NCR Nomad = Canaroc Nomad = Sunward Rocket Glider?

[David_Stack]

Good afternoon all;

Going through older posts/build threads, it seems the consensus was that the Rocket Glider as sold by Sunward was essentially the same as the Nomad which was kitted by Canaroc.

Looking at the North Coast Rocketry catalog from 90/91, I see that they also offered a rocket glider which they called the "Nomad". Are these all one and the same? Love the looks of the wing planform, and would consider building one, but a search has failed to turn up any detailed patterns/plan drawings for the NCR Nomad (plenty of documentation for the Canaroc Nomad out there however)

Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

[chiliondanforth]

Yes, in short the Sunward Boost Glider (Previously called Rocket Glider) was very similar model to the Nomad. If you are looking for a sunward Boost Glider, my company BnB Rockets bought the production rights to sunwards line of kits, of which we have begun reproducing and improving. We currently have three models with a fourth coming soon, all available at BnBRockets.com

 

[aerostadt]

Sunward sold a piston launcher years ago. Any chance that you might be re-releasing the piston launcher?

 

[chiliondanforth]

Sunward sold a piston launcher years ago. Any chance that you might be re-releasing the piston launcher?

Unfortunately the plans where not included in the purchase of rights to produce. We still may eventually re-make the piston launcher.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Sunward sold a piston launcher years ago. Any chance that you might be re-releasing the piston launcher?

https://www.nar.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Piston-Launchers-Stevens.pdf

https://www.narhams.org/library/tech/008b-PistonSupplement.pdf

https://www.nar.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Zero-Volume-Piston-Launcher-Burzynski.pdf

 

[aerostadt]

Thanks, Dave, I have most of these. There's no shortage of information about pistons on the internet. I am surprised that no model rocket companies currently make a kit.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Thanks, Dave, I have most of these. There's no shortage of information about pistons on the internet. I am surprised that no model rocket companies currently make a kit.

(1) Pistons are mostly used in competition.
(2) Comparatively speaking, very little competition is being flown, currently.
(3) There are very few "true competition" kits on the market.
(4) Most pistons are scratch-built, not kits.

Dave F.

 

[aerostadt]

Many competition model rocket kits are currently being sold by Apogee, J & H Aerospace, and Aerospace Specialty Products.

 

[Alan15578]

Many competition model rocket kits are currently being sold by Apogee, J & H Aerospace, and Aerospace Specialty Products.

Really? What are their sales numbers? Or perhaps you meant that many different kits are offered for sale, even though actual sales are low.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Many competition model rocket kits are currently being sold by Apogee, J & H Aerospace, and Aerospace Specialty Products.

Really? What are their sales numbers? Or perhaps you meant that many different kits are offered for sale, even though actual sales are low.

Technically, ANY rockets can be flown in competition, but it takes a speciallized design to win or place, on a consistent basis.

SOME of the designs at these links ARE "true competition" models, others are NOT.

APOGEE
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Model-Rocket-Kits/FAI-Competition-Kits
https://www.apogeerockets.com/index...mpetition&inc_subcat=0&sort=20a&pagecount=all

J&H
https://jhaerospace.com/product-category/rocket-gliders

A.S.P.
https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/ASP-Competition-Model-Rocket-Kits.cfm?cat_id=9
https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/Competition-Model-Rocket-Kits-from-other-Manufacturers.cfm?cat_id=127

I like Apogee's "Midge" payload rocket and A.S.P.'s egglofters . . .

Frankly, GLIDERS are where the largest range of performance exists . . . How many of those free-flight glider designs above would have a realistic chance against this type of free-flight RG ? ( below )

That is not to say there is anything "wrong" with any of those kits, just that they are not "maximum performance" models.

 

[aerostadt]

If you hit a thermal, a common commercial glider may be able to compete with the fancier model. Also, a thermal can help other model events.

 

[Ez2cDave]

If you hit a thermal, a common commercial glider may be able to compete with the fancier model. Also, a thermal can help other model events.

It MAY. but the high-performance model will benefit even more from that thermal and from much weaker ones. Your strategy is to hope to get lucky and catch a "boomer" thermal. Remember that Glider events consist of multiple flights, not just one flight. This is especially true, if flying a "milui-round" event with "maxes" for each round.

Also, for whomever my bring up the greater possibility of losing the high-performance model, de-thermalizer's are "de riguer" on these models, especially if the "return rule" is in effect.

Winning in glider events is pretty much all about minimum wing loading, minimum cross-section ( low drag ), maximum lift ( airfoiled surfaces ), and "picking good air".

Remember, we are talking about free-flight models here, not RC (a whole different subject, but the same basic "rules" apply to winning).

Dave F.