Found USR Swarm kit or specs/plans for one

[John Kemker]

Trying to recover my lost youth. [grin]

I'd like a USR Swarm (unbuilt or partially-completed) kit. Failing that, I'd love it if someone could measure theirs and provide me with specs to recreate one for myself. (@Lawndart ? Dale?)

 

[J Blatz]

I’ve got one. NIB. Happy to pass along measurements but good luck getting the oddball cone and body tubes. It’s 6” and I don’t think anyone offers compatible parts.

 

[cwbullet]

I’ve got one. NIB. Happy to pass along measurements but good luck getting the oddball cone and body tubes. It’s 6” and I don’t think anyone offers compatible parts.

If you post measurements, I will desing a 3D printed version.

 

[tsmith1315]

I don't know how accurate this is, but maybe it'll do until @J Blatz can post data:

https://www.rocketreviews.com/us-rockets-swarm-9704.html

 

[cwbullet]

I don't know how accurate this is, but maybe it'll do until @J Blatz can post data:

https://www.rocketreviews.com/us-rockets-swarm-9704.html

ThanKs - that is enought.

@John Kemker - What size tubing? Which brand?

 

[John Kemker]

ThanKs - that is enought.

@John Kemker - What size tubing? Which brand?

Good question. Looking at Apogee, there's 6-inch Blue Tube. Probably go with that.

 

[cwbullet]

I will start on it on Tuesday.

 

[John Kemker]

I will start on it on Tuesday.

Thanks, Chuck!

(I may need you to actually print the NC for me, as I don't think my Neptune 3 Plus is big enough.)

 

[cwbullet]

Thanks, Chuck!

(I may need you to actually print the NC for me, as I don't think my Neptune 3 Plus is big enough

What are your print dimensions? I can make it to fit.

 

[John Kemker]

Since I'm using Blue Tube for the main airframe, I'll probably stick with all Blue Tube for the rest. At least it's better than the carpet cores that Jerry used. [grin]

 

[John Kemker]

What are your print dimensions? I can make it to fit.

320x320x400mm

 

[cwbullet]

320x320x400mm

The best way would be to print it in multiple parts and glue it together. Any features you want added to the nose cone?

 

[John Kemker]

The best way would be to print it in multiple parts and glue it together. Any features you want added to the nose cone?

HED capability. I'd like to be able to have the parachute in the nosecone, along with the altimeter. At apogee, the nose pops off and a streamer comes out. At 300 AGL (or maybe 500) the 'chute deploys. Unless I decide to JLCR it.

I need to find a source for someone to cut those fins for me, now. This is going to be a long project.

 

[Rschub]

Scott at Dragon Rocketry has a laser cutter if you want to use plywood fins.

 

[mtnmanak]

Have you tried emailing Jerry and asking him if he still has kits available? I have bought a few different versions of the Swarm from him in the past 12-24 months.

Here is his email: [email protected]

 

[J Blatz]

If you post measurements, I will desing a 3D printed version.

Have you tried emailing Jerry and asking him if he still has kits available? I have bought a few different versions of the Swarm from him in the past 12-24 months.

Here is his email: [email protected]

Mr Jerry, he dead sir.

 

[tsmith1315]

Have you tried emailing Jerry and asking him if he still has kits available

Sorry, I guess you hadn’t heard the news. There’s been some discussion the last few days.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/rest-in-peace-jerry-irvine.182632/

 

[cwbullet]

Mr Jerry, he dead sir.

I will keep my jokes to myself. It is too soon.

 

[bad_idea]

Mr Jerry, he dead sir.

I wanted to hit "like" on this because I've made the same Conrad reference many times in my life without ever running across anyone else who did, but I didn't want to give anyone the false impression I was grave dancing.

Edit to add: now that I think about it, was it Conrad?

Edit again: Conrad by way of Eliot. I finally twigged on it.

 

[mtnmanak]

Wow, definitely had not kept up with the news! Had no idea.

 

[mtnmanak]

Well, I guess now it would not be an issue to post his designs online. I have a bunch of his kits, including a Swarm, sitting around either built or in storage. May take me a while, but I will dig them out and post up the specs, photos, etc. I guess I can start a thread in the HPR section once I get around to it.

 

[cwbullet]

I am about 1/4 way through the design? I may adjust the nose cone to hold a tracker.

 

[John Kemker]

Consider this #Found (pending)

 

[John Kemker]

I am about 1/4 way through the design? I may adjust the nose cone to hold a tracker.

It's going to be very similar to a LOC Goblin/FiberMax nosecone in shape and proportions.

(Dang. I just finished off my cup of coffee. Have to make more.)

For a 3D printed version, I'm wondering about using spackle/CWF/Glazing Putty to smooth out the ridges. Maybe even silica-filled epoxy.

 

[cwbullet]

It's going to be very similar to a LOC Goblin/FiberMax nosecone in shape and proportions.

(Dang. I just finished off my cup of coffee. Have to make more.)

For a 3D printed version, I'm wondering about using spackle/CWF/Glazing Putty to smooth out the ridges. Maybe even silica-filled epoxy.

That would work. It will probably take be a week to design. I am toying with making spacers for the tubes

 

[J Blatz]

I wanted to hit "like" on this because I've made the same Conrad reference many times in my life without ever running across anyone else who did, but I didn't want to give anyone the false impression I was grave dancing.

Edit to add: now that I think about it, was it Conrad?

Edit again: Conrad by way of Eliot. I finally twigged on it.

Hell yeah. Conrad. But I got it from Hunter Thompson/Timothy Leary.

 

[John Kemker]

Had someone measure the fins and take pictures for me:

 

[John Kemker]

Need a copy of the instructions, if someone wants to scan/photograph and share. (Would prefer a scan to PDF.)

 

[Lawndart]

Had someone measure the fins and take pictures for me:

Consider upping the thickness of the fins. Prone to warping.

 

[John Kemker]

Consider upping the thickness of the fins. Prone to warping.

How much of that was due to the cheap plywood Jerry used? After all, the original had what coud charitably be described as "carpet tube" airframe!.

Will probably glass them, now that I have a vacuum pump, the vacuum bagging connector, and the rest of the materials to vacuum-bag them. Since I have two extra fins, I have a bit of leeway, in case I make a mistake.