robbdm
Rocketry Tourist
I saw the Nike-Apache kit on pre-Black Friday sales and ordered one. I was hesitant on purchasing because of the clearance for 29 mm staging, from my build on 38 mm two stages I knew it be super tight but at $99 what the heck.
I used the long MLK holiday weekend to build. Here are my modification notes to my build so far.
Using the build instruction as a key:
B replace short nose cone coupler with 5 inch one to allow for Missile Works T3 or Eggfinder mini. Only ~8 inches so small antenna needed. Plan to use Missile Works or Eggfinder sleds.
E Using Missile Works RRC3 for staging ignition. The RRC3 is ~4 inches long. So replaced the coupler with 8 inch one to allow room. Plan to use Missile Works 29 mm sled for the RRC3 mounting.
H notched fin roots to allow for deeper recess need for retainer. Test with your motor since clearance vary with motor.
J cut slot centering rings to allow 3/16 break line to pass, used epoxy to seal. Shaved center rings carefully to allow clearance for break-line making sure still lined up.
photo of retainer notched
I added slight groove to make some room for 3/16 ridge break line. Used 29mm Giant Leap slim line retainer notched for access. Used 1 ½ bar of aluminum to tighten/loosen. Added a bulk head plate to seal top of coupler. Drilled hole in center of coupler, added T-Nut and ¼ threaded rod for altimeter bay. Added 1/8 inch kelvar to harness anchor.
photo of shooter wire fished into 3/16" break line
photo of retainer seated with no motor
photo of motor in tube without retainer
photo of motor with retainer installed
K Added vent switch band. Allow inter-coupler length to allow motor and retainer
N Plan to use Garmin DC40 for tracking and Stratogger for parachute deployment so I needed more room coupler provided. Used 6 inch one for the extra room. Added threaded rod and 4 inch bulk and air frame couplers to seal coupler. Added U ring to attached harness to booster.
O Added rail buttons to booster section only.
Q Added Aerotech 54mm retainer. Added 1 inch Kevlar to harness anchor.
I used the long MLK holiday weekend to build. Here are my modification notes to my build so far.
Using the build instruction as a key:
B replace short nose cone coupler with 5 inch one to allow for Missile Works T3 or Eggfinder mini. Only ~8 inches so small antenna needed. Plan to use Missile Works or Eggfinder sleds.
E Using Missile Works RRC3 for staging ignition. The RRC3 is ~4 inches long. So replaced the coupler with 8 inch one to allow room. Plan to use Missile Works 29 mm sled for the RRC3 mounting.
H notched fin roots to allow for deeper recess need for retainer. Test with your motor since clearance vary with motor.
J cut slot centering rings to allow 3/16 break line to pass, used epoxy to seal. Shaved center rings carefully to allow clearance for break-line making sure still lined up.
photo of retainer notched
I added slight groove to make some room for 3/16 ridge break line. Used 29mm Giant Leap slim line retainer notched for access. Used 1 ½ bar of aluminum to tighten/loosen. Added a bulk head plate to seal top of coupler. Drilled hole in center of coupler, added T-Nut and ¼ threaded rod for altimeter bay. Added 1/8 inch kelvar to harness anchor.
photo of shooter wire fished into 3/16" break line
photo of retainer seated with no motor
photo of motor in tube without retainer
photo of motor with retainer installed
K Added vent switch band. Allow inter-coupler length to allow motor and retainer
N Plan to use Garmin DC40 for tracking and Stratogger for parachute deployment so I needed more room coupler provided. Used 6 inch one for the extra room. Added threaded rod and 4 inch bulk and air frame couplers to seal coupler. Added U ring to attached harness to booster.
O Added rail buttons to booster section only.
Q Added Aerotech 54mm retainer. Added 1 inch Kevlar to harness anchor.