Lakeroadster's TWA Moonliner

[lakeroadster]

My Father In Law worked at TWA pretty much from the time he was able to drive until he retired. He may be the greatest man I've ever met.

I feel compelled to build one of these.

There are numerous threads here on TRF in which the TWA Moonliner is discussed. There's even a link to plans for a paper model: TWA Moonliner paper model from Disney Experience.

This looks like a good candidate to turn on the wood lathe.

Moonliner II and Moonliner IV


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Moonliner III at Disneyland circa 1998


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Restored TWA Headquarters

 

[DigBaddy]

Oh, that's cool! This will be fun to watch you build

 

[lakeroadster]

While doing some on-line research today this plastic model of the Moonliner was found.

Based on the $22.00 price, it's worthy of buying and doing a bit of R&D to see if it can be modified into a flying model.

It's pretty tiny though. Hopefully big enough for a 18mm motor. T



If the model doesn't work...

I did a study drawing yesterday and made a CAD solid model based on the paper model available online. The paper model is much larger and has a major diameter of about 3 inches.

Once I had a preliminary shape in CAD I made a model in Open Rocket. It seems likely that a stable configuration can be made. It will likely need some Lexan fin inserts, made to fit inside the landing gear, but that shouldn't be to difficult to do. I'm not a fan of adding clear fins, but these won't be that noticeable.

It's kind of a heavy brute since it's made from pine, turned on my wood lathe. Therefore I made the landing legs beefy enough to stand some abuse, and a 29mm motor fits nicely in the lower boat tail. Of course a more traditional model rocket could be made by using paper transitions, but getting a nice sweeping curved profile will be much easier via turning it on the lathe. Alternatively, to minimize weight, a "rib & spar" construction could also be done in the manner used in model airplane construction.

 

[Cape Byron]

I've always thought a V-2 could be bashed into a reasonable Moonliner. One of my Spacemonkey kits in the build pile has that future in store.

 

[lakeroadster]

Here's the preliminary Moonliner... pretty stoked about how this is developing.

 

[lakeroadster]

I've always thought a V-2 could be bashed into a reasonable Moonliner. One of my Spacemonkey kits in the build pile has that future in store.

Here's a study drawing. The Moonliner nose cone is more conical, but the size and shape of the rest of the rocket appears identical.

 

[lakeroadster]

Drawing set for my version of the TWA Moonliner

 

[lakeroadster]

Updated Open Rocket Simulation, using weights and dimensions from the CAD model

 

[Cape Byron]

Here's a study drawing. The Moonliner nose cone is more conical, but the size and shape of the rest of the rocket appears identical.

View attachment 503259

Nice to know my old MK I calibrated eyeballs still work a bit.

<Insert joke about looking at bottoms instead of noses>

 

[MadRocketer]

This has my attention!

 

[lakeroadster]

On 2022-02-06 I ordered the piece parts I'll need for this scratch build from Balsa Machining Service.

I ended up buying F52-5C motors. Open Rocket sim's them as adequate to keep the thrust to weight ratio above 5:1.

In addition the F52-5C have a translucent exhaust plume studded with supersonic shock diamonds and no smoke, which appears to make the rocket leap off the launch pad.

Sounds perfect for a 1955 era "Moonliner", right?

 

[boatgeek]

FYI, I just flew a couple of F52-5C motors over the weekend. They ejected early, more like a 3-second delay. Nothing was damaged, but it was a little disappointing to get the pop so early in the coast. The pictures we got did have some nice mach diamonds in them.

 

[lakeroadster]

FYI, I just flew a couple of F52-5C motors over the weekend. They ejected early, more like a 3-second delay. Nothing was damaged, but it was a little disappointing to get the pop so early in the coast. The pictures we got did have some nice mach diamonds in them.

Ugh.. that may be an issue, maybe not. The nose cone is pretty heavy and I was hoping to get ejection after apogee.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[billeblurzz]

Hope to see success with this!

 

[billeblurzz]

Love my Glencoe model but had to make my own vinyl decals!

 

[lakeroadster]

Love my Glencoe model but had to make my own vinyl decals!View attachment 503878

I was going to buy one of those... but decided to just make my own. Did you make yours flyable?

 

[billeblurzz]

No I bought my model years ago and the decals were rotten so I cut some out of vinyl. In the 50s when Disneyland originally opened, I went on the Rocket To The Moon ride and saw the real TWA Moonliner! I've always liked the design!

 

[lakeroadster]

No I bought my model years ago and the decals were rotten so I cut some out of vinyl. In the 50s when Disneyland originally opened, I went on the Rocket To The Moon ride and saw the real TWA Moonliner! I've always liked the design!

If you could be so kind as to pull some dimensions from your model.. that would be awesome! Is it big enough to accommodate an 18 mm motor?

 

[mjennings]

Some one at Spaceport Rocketry flew the full scale card stock model on D's and it flew we'll. I tried to downscale the card model to 13mm and it was less than stable. It's a cool rocket hope it works!

 

[billeblurzz]

I do believe I have a spent 18mm motor with a tapered dowel in the nozzle to fit in a hole on the flame stand that it sets on. I will check later to make sure.

 

[billeblurzz]

Well here are rough dimensions of my Glencoe model: A-1.25". B-11.5". C-1.0". D-2 3/8". E-.75".

 

[lakeroadster]

Well here are rough dimensions of my Glencoe model: A-1.25". B-11.5". C-1.0". D-2 3/8". E-.75".

Thanks for taking the time to pull those dimensions. Sincerely appreciated.

Perfect size for an 18mm motor...

 

[billeblurzz]

You are welcome...hope those help...even though I mixed decimal and fractional dimensions!

 

[lakeroadster]

You are welcome...hope those help...even though I mixed decimal and fractional dimensions!

Don't be so hard on yourself.. file that under "It's all good".

 

[Flash]

Love a good 3D printable version

 

[lakeroadster]

Love a good 3D printable version

Make it so:

Sim It,​

Draw It,​

Print It,​

Fly It.​

 

[smstachwick]

If I ever go for a truly ridiculous Class 3 project, I want to do this as close to full scale as I can possibly get it.



I’d have a hard time deciding on the livery though. Tasty pizza or a legendary aviation pioneer? Cheap commercialism or an omen indicating an ending with a violent explosion? Tough choice.