XQ-58 Valkyrie - A Scratch Build / Scratch Design

[PaddyDaddy]

Try turning your phone sideways.

That worked, thanks. Who knew? I have a whole new forum to enjoy now!

 

[NTP2]

That worked, thanks. Who knew? I have a whole new forum to enjoy now!

I had to find that out too maybe it should be more obvious…

 

[lakeroadster]

This is such an awesome looking rocket. I'm on my 4th time through the thread! Is there something more to the BT300 fitting than just cutting out the two strips shown? It looks like its tapered not just chopped and channeled to use a hot rodding term
Thanks for the build thread and your reply

Thanks!​

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The BT-300 tubes have strips removed from the sides that go from nothing at the nose cone, to about 1/2" at the motor. This gives the rocket it's diminishing profile toward the motor.​

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And since the fins are mounted about 1/2" above the centerline, the top and bottom BT-300 fuselage "skins" are different.​

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This photo shows the fuselage variation at the motor, which is pretty dramatic.​

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[BABAR]

Dorsal Fins

I was on the fence about installing these.... the simulations shows no benefit at all. But I figured a little more fin area couldn't hurt.​

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They are TTW (thru-the-wall) and attach to the internal BT-60 mid-tube, as well as to the outer fuselage. They also really help to make the fuselage stiff.​

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Once the glue dries it's time to apply some CWF.​

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In the official XQ-58 these are just ventral fins, since officially this is just a non-weaponized test bed.

But in the Area 51 model these hide the PewPew cannons.

 

[Daddyisabar]

Dorsal Fins

I was on the fence about installing these.... the simulations shows no benefit at all. But I figured a little more fin area couldn't hurt.​

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They are TTW (thru-the-wall) and attach to the internal BT-60 mid-tube, as well as to the outer fuselage. They also really help to make the fuselage stiff.​

​

Once the glue dries it's time to apply some CWF.​

View attachment 613368View attachment 613369View attachment 613370View attachment 613382
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Like Dexter Jettster says to Obi-Wan at the diner. The machine simulations don't always work, they just look at and calculate symbols. Nothing beats a good mindsim and plenty of experience!

Those dorsal fins you got there, will help a bit with the dual lugs to balance all the asymmetrical drag on that silly airplane rocket. Machines don't look at asymmetrical drag.

Are those tiny "Interceptor" like fins enough drag to offset the ton of junk glued to the other side? Enough to bring balance to the Force, thereby preventing it from arcing over into the ground or going airplane off the rod for an RSO frightening flight? Don't know. Ask the oddroc fliers at the cantina. Mindsimmers they are. Darn good ones. Guess it depends on how good your manners are...and how big your pocket book is!

DISCLAIMER: The above post is for Dark Side comedy purposes that appeal only to oddroc scum and villainy.

All Younglings should embrace the trusted Jedi stability tools such as computer simulations and avoid dangerous oddroc mindsiming, especially in cantinas. Rocket science rules! Fantasies and dreaming of silly, unbalanced rockets flying straight is just that.

 

[lakeroadster]

Like Dexter Jettster says to Obi-Wan at the diner. The machine simulations don't always work, they just look at and calculate symbols. Nothing beats a good mindsim and plenty of experience!

Those dorsal fins you got there, will help a bit with the dual lugs to balance all the asymmetrical drag on that silly airplane rocket. Machines don't look at asymmetrical drag.

Are those tiny "Interceptor" like fins enough drag to offset the ton of junk glued to the other side? Enough to bring balance to the Force, thereby preventing it from arcing over into the ground or going airplane off the rod for an RSO frightening flight? Don't know. Ask the oddroc fliers at the cantina. Mindsimmers they are. Darn good ones. Guess it depends on how good your manners are...and how big your pocket book is!

DISCLAIMER: The above post is for Dark Side comedy purposes that appeal only to oddroc scum and villainy.

All Younglings should embrace the trusted Jedi stability tools such as computer simulations and avoid dangerous oddroc mindsiming, especially in cantinas. Rocket science rules! Fantasies and dreaming of silly, unbalanced rockets flying straight is just that.

You're overthinking this... I've got 10 bucks worth of tubes and wood in this rocket. Sure, there's a lot of labor, but that's expected.

In the end, the most expensive part will be the motor, which is expendable. Blow or go... it's likely to be spectacular...

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[Daddyisabar]

You're overthinking this... I've got 10 bucks worth of tubes and wood in this rocket. Sure, there's a lot of labor, but that's expected.

In the end, the most expensive part will be the motor, which is expendable. Blow or go... it's likely to be spectacular...

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Darn mindsimmers. Always over analyzing! I sense much fear in them. Just push the dern button!

 

[lakeroadster]

Primer Day 01

Everything in one color... prior to CWF​

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[BABAR]

Hmm,have I been doing it wrong all these years? I do the CWF before priming, I though the primer would block CWF adhesion.

 

[lakeroadster]

Hmm,have I been doing it wrong all these years? I do the CWF before priming, I though the primer would block CWF adhesion.

I've done this on numerous rockets and as long as you are applying the CWF over the rough surface primer (Rusto automotive type) the CWF adheres just fine.

 

[lakeroadster]

Sanding Primer and CWF Day 01

Using Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler​

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Sanded Wood Filler

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[KenECoyote]

I've done this on numerous rockets and as long as you are applying the CWF over the rough surface primer (Rusto automotive type) the CWF adheres just fine.

I do the same. I found that the finish is better in this order and can save additional filler after priming and usually requires only one good sanding session.

 

[lakeroadster]

I do the same. I found that the finish is better in this order and can save additional filler after priming and usually requires only one good sanding session.

Maybe it's just a Coyote thing? ​

 

[BABAR]

Maybe it's just a Coyote thing? ​

having seen your finished birds, I certainly won’t argue with success. I am curious how @neil_w and @hcmbanjo do it.

do you re-prime AFTER the CWF?

 

[lakeroadster]

having seen your finished birds, I certainly won’t argue with success. I am curious how @neil_w and @hcmbanjo do it.

do you re-prime AFTER the CWF?

I do that too.​

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Always apply a coat or two of primer after CWF, or else the porous nature of the CWF will show up as a dull spot.​

 

[NTP2]

Sanding Primer and CWF Day 01

Using Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler​

I am proud to say I don’t prime or use wood filler because I am too lazy I just go straight to neon orange so I can see it in the sky better.

 

[lakeroadster]

I am proud to say I don’t prime or use wood filler because I am too lazy I just go straight to neon orange so I can see it in the sky better.

.... better ....

Opinions Vary

 

[lakeroadster]

CWF and Sanding... Day 02

2nd round of CWF application​

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Sanded and ready for 2nd primer application​

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[lakeroadster]

Primer Day 02

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[NTP2]

Primer Day 02

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I am literally jumping with excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lakeroadster]

Ballast and Screw Eye

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[BABAR]

Primer Day 02

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Looks great. Too bad primer isn’t a touch darker, otherwise it would match the paint color of it’s namesake well.

 

[lakeroadster]

Flat Black

I had some Testors Flat Black in the paint cabinet and temp's. got up to 55 F today. Looks pretty bad ass, kind of U-2 / SR-71 ish.

I'm going to try to buff this paint with some steel wool, I trick I learned on the Mercury Capsule Abort rocket. Gives it a burnished look, which, just might work? We'll see.

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[NTP2]

That is a VARY good looking rocket.

 

[lakeroadster]

That is a VARY good looking rocket.

VERY...

I would agree... but opinions vary...

 

[BABAR]

VERY...

I would agree... but opinions vary...

I was tempted, but deferred.

 

[lakeroadster]

Flat Black

Sand, and repeat.... The Rustoleum flat black sprays so much nicer than the Testors.

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[BABAR]

Looks like you have some wet weather coming your way.

I’m thinking you may have a stable of birds to fly?

 

[lakeroadster]

Looks like you have some wet weather coming your way.

I’m thinking you may have a stable of birds to fly?

It was supposed to snow here today... we got nada.​

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I'm a fair weather guy though. Probably wait 'till spring.​

 

[lakeroadster]

Flat Black... Nose Cone Adjustments

I had to chuck the nose cone in the lathe and sand the paint off the hub. Still may need a bit more adjustment as it's a bit snug.

Time for hand painting the orange on the wingtips and vertical stabilizers... and add some decals.

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