Ccolvin968
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- Oct 10, 2016
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This is my first two stage kit that I've done in years.
Obviously, it started out with the usual inventory and everything was there.
I was kind of surprised to see the bottom of the payload bay was a piece of balsa rather than plastic.
After reading through the directions quickly, I knew I was going to make some slight alterations.
The instructions said to tape around the base of the payload bay to get a very snug fit and to do the same with the nose cone.
I ended up using 30 minute slow cure epoxy. I really didn't like the idea that the part that would return the bottom half of my rocket was friction fit only and nothing else.
Just a side view of how I epoxied the balsa coupler into the payload bay.
I ended up backing it out a little bit more before it cured.
There isn't much you can fit in this little guy.
I figured that I would fly some of the fireball hard candies and give them to some of the younger kids after they made it back.
It also turns out that it fits the JL Altimeter 1 just fine, and the Altimeter 3, but just barely. The Altimeter 3 is it's max capability in width.
I used a fishing snap swivel rated to 80 pounds and attached the kit parachute (10 inch corner to corner) to the swivel end.
It turned out really well actually and doesn't get in the way.
I could have gone a bit smaller but it's what I have on hand.
I rounded the fins a bit on both the booster and the sustainer.
End result (minus the paint... still trying to decide on colors.) This is by far one of the neatest jobs I've ever done.
I just used to throw the kits together as a kid and fly them without a second thought.
Now days, as a 24 year old kid, this is my escape and down time from a very busy work and family life.
Although the older of the two kiddos loves "helping" me put them together. Still... It's great to have new blood in the hobby.
Thanks for reading!
Obviously, it started out with the usual inventory and everything was there.
I was kind of surprised to see the bottom of the payload bay was a piece of balsa rather than plastic.
After reading through the directions quickly, I knew I was going to make some slight alterations.
The instructions said to tape around the base of the payload bay to get a very snug fit and to do the same with the nose cone.
I ended up using 30 minute slow cure epoxy. I really didn't like the idea that the part that would return the bottom half of my rocket was friction fit only and nothing else.
Just a side view of how I epoxied the balsa coupler into the payload bay.
I ended up backing it out a little bit more before it cured.
There isn't much you can fit in this little guy.
I figured that I would fly some of the fireball hard candies and give them to some of the younger kids after they made it back.
It also turns out that it fits the JL Altimeter 1 just fine, and the Altimeter 3, but just barely. The Altimeter 3 is it's max capability in width.
I used a fishing snap swivel rated to 80 pounds and attached the kit parachute (10 inch corner to corner) to the swivel end.
It turned out really well actually and doesn't get in the way.
I could have gone a bit smaller but it's what I have on hand.
I rounded the fins a bit on both the booster and the sustainer.
End result (minus the paint... still trying to decide on colors.) This is by far one of the neatest jobs I've ever done.
I just used to throw the kits together as a kid and fly them without a second thought.
Now days, as a 24 year old kid, this is my escape and down time from a very busy work and family life.
Although the older of the two kiddos loves "helping" me put them together. Still... It's great to have new blood in the hobby.
Thanks for reading!