

Using aerotech E30-4 apogee at 820 ft. 57ft/sec off the rod. I hope the SRBs stay on the sustainer with the acceleration. They are glued on in only two small locations and they carry the stabilizing fins. Thanks for the incentive you provided to get me started doing this. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

 

[lakeroadster]

Using aerotech E30-4 apogee at 820 ft. 57ft/sec off the rod. I hope the SRBs stay on the sustainer with the acceleration. They are glued on in only two small locations and they carry the stabilizing fins. Thanks for the incentive you provided to get me started doing this. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

If I were you, I think I would try a motor w/ less punch for the first flight? Maybe a D12? I'd hate to see it shred.

As for the incentive.. thanks, but you did all the work. I was thrilled to see that you made it a reality.

 

[Raptor 2]

If I were you, I think I would try a motor w/ less punch for the first flight? Maybe a D12? I'd hate to see it shred.

As for the incentive.. thanks, but you did all the work. I was thrilled to see that you made it a reality.

Good idea. Simulation on D12 shows a velocity of 39.6 ft/ sec of the the rod. Definitely a lot less Gs on the launch.
Apogee of 283ft okay for a first flight. An E12 has a speed of 40.6 and an apogee of 538 ft. Try that for second launch. As for all the work ........it was more like playing