rocketgeek101
Well-Known Member
Hello all!
This is the build thread for my Estes Nike Smoke. The kit is 41.8 inches tall, 3 inches in diameter and features a 29 millimeter motor mount.
Here is a pic of the rocket from the Estes website.
I just placed the order for the kit today (Cost me $59 with free shipping!!:grin, so I'll probably only receive it in a week or so. I also ordered some stuff from Apogee for this build (as well as a few things for my other MPR rockets too). I'm hoping to have this one ready to fly by next month.
This will be purely a MPR flyer for now. When I get my HPR certification I may fly it on a baby H, but until then I'll be only flying it on CTI F and G motors. Running a few rough simulations with a file I got on this forum from Rex R, It looks like I can expect around 2000ft flights on G motors which is more then high enough to satisfy me (I like the idea of high altitude flights, but I also like to be able to see my rocket during the entire flight).
Right now my plan is to paint it in the traditional paint scheme, but (assuming funds permit) give it its own unique twist with the help of stickershock23.
Modifications I plan on doing include:
-Replace the Estes retainer with an Aero Pack.
-Add a length of Kevlar to the shock cord (still debating on whether to use an eyebolt or just attach it Wildman style).
-Replacing the launch lugs with rail buttons (might use both we'll see).
-Use a Nomex blanket to protect the recovery system.
I've been researching the Nike Smoke on Google. There doesn't seem to be that much info on the original out there. So far I've found a few low quality pictures and one excellent scale diagram. Here is a link to some of the pictures I found: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nike_Smoke If anybody has some pictures of the real Nike Smoke, could you please post them here? Thanks.
Anyway thats all for now,
rocketgeek101
This is the build thread for my Estes Nike Smoke. The kit is 41.8 inches tall, 3 inches in diameter and features a 29 millimeter motor mount.
Here is a pic of the rocket from the Estes website.
I just placed the order for the kit today (Cost me $59 with free shipping!!:grin, so I'll probably only receive it in a week or so. I also ordered some stuff from Apogee for this build (as well as a few things for my other MPR rockets too). I'm hoping to have this one ready to fly by next month.
This will be purely a MPR flyer for now. When I get my HPR certification I may fly it on a baby H, but until then I'll be only flying it on CTI F and G motors. Running a few rough simulations with a file I got on this forum from Rex R, It looks like I can expect around 2000ft flights on G motors which is more then high enough to satisfy me (I like the idea of high altitude flights, but I also like to be able to see my rocket during the entire flight).
Right now my plan is to paint it in the traditional paint scheme, but (assuming funds permit) give it its own unique twist with the help of stickershock23.
Modifications I plan on doing include:
-Replace the Estes retainer with an Aero Pack.
-Add a length of Kevlar to the shock cord (still debating on whether to use an eyebolt or just attach it Wildman style).
-Replacing the launch lugs with rail buttons (might use both we'll see).
-Use a Nomex blanket to protect the recovery system.
I've been researching the Nike Smoke on Google. There doesn't seem to be that much info on the original out there. So far I've found a few low quality pictures and one excellent scale diagram. Here is a link to some of the pictures I found: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nike_Smoke If anybody has some pictures of the real Nike Smoke, could you please post them here? Thanks.
Anyway thats all for now,
rocketgeek101