Viper Family Build

[Nick@JET]

Glad to hear your going to Airfest, can't wait to see your flights and you!

 

[DeeRoc29]

The 30" long BT-7.51" Loc airframes get a coat of thin CA on the ends of the tubes to seal them. Ends are sanded smooth, and first one is covered in Monokote. In general, I tend to cover Loc/Paper rockets in Monokote or Ultracote instead of painting. Way less work, IMO, equal or nicer results, adds considerable strength to the airframe, and makes it waterproof.

Is this the type of Monokote that is applied with a hot iron? Would love to see a video of this as I've often thought about it. Looks good as always, Eric!

 

[JoeG]

Great to see you here, Joe! Absolutely, put 'er on the building blocks! Looks like you've had a busy few months in the RC world...haven't had much up in the air this year yet, a big Cub but nothing fast or fancy. 2018 maybe...

Thanks all!

Yeah, it's been a busy Summer in the R/C world between rain storms. Too many hobbies I guess. I've been enjoying flying with my son. He doesn't get the whole rocket thing. He likes them but wold rather not spend the money on motors. I'm going to try to hit a few of the upcoming launches. See you at MWP for sure. I'm sure I'll have some monokoted LOC creation off some sort.

 

[ECayemberg]

Glad to hear your going to Airfest, can't wait to see your flights and you!

Likewise Nick! Can't wait to see the you, the big QCC on the almighty O3400 and your Mac fleet! Gonna be a good time, sir!

Is this the type of Monokote that is applied with a hot iron? Would love to see a video of this as I've often thought about it. Looks good as always, Eric!

Derek, how are you? Yessir, heat shrink film Monokote; I use an Heat Iron and a Heat Gun. It just so happened that I covered another section of airframe last night...made a series of cell phone videos documenting the process. Posted that fun over here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?141695-Applying-Monokote-or-Ultracote-Heat-Shrink-Film-to-rockets&p=1713810#post1713810

Yeah, it's been a busy Summer in the R/C world between rain storms. Too many hobbies I guess. I've been enjoying flying with my son. He doesn't get the whole rocket thing. He likes them but wold rather not spend the money on motors. I'm going to try to hit a few of the upcoming launches. See you at MWP for sure. I'm sure I'll have some monokoted LOC creation off some sort.

I hear you! As you know, I do both too. I love both hobbies, but can really only swing one at a time. So each hobby gets there own lulls and busy seasons! Haven't burned any gasoline, methanol, or nitromethane in planes this year, but have burned a decent amount of AP and BP in rockets! Looking forward to seeing you and your Monokote creations (Cherokee???) at Midwest Power. Oooh, hope you're bringing a Phoenix or two...I'll have to get mine done by then!

 

[JoeG]

I hear you! As you know, I do both too. I love both hobbies, but can really only swing one at a time. So each hobby gets there own lulls and busy seasons! Haven't burned any gasoline, methanol, or nitromethane in planes this year, but have burned a decent amount of AP and BP in rockets! Looking forward to seeing you and your Monokote creations (Cherokee???) at Midwest Power. Oooh, hope you're bringing a Phoenix or two...I'll have to get mine done by then!

I'm the same way. My son pulls me toward R/C and Gary D. and Bill G. and all the crazies at TMO pull me toward the rockets. I just don't want to disappoint anyone. It is tough juggling both hobbies but i have way too much money invested in them to give up either one although I might be able to buy a Summer home if I sold out either one. The R/C rocket gliders make a nice compromise of both hobbies.

A bunch of family events are preventing me from attending some of the big launches this year but MWP is a Mandatory Event. I will have the Cherokee, The Super Phoenix (on an I59), and at least an EZ I (on an I65) with me at MWP. All Monokoted. Hopefully I can get one of my regular Phoenix's ready as well.

 

[ECayemberg]

I'm the same way. My son pulls me toward R/C and Gary D. and Bill G. and all the crazies at TMO pull me toward the rockets. I just don't want to disappoint anyone. It is tough juggling both hobbies but i have way too much money invested in them to give up either one although I might be able to buy a Summer home if I sold out either one. The R/C rocket gliders make a nice compromise of both hobbies.

A bunch of family events are preventing me from attending some of the big launches this year but MWP is a Mandatory Event. I will have the Cherokee, The Super Phoenix (on an I59), and at least an EZ I (on an I65) with me at MWP. All Monokoted. Hopefully I can get one of my regular Phoenix's ready as well.

Stellar, excellent, and stupendous! Can't wait for MWP...though I can use the months to build/plan/prep! See you then!

 

[ECayemberg]

It's been a pretty crazy week; mostly non-rocketry related activities. But did squeeze in a bit of activity on the Mother Lode this week. Some photographic evidence:

Three rounds of primer later, the tri-motor assembly received its color: Rusto 2X Apple Red.

Ready for a bit more work, the top centering ring was mated to a single 7.67"-54mm ring using filled West 105/205 and a few wood screws (because I'm impatient)!

All flush:

Glue & screw other ring on top:

That ring serves as the continuation point of the tri-motor assembly, essentially creating a doubled-up tube-within-tube structure. The 54mm tube plugs into that ring and extends to the top of the Coupler Bulkplate, which I Jigsaw-ed into a coupler centering ring.

Since the "kit" came with two 7.5" to 54mm centering rings, a ring is added at the base of the coupler in order to transfer loads through several points. I like to remove the glassine where the bond occurs; you see that here:

The 54mm tube is epoxied into that ring that we glued/screwed to the top of the tri-motor assembly. The mid centering ring is epoxied into place and the airframe is buttered with epoxy where the coupler is to slide into:

Earlier on, a coupler was "prepped" by epoxying in a "Stiffy", epoxying and filleting that Coupler Centering Ring. Also, a rail button backer was epoxied into place and the location noted externally via 3/16" hole:

Coupler assembly slid into place. It pushes that centering ring down with it creating a unified structure. That hole noting the rail backer location is aligned with the lower backer that I likely forgot to mention earlier. Blue tape marks the path of the rail.

Coupler is slid all the way down to the horizontal blue tape line which serves as a gravitational stop. All together now, that booster stands a proud 6' tall. Holy cats, this thing is BIG!

More as time permits! Thanks for following along!!!

-Eric-

 

[LOC]

Nice Job man. You've got a handle on it!!!

 

[ECayemberg]

Almost there on the big (Mother) and little (Queen) guys. Stop by the Loc booth at Airfest to take a look. Will update the thread with progress soon!

 

[Jarhead]

Good stuff.
Looking forward to flight reports from AirFest.

 

[wadavidson]

Almost there on the big (Mother) and little (Queen) guys. Stop by the Loc booth at Airfest to take a look. Will update the thread with progress soon!

Eric, looking forward to seeing these guys completed. Always wanted a Mother Lode since seeing Ron's adds as a kid. Will be buying one when the kit comes out for sure

 

[ECayemberg]

Eric, looking forward to seeing these guys completed. Always wanted a Mother Lode since seeing Ron's adds as a kid. Will be buying one when the kit comes out for sure

Thanks Bill! The Mother Lode is done and headed to Airfest. Will try to post a finished photo today; she's a big girl!

The Queen Viper is visually complete as well; still needs the recovery rigging completed, but it *looks* done. I think one might find a few of these on the street in the near future.

Will try to post a photo of both later today. The King will be done before Midwest Power; plan is to have them all there, plus the Esoteric, Top Gunn, and so on.

Good stuff.
Looking forward to flight reports from AirFest.

Thanks Tom! Looking forward to getting some air time in KS! Will post asap!

-Eric-

 

[djs]

The King will be done before Midwest Power; plan is to have them all there, plus the Esoteric, Top Gunn, and so on.

Uhhh.. how are you going to fit all of that in the car?

 

[ECayemberg]

Uhhh.. how are you going to fit all of that in the car?

Might need a caravan to haul it all down there. Let's start with your vehicle...bring her on up this-a-way for about 2.5 hours, load up, and we'll convoy back down to your place for your stuff. May have to throw stuff on the roof, tie it to the bumper, etc. Time to get creative!:wink:

 

[ECayemberg]

The freshly completed Mother Lode was one of two rockets I flew at Airfest. First flight was a trio of Aerotech K550 White Lightning motors; she went up on Sunday morning. The flight was nominal, but not perfect. Details follow; along with a few photos!:cyclops:

Thank Yous
First, some Thank You's! Rocketry at many levels is a community effort; it is not done in a vacuum. I saw Whitney Richard post recently that he began attending Airfest for the rockets; he keeps returning for the PEOPLE. Well said, Whitney; couldn't agree more!

-The Kloudbusters! What a fantastic launch Airfest was! Just unmatched camaraderie, environment, opportunities, and experiences. Many of us love the Argonia experience; it’s thanks to you guys. Thank you so very much!
-Jay & Dave (LOC3.0 Docs)for the help at the pad, photo and video; and letting me guinea pig the new really old design! For recovery efforts too; apologies to Jay for eating 3 lbs of dust!
-Bob Brown: guidance, support, and abuse. Had so much fun at the 70’s getting ML ready! What a great group! That just made the experience!
-Tim Dixon: For giving Bob someone ELSE to pick on after he arrived at the pads. So cool to have the King Viper III on the pad next to the Mother Lode!
-Coop: when a short ladder just won’t cut it; in rolls Coop’s ATV for a boost. Thanks man… and thanks for all you do for Kloudbusters!
-Ruby & Jim from Discount Rocketry. After being unable to fly on Saturday, what do you do with a fully assembled, pad ready 12+’ tall rocket. Thanks for the storage in the trailer overnight!
-Tom Cayemberg: for putting up with me. Really enjoyed Airfest 2017 with the old man...he totally outflew me!

With that out of the way, let's post some pics.

Business end pre-flight:

When a 2' ladder just doesn't cut it; Coop and his ATV to the rescue!

Obligatory ugly guy with rocket photo:

Ignition: one photo by Loc, one by yours truly. The little fireballs racing the rocket are Pyrodex pellets ejecting from the motors. Makes for a fun photo too!

Ascent. If you look closely, the ball o' flame is a bit off center. 2 K550's lit instantly on the ground; the 3rd lit a few seconds in....for dramatic effect....I meant to do that....uh huh! I love airstarting clustered motors, this one was unintentional however. Next time, will add slower burning "go fuel" when lighting that stubborn WL propellant!

Recovery about 1/2 mile out. It took a few seconds for the main to blossom; I used the same drogue/main setup as was used in the Esoteric flight a few months back. The Mother Lode came in pretty light (~25lbs dry...really light for a monster this size!); the 48" Crossfire drogue is a bit too big. Will downsize to a smaller drogue, same size main for future flights.

Soft landing in the Kansas fields. Love those Kansas fields for recovery!

Post flight business end. They all lit!

That's all for the maiden voyage of the Mother Lode.

Tentative plans are to finish up the King Viper III; and fly the Queen (4"), King (5.5"), and Mother (7.7") at Midwest Power in early November. All Sparky propellant!

 

[viciouspeanut]

Awesome! Beautiful rocket and great shots - what was the altitude on the three Ks? Looking forward to your pics from MWP!

 

[ECayemberg]

Awesome! Beautiful rocket and great shots - what was the altitude on the three Ks? Looking forward to your pics from MWP!

Thanks!!!

5440'. I suspect it would've stayed lower had they all lit at once rather than as a 2 stager.:wink:

 

[JoeG]

Very nice Eric. Sorry I missed it.

 

[dixontj93060]

Saw it. Really interesting second gear on that third motor ignition. Couldn't do that again in a million years!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Rocketry Forum mobile app

 

[aeg]

Eric, excellent thread and flight! When I first flew the M.L. in Colorado, I had to figure a way to separate the booster section from the main airframe for transportation purposes. I used 2 pieces of 1/4" plywood and epoxied them together criss-crossing their grains. I made 4-1/2" thick sets of these....2 for the 3 hole centering rings and 2 for the 1 hole snuffer tube rings. On the top of the bottom snuffer tube, I had machined and fastened (using a short 3/8" 16thd. bolt) 3-1" diameter by 1" long delrin stand offs. These were also threaded inside with a 3/8" 16thd. The 2-3 hole centering rings had the same 3/8" hole configuration as the bottom snuffer tubes' 3 hole configuration. I made sure that my 2 main 1/2" thick centering rings had a very snug fit inside the main airframe. I then cut 3 equal lengths of 3/8"16 threaded rod to go through the centering rings and into the 3 delrin stand offs. I then secured the 2 assemblies together using some flat washers and 3-3/8"16 nuts. Sturdier than all get out. A lot of brainstorming went into this to achieve the proper fits and results. Being a toolmaker sure helped. As I was able to hold a few thousands tolerance with wood. Unheard of back then. Ron.

 

[LOC]

And it's here!!! The Mother Lode is out in limited fashion!!! https://www.locprecision.com/product/retro-mother-lode/ Thanks to Eric for all his help, feedback and QC to keep things as true to original as we could!!!

 

[Nytrunner]

That's a lot of tube! And is that Eric's build in the promo pictures or an in-house model?

Also, if by any stretch a 3x98mm got developed,
would it be the Imperial Viper?

 

[LOC]

That's Eric's. We wanted a 3rd eye on the QC as some modifications needed to be made with the current lengths we run. So Eric being the man he is, gladly gave a hand and flew it. Great stuff!!!!

 

[mrwalsh85]

So the 4" version is the Queen Viper? I was just given one of these on the condition that I need to build and fly the bird. I couldn't find reference to the 4" Viper, so I'm guessing I have one of the first kits to be made.

Looking forward to building this and flying it... Guess I'll have to stock up on motors!

 

[LOC]

So the 4" version is the Queen Viper? I was just given one of these on the condition that I need to build and fly the bird. I couldn't find reference to the 4" Viper, so I'm guessing I have one of the first kits to be made.

Looking forward to building this and flying it... Guess I'll have to stock up on motors!

Yes you do!!! We're working on getting our new graphics designer up to speed so we can get these on the website. We did a small run of a 10-pack and AMW nabbed all but 1 or 2 of them!