6" Phoenix repaint and decal

[isobig]

Hi Everyone!

Here is the current look of my scratch built 6" Phoenix made from 6.25" O.D Sonotube with 2 layers of FG on it. I noticed last year the white paint on the nosecone didn't match the airframe color. I am pretty sure I used the same brand and color for both back then. I didn't put decals on it originally either. So I decided this year to repaint and finally get some decals on it. Ordered the decal set a while back from Mark at Stickershock. Had a few issues with them but Mark provided excellent customer service and remade a few at no charge. Thanks Mark! Repainted it in May, put the decals on in July, and finally took some pics today. The nosecone is solid pine so the rocket weighs 17lbs without motor. It's maiden was in Sept 2004 on a AT J570 to about 1500 feet. It has not been flown since. I have a K550W reload for it ... just need a place to fly it!

 

[Handeman]

Sweet rocket.

It might be a ride from PA, but the season starts at BattlePark around Halloween. We have a 16K ft waiver.
You can check the website here BattlePark.org

 

[DavidMcCann]

just need a place to fly it!

https://www.mapquest.com/directions/from/us/pa/dunmore-282027477/to/us/ny/potter-364395640

 

[CORZERO]

Sweet model! Did you document the project? Any info/pics?

 

[BDB]

Sweet model! Did you document the project? Any info/pics?

Ditto....Inquiring minds want to know! I'm most interested in the NC. How did you get one to work so well with 6.25" OD Sonotube?

 

[dhbarr]

Ditto....Inquiring minds want to know! I'm most interested in the NC. How did you get one to work so well with 6.25" OD Sonotube?

The nosecone is solid pine so the rocket weighs 17lbs without motor.

I'm guessing ye olde lathe

 

[isobig]

I'm guessing ye olde lathe

That would be correct! I will post more info and build pics later today. Thanks for the interest!

 

[isobig]

https://www.mapquest.com/directions/from/us/pa/dunmore-282027477/to/us/ny/potter-364395640

Thanks Dave. I actually have been to Potter for a NERRF a few years back. I didn't fly but wanted to see the field. I recall my car getting covered in dirt from the winds that day. Needless to say I didn't care for that too much.

 

[isobig]

Sweet rocket.

It might be a ride from PA, but the season starts at BattlePark around Halloween. We have a 16K ft waiver.
You can check the website here BattlePark.org

Thanks for the info. A previous club member keeps telling me to fly at MDRA which is his favorite site. He is also from PA but about an hour south of me, so it's a bit easier on the travel time for him.

 

[isobig]

As promised here are some building pics. Seems I only have ones from making the nosecone, no airframe build pics.

 

[DavidMcCann]

Thanks Dave. I actually have been to Potter for a NERRF a few years back. I didn't fly but wanted to see the field. I recall my car getting covered in dirt from the winds that day. Needless to say I didn't care for that too much.

Oh no it's cool, we got rid of the dirt.


I do however still have URRF 1 mud and onions on my van from 3 or 4 years ago

 

[isobig]

The details of the build -

My version is 42% scale and is built from a 48" section of Sono tube measuring 6.25" in diameter on the outside, 6" inside. I started this project in Oct 2003, and finished it in Sept 2004. I sanded the airframe to remove the spiral seam and to prep the tube for epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth. I applied a coat of resin and cloth, let it cure, sanded and applied another coat. After sanding it smooth, I marked and cut the slots for the fins. I cut the forward fins out of 1/8" plywood and then put a layer of 6oz FG on each side of them. I cut out the aft fins from a sheet of 1/8" fiberglass. The 4 centering rings were cut out from 1/8" plywood, each with a layer of 6oz FG applied to one side only. The most challenging part of the whole rocket was making the nosecone.
A lathe was on sale at Harbor Freight so I purchased it then bought some 1x8x48" pine boards and a bottle of polyurethane glue from Lowe's. I cut the boards into 2 ft sections and glued them into a stack that was 9 boards high. The block weighed 18lbs! Next I drilled three 5/16" to half-depth on opposite sides. A 5/16" dowel was cut to fit each hole. I glued the dowels into the holes for added security to prevent the layers from flying apart while rotating on the lathe.
As this was my first time ever using a lathe, it took me over 4 hours to chisel the block down to the final size & shape. I went slow to make sure no mishaps. I drilled pilot holes for 3 eye screws on the bottom of the cone. I drizzled some poly glue in each hole and put some on the threads of each screw before turning them into the holes. As you can see by the pic, the poly glue expands as it cures making for a nice extremely tight fit. After sanding it smooth with 220 grit and then 320 grit sandpaper, I sprayed a coat of Rustoleum grey primer on. The paint went on very well without any runs or sags. I applied a second coat about 30 minutes later as per the instructions on the spray can. The end result pleased me so I left it alone until the next day for the final color.
For the finish coat I sprayed on Rustoleum gloss white. I applied a second coat as before. After all this hard work, the nosecone is 22" long total, with 18" exposed and weighs approx 7lbs.

 

[isobig]

Oh no it's cool, we got rid of the dirt.


I do however still have URRF 1 mud and onions on my van from 3 or 4 years ago

Ahhh... maybe it was URRF..... not NERRF... I will have to check my photo collection to verify.

 

[isobig]

Yep it was URRF in 2013 -

View attachment 301169

 

[DavidMcCann]

Yep it was URRF in 2013 -

Yea, it looked like that when I started to pull out of the lot sunday afternoon. I didn't make it 200 feet and the rain was so intense my wife's week-old mini van was buried to the axels

 

[pyrobob]

As promised here are some building pics. Seems I only have ones from making the nosecone, no airframe build pics.

View attachment 301159View attachment 301160View attachment 301161View attachment 301162View attachment 301163View attachment 301164View attachment 301165View attachment 301166View attachment 301167View attachment 301168

Totally awesome! Nice work man!

 

[isobig]

Totally awesome! Nice work man!

Thanks!

 

[isobig]

Oh no it's cool, we got rid of the dirt.


I do however still have URRF 1 mud and onions on my van from 3 or 4 years ago

I'm looking at your pics from URRG 8/27/2016 and while not as bad as from 2013, it still looks like a good amount of mostly bare dirt around. The Rayzor 38 rocket pic for example.

 

[DavidMcCann]

I'm looking at your pics from URRG 8/27/2016 and while not as bad as from 2013, it still looks like a good amount of mostly bare dirt around. The Rayzor 38 rocket pic for example.

Yep they had just taken the corn down the day before those Razor photos. Dirt is much preferable to 9 foot tall corn