Custom 4" bullpup from Mac performance - new xx-phenolic

[bobbyg23]

I've always wanted a 4" bullpup and after seeing a 2.6" a couple of weeks ago a sent a message to Mike at Mac performance. He was excited by the venture and a few messages and a phone call later he was designing one for me. I love how it turned out and can't wait to get building on it. The new tubing is amazing. It is traditional dual deployment, but the nosecone is open so it has plenty of room for the main. There is a short kevlar cord fastened to the nosecone screw so the entire nosecone is open. 54mm motor mount. 53" and right around 5.5lbs is what it should be when finished. Thrust plate 9n the boat tail so it will be extremely strong.

 

[Banzai88]

Mike makes great stuff. Should be a cool build

 

[bunkermonkey9]

Can’t wait to see how this turns out

 

[bobbyg23]

..

 

[bobbyg23]

Ready for paint

 

[bobbyg23]

We have paint.

 

[DerRedMax]

Nice looking rocket!!

 

[bobbyg23]

Stickershock decals installed

 

[darrenf]

Looks fantastic. Always one of my favorite designs.

 

[bobbyg23]

Looks fantastic. Always one of my favorite designs.

Thanks. One of my favorites also. I've always wanted a 4" one, and now I have it.

 

[bunkermonkey9]

Love it.

 

[jmasterj]

Stickershock decals installed

Damn that was a fast build! Looks great.

 

[rfjustin]

Stickershock decals installed

Decals make that puppy pop!

 

[bobbyg23]

Decals make that puppy pop!

Yes they do. They make the rocket

 

[Phill]

That's awesome! How much was the kit? This is what I'm after!

 

[bobbyg23]

That's awesome! How much was the kit? This is what I'm after!

It is a one off. Mike might be able to make you one though. $400 since it was custom.

 

[bobbyg23]

Well, the original one had an unfortunate demise so I asked if Mike could build me another one. We modified it slightly and this should be equally impressive. Added 2" overall and a way to easily add nose weight if needed.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

Caution! Phenolic tube is brittle. Strong in flight but if the booster section falls over on a concrete surface it's likely to crack. Looks like the nose is a Wildman filament wound fiberglass one. If you can, replace the main body with G12 to make a much more durable rocket.
I use XX phenolic for liners like Aerotech uses.

 

[bobbyg23]

Caution! Phenolic tube is brittle. Strong in flight but if the booster section falls over on a concrete surface it's likely to crack. Looks like the nose is a Wildman filament wound fiberglass one. If you can, replace the main body with G12 to make a much more durable rocket.
I use XX phenolic for liners like Aerotech uses.

This is different. Super strong. It's not normal phenolic tube. That's what makes Mac different. Thanks for the concern though.

 

[eggplant]

Not trying to be a jerk or to belittle Mike's products (I used his tubes for my L2) but like Rocketjunkie said, "XX phenolic" is literally the same stuff that many motor liners are made of, and is fairly brittle compared to a material like G10 or G12. I have a box of XX phenolic tubes that I make my motors with, and you can buy them from RCS or Loki Research in sizes that fit in standard motor cases, though for a bit more than Mike charges. Unlike PML's spiral wound paper phenolic (another material used for motor liners), it is absolutely strong enough for really any amateur flight and is awesome stuff to handle and finish. That said, I've had liners crack from dropping them, and my 4" canvas phenolic L2 tipped over once, and the end of the tube cracked.

 

[Ulexis]

Finished yet??? Photos?

 

[bobbyg23]

Finished yet??? Photos?

Yup.