XROX Aerospace MK3A

[DRAGON64]

This happened across my facebook feed, so I got my wife to order me one for Christmas; the XROX Aerospace MK3A:

https://www.xroxaerospace.com/products/mk3-rebel

I have not yet started building, but I can say that I am quite impressed with the build quality; 1.64 dia craft tubing, and all 3D printed components. There is also a full decal sheet to make the model look scale. Recommended motors are D12-5, but there is room for reloadable 24mm motors too?

The website has a build series blog running, and a video to go along with...

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I got one as well, I built it last night and it looks really nice.

 

[DRAGON64]

Have you decided on a paint scheme for yours? Will you try to paint per the recommended scheme?

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I'm going to go with a black and silver color scheme.

 

[mazum01]

This happened across my facebook feed, so I got my wife to order me one for Christmas; the XROX Aerospace MK3A:

https://www.xroxaerospace.com/products/mk3-rebel

I have not yet started building, but I can say that I am quite impressed with the build quality; 1.64 dia craft tubing, and all 3D printed components. There is also a full decal sheet to make the model look scale. Recommended motors are D12-5, but there is room for reloadable 24mm motors too?

The website has a build series blog running, and a video to go along with...

There is room for re-loadable 24mm AT equipment. You will notice the notches in the retainer to accommodate the aft closure.

 

[DRAGON64]

You have designed a very nice product Mark. My plan is to fly either/or the 24/40 or 24/60 reloadable motors in this rocket. I have a few Estes D12 motors for warm up flights etc. The only change I would make to this design, is to add a nylon 18" chute, as I have a couple on hand.

 

[mazum01]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you like the kit. The nylon parachute is a good suggestion. I'll definitely take a look at it.
The kit fly's pretty nice on the Estes D12 motors. Make sure that you double check the stability margins on the reloadable motors as they can really move the CG aft quite a bit. I have a couple of E reloads ready to go when the weather in Buffalo breaks. Which will probably end up on youtube shortly there after.

You have designed a very nice product Mark. My plan is to fly either/or the 24/40 or 24/60 reloadable motors in this rocket. I have a few Estes D12 motors for warm up flights etc. The only change I would make to this design, is to add a nylon 18" chute, as I have a couple on hand.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

I would try those Aerotech D15T-6 motors for the RMS24-40 casing.

https://www.rocketreviews.com/compare-estes-d12-to-aerotech-d15.html

I’ve had success with testing RDF beacon in a scratch 24mm CF md rocket with D15T-6, I’d say it’s a good load. The RMS24-40 E18W-7 also approximates the Estes E12-6 when you want more motor. There’s also several F loads. You may want to sim those before messing with that.

I like the 24-40 casing because you get 3 reloads for the same pricing as two 24-60 reloads.

 

[DRAGON64]

The 24/40 casing has been a favorite for years. My Estes Honest John loved the F24W load. My all-time favorite with the 24/40 is the E18.

 

[DRAGON64]

I did start this build over the weekend; The parts fit so well, there is not much to describe, other than to make sure you use 5-min epoxy per the instructions. Not only does the epoxy stick best to the 3D printed parts, it makes the build go pretty quickly.

 

[DRAGON64]

Finished the construction portion of the build today, but it was too cold and damp to get a coat of primer on the rocket. This rocket builds fast as I have stated, and it buiulds quite strong. The only mod I made, was replacing the pastic parachute with a yellow 22" nylon chute... probably left over from an Aerotech kit.

 

[DRAGON64]

A quick note, I did not fill the spirals, as I use a high solids primer, KILZ, that fills and sands really easy. I hate to fill and sand spirals...

Right now, the only thing I am sweating about this build, is the water-slide decals. I have gotten pretty lazy with vinyl decals over the years, I hope I remember the best practice for water-slide.

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I went up today to launch mine, It flew very nice on an estes d12-5!

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I had a few people watch, I (in the red coat) flew it 4 times that day, the baffle system works well, the parachute had absolutely no melting on it. I think I might try flying it on a 24mm composite motor (probably an AT one).

 

[mazum01]

I had a few people watch, I (in the red coat) flew it 4 times that day, the baffle system works well, the parachute had absolutely no melting on it. I think I might try flying it on a 24mm composite motor (probably an AT one).

Awesome! Looks great!

 

[DRAGON64]

I went up today to launch mine, It flew very nice on an estes d12-5!

I had a few people watch, I (in the red coat) flew it 4 times that day, the baffle system works well, the parachute had absolutely no melting on it. I think I might try flying it on a 24mm composite motor (probably an AT one).

That was a really nice flight, thanks for sharing the video. I can't wait to get mine painted and off to the flight line!

 

[DRAGON64]

Awesome! Looks great!

Sooo, what is the next vehicle you are designing, and when do we get a sneak peek?

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Have you all flown these on AT composite motors yet?

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I haven't, but it looks like it would fly well on them.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Here’s an E18W static burn pic to spice up this thread. Bet it would look real cool in that rocket.

 

[DRAGON64]

The weather has been so wet and cold here lately in Alabama, that I cannot even get the rocket out to paint, let alone fly it. Also, the weather has caused cancellation after cancellation of HARA launches. Really looking forward to a break in winter around here.

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

In eastern Washington, there is a large open Field to fly at. I don't fly at public launches. But it's really cold, it sometimes takes a few seconds to even light of those little Estes ignitors!

 

[rharshberger]

In eastern Washington, there is a large open Field to fly at. I don't fly at public launches. But it's really cold, it sometimes takes a few seconds to even light of those little Estes ignitors!

Then you are missing some fun launches, the TriCities Rocketeers in Pasco, WA start flying again soon. I am hmguessing you are from the Spokane area?

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I did go up to fits up in Mansfield though.
I didn't fly anything because my f10's were still in the mail.

 

[rharshberger]

I did go up to fits up in Mansfield though.
I didn't fly anything because my f10's were still in the mail.

We start flying in March, but we do have a "flex" launch scheduled for next month (iirc Feb 9th) if the weather is nice enough we will probably hold a launch at our field just north of Pasco, off HWY 395.

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

I'll probably go up to one this summer, but I'll fly one when I'm old enough to get an L1 cert.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

The weather has been so wet and cold here lately in Alabama, that I cannot even get the rocket out to paint, let alone fly it. Also, the weather has caused cancellation after cancellation of HARA launches. Really looking forward to a break in winter around here.

Yeah no kidding. Hope to see you at HARA in Feb. or March weather pending.

 

[DRAGON64]

Beautiful day today, so I was able to get a decent coat of primer on the MK3A today. Spirals filled easily with the KILZ high solid primer.

 

[Jacob Ritzke]

That lools really nice!

 

[Nytrunner]

I saw it was a good day to paint too!

Those fins look so tiny, I imagine the length and solid nose helps it stabilize