DiaLFonZo - Estes Big Daddy - Build

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

Hi All,

So i started the build of my Estes Big Daddy yesterday.
I wanted to change some things here and there and share it as well.



1. I wanted to change the bulkhead which are cardboard from the kit. Little design and cut from a 1/8" plywood sheet with some lighten area. (sorry, really bad picture and epoxy gluing)





2. Found the body a little incomplete so i designed a 3D printed tailcone.



3. Because i'm cheap, i designed a 3D printed motor retainer as well.





4. I'll be adding a real parachute, kevlar shock cord and reusable wadding.



More to come...

 

[dhbarr]

How much weight does that add to the tail? Any concerns about having to add more back to the nose?

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

I haven't weighed the bulkhead or any other parts yet but since it's a really short rocket, I suspect a need for some weight.

Yet, the bulkheads are very hollowed and the 3D parts light.

 

[cwbullet]

Nice retainer.

 

[Mugs914]

Very nice! Welcome to the forum!

 

[jqavins]

Now you've made me want to add tailcones to mine.

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

I can make all the files available if people want them [emoji3526]

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

Some paint today...

 

[neil_w]

Wow, that is pretty awesome. Is that vinyl?

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

Wow, that is pretty awesome. Is that vinyl?

Thanks, it's my first try.
It's painted using vinyl stencil I cutted.

 

[neil_w]

Thanks, it's my first try.
It's painted using vinyl stencil I cutted.

Well in that case I'm even more impressed.

Is that the Cricut stencil vinyl?

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

Well in that case I'm even more impressed.

Is that the Cricut stencil vinyl?

I've found this tutorial on YouTube and found it really useful:



From the link in the video, i converted the PDF into a DXF and cut it on a vinyl plotter.
I've actually cutted a LOT ..

 

[Ablative]

That kicks ass! Great design and execution. I keep contemplating doing a big daddy build with an alternate paint scheme as the suggested one on the face card looks very mid 90’s lame. Your design looks like a v2 camo scheme for the modern age. Congrats!

 

[Demonian]

DiaLFonZo? Hunter V-Tail?

 

[K'Tesh]

Are you going to modify the nosecone? The BD has a lot of lawndarts, and the leading theories pose that the nosecone is to blame.

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

Are you going to modify the nosecone? The BD has a lot of lawndarts, and the leading theories pose that the nosecone is to blame.

I haven't read about this.
For now I'll just make sure the CG is right and it will need weight in the nose I think.

DiaLFonZo? Hunter V-Tail?

Yes - That's indeed me. [emoji16]

That kicks ass! Great design and execution. I keep contemplating doing a big daddy build with an alternate paint scheme as the suggested one on the face card looks very mid 90’s lame. Your design looks like a v2 camo scheme for the modern age. Congrats!

Thanks, again my first try.
I'd like to get an airbrush for that kind of thing. The cans just apply too much paint.

 

[Demonian]

Yes - That's indeed me. [emoji16]

What an amazing frame design that was. Very unique flight characteristics. I have often thought of designing a frame based on it, but using current design philosophies. The tail is what has given me pause...

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

What an amazing frame design that was. Very unique flight characteristics. I have often thought of designing a frame based on it, but using current design philosophies. The tail is what has given me pause...

Yes it was - I have to give credit to Bledi who contacted me to design a frame around his hand made version of a VTail setup.
If you are going to do one, i would do a 3D printed tail support probably. My restrictions for design and production are not the same for a one-off frame like anyone could do.

 

[mbeels]

That looks great, very impressive results!

 

[K'Tesh]

I haven't read about this.
For now I'll just make sure the CG is right and it will need weight in the nose I think.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/big-daddy-lawn-darts-show-of-hands-please.131851/

My theory is that the body is too light and draggy for that nosecone. If nothing is done to prevent it, and the conditions are not going in your favor, after the boost, it separates a little due to the drag, opening up that slot for the shock cord mount. When the ejection occurs, it's vented out the side of the rocket, which after reaching apogee, turns turtle, and then augers in.

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/big-daddy-lawn-darts-show-of-hands-please.131851/

My theory is that the body is too light and draggy for that nosecone. If nothing is done to prevent it, and the conditions are not going in your favor, after the boost, it separates a little due to the drag, opening up that slot for the shock cord mount. When the ejection occurs, it's vented out the side of the rocket, which after reaching apogee, turns turtle, and then augers in.

I'm a little slow to understand here (sorry i have to convert everything to French as i'm French Canadian from Quebec)
- It would open a cavity between the nosecone and the body tube ?
- Isn't already pretty tight with a layer of masking tape to friction fit it ?
- Or maybe that's the problem since it might be too tight. (large volume or air to push out, even more since the nosecone is open at it's bottom)

Don't get me wrong, i'm really taking this seriously but just need to understand it better.

 

[K'Tesh]

There's the catch... If it's too loose, it may slide forward and then the "ramp" vent's the ejection charge. If it's too tight, it doesn't separate.

I'm thinking that if the slot is "closed" then the lawn darts will be prevented. I'm also thinking that by removing the bottom of the nosecone's shoulder, and installing a bulkhead to close up the top of the nosecone will expand the "usable area" for the parachute, but reduce the total volume that needs to be pressurized by ejection charge.

 

[Tobor]

Most BD owners just cut the NC shoulder off just above the bevel then glue a bulkhead in place. My solution was a tad more involved (Link [1st 3 pics]).

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

I don't like the look but here is something i was thinking could solve part of the issue with the air opening between NC and Frame.
It's too ugly...

 

[neil_w]

Interesting, but.... not sure how that would solve the problem at hand?

 

[deangelo54]

Is it true that Estes used the same nose cone from the Big Daddy for the Leviathan?

 

[kuririn]

Same part #, so I would say so.

 

[K'Tesh]

Interesting, but.... not sure how that would solve the problem at hand?

From where I'm sitting, it looks like it'd increase the drag on the nosecone, but it'll also up the weight, which could exacerbate the problem with drag separation.

 

[K'Tesh]

The Leviathan does use the same nosecone. However, there's a lot more mass in the sustainer (and not a lot of added drag) being driven, which, if I'm right, would reduce the issue of drag separation.

 

[Eric Nantel - DiaLFonZo]

From where I'm sitting, it looks like it'd increase the drag on the nosecone, but it'll also up the weight, which could exacerbate the problem with drag separation.

Was just an idea to avoid air getting in the seams between the cone and body.

However I do think the bulkhead on NC would greatly reduce potential issues. That angled side NC is really a channel for the air to pass.