Mega Baron from Arkansas [Squirrel Works]

[Crawf56]

NOTE: The model, as built, tends to be nose heavy.

Clay is included with the kit, for tail weight and balance.

Based on some initial CG checks, looks like the RC gear (servos/battery/receiver) tends to HELP the overall balance, adding weight to the tail. Will get some pics.

 

[timb]

I use CA to hold components in place, like when I put a triangle next to two parts, making sure they are at 90 degrees. While the CA adheres quickly, it sometimes does not travel far enough into the wood. The epoxy is for added strength.

Yes, the epoxy adds weight. And the interlocking nature of the biplane wings probably did not require the additional epoxy. But I think additional fillets are needed at the motor tube.

Have to respectfully disagree here; alphatic resin is plenty strong - stronger than the wood itself - is a lot lighter and doesn’t require mixing that introduces potential errors to the build. You probably won’t develop an allergic reaction to wood glue either as you can with epoxy.

In a glider, building in lightness is essential!

Beautiful model; can’t wait to see the flight report!

 

[cls]

I too was surprised by the amount of clay I used to trim it. The little one is like that, too. But, they trim out and fly nicely.

Last June in 105°F the clay melted off the lower wing, on to other rockets in the box... Word to the wise...

 

[aerostadt]

If you do a search for Mega Red Baron, you will find lots of threads and posts on TRF. I had good luck with the small Red Baron, but not so for the Mega Red Baron. I think I might have even blown off the nose cone on the first flight. I was struck by the high quality of the balsa wood. I believe Iter had an R/C version of the Mega Red Baron.
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/r-c-red-baron.127053/

 

[Crawf56]

Working on the Ailerons. Note the angle at edge that fits against the Wing.

 

[Crawf56]

Using 3M Blenderm tape to attach the Ailerons. Started by putting the tape on the Wing.

Then, held the Aileron in place at FULL DOWN. Then pressed the tape down on to the Aileron.

 

[Crawf56]

Withe the top piece of Blenderm tape in place, I fold the Aileron up, and add a strip of tape to the bottom.

 

[Crawf56]

Added the decals. Be sure and wait 24 hours after applying the decals.

Note that the decals are fairly strong, but you must cut the decal to shape.

I messed up, and got a spec of material trapped under the decal.

 

[Crawf56]

So here we are, ready for flight.

 

[Crawf56]

Here is the servo, control horn, and linkage connection. I also need to make sure the tape is firmly pushed flat.

 

[Crawf56]

Here is the receiver and battery. "Admiral" is a brand of Spektrum compatible receiver, sold by MotionRC. I need to tape down the antennae.

I might also add some triangle stock to help with wind deflection.

 

[Crawf56]

Servo wiring: ugh.

This is not what I had planned. But this is how it worked out. I have seen another Mega Baron rigged like this, so I know it will work.

I was initially going to run the servo wires along the top leading edge, but I couldn't get a smooth look; I seemed to keep getting things crinkled. And then getting the wires out of the tape.

Also thought about running the wiring over the top of the Wing, but the tape and the decals did not work well.

And I may have gotten a little 'build fever', and pushed forward without thinking enough.

 

[Crawf56]

Here is the CG [Center of Gravity], or balance point. It is 3/4 inch in front of the Lower Wing, measured along the Center Strut.

The black mark on the Strut is the CG.

Adding the servos, battery, and receiver seems to have helped the balance. It was nose heavy, until the RC gear was added.

 

[burkefj]

I missed it, what is the all up weight and motor?

 

[Crawf56]

I missed it, what is the all up weight and motor?

WEIGHT
The instructions list the Weight of 7.0 oz [198.4 grams].

My model weighs 7.29 oz [207 grams]. That is with RC gear and battery, but without motors.

MOTORS
Recommended motors are a D12-3 or a E15-4. The other RC Mega Baron that I saw used a C11-0 with an E9.

Since the motor ejects, you have a wide range of choices.

I suspect the Mega Baron can fly well with the Aerotech E6P. We will find out.

 

[burkefj]

WEIGHT
The instructions list the Weight of 7.0 oz [198.4 grams].

My model weighs 7.29 oz [207 grams]. That is with RC gear and battery, but without motors.

MOTORS
Recommended motors are a D12-3 or a E15-4. The other RC Mega Baron that I saw used a C11-0 with an E9.

Since the motor ejects, you have a wide range of choices.

I suspect the Mega Baron can fly well with the Aerotech E6P. We will find out.

E-6 will put that up around 700' with that weight, and you don't eject the E-6 so you will have to trim it differently than a motor that ejects the full casing of course. Less nose weight......

 

[Crawf56]

Conducted a first launch of the Mega Baron. The model was not damaged, but it did not go well.

The model required a "down" push on the control stick (of the transmitter) at launch. But I got it up fairly well, using a D12-3.

After reaching apogee and ejecting the motor, the model had a 'tumble' recovery. It did not glide, and I had very little control. But, the Mega Baron hit the grass, and seemed to have no damage.

Which takes us to Launch #2........

 

[Crawf56]

Here is the Mega Baron on the pad for the second launch.

Note that the German "Iron Crosses" are gone. Even though they are water slide decals, they did not adhere well. After the first launch, one of the decals had come off half way. I went ahead and pulled them off (they are unusually strong for water slide decals).

 

[Crawf56]

Unfortunately, I lost the model on the second flight: receiver, battery, everything.

At launch, I had given the model some down trim. I was launching at a 5 degree angle away from me, and I had added some down trim. All of this to try and get the model headed outward, and not overhead. Using another D12-3 motor.

At launch, the model went directly over my head. And I never saw it again.

I was at my club RC field. It has a great flight area, with hay beyond it. But the area behind the flight line has tall trees, with more fields beyond.

Never found my Mega Baron.

 

[cls]

Oh gosh! Terrible. A little too good of a flier! That has happened to me, too. It's out there, can you go look again?

 

[Crawf56]

I have two places that I launch my rocket gliders:

• Kennett RC Club in Kennett, MO
• Abandoned WW2 training airport near Walcott, Arkansas.

Walcott is surrounded by crops. After harvest, it is fantastic. But with wheat, soybeans, or corn, you can't find anything after it lands.

I may wait until late fall for other projects.

 

[Crawf56]

"The strangeness of this life cannot be measured." - Dances With Wolves

It appears that Fate, and a very nice local farmer, have acted on my behalf. My Mega Baron was found and returned!

Does not appear to be any damage, but I still need to go test everything.

 

[Crawf56]

The other news is that the beans have been harvested at the Walcott Airport! So my winter launch pad is good to go!

 

[DaHabes]

The Mega Baron looks like an upscale revision of the Flying Jenny and Flying Jenny II, which I found plans for in old magazines (Model Rocket News and Model Rocketeer, respectively). These plans make for great scratch builds. I have a Flying Jenny ready to fly. The Flying Jenny II to be built after I get the Flying Jenny flown and trimmed.

P.S. I try to trim my gliders so they glide in a slow circle so they don't fly away. Just a bit of weight on one wing. Saves having to take long walks or coming home empty handed.

 

[ep29030]

I once had a neighbor farmer come to my house with a 9ft tall, 6inch fiberglass kit with a 4 inch motor in it. It was out in his field and he knew I flew rockets. I managed to find the owner, who had launched it (under waiver) about 8 miles away. Not your everyday experience.

 

[Crawf56]

This project LIVES.....

Conducted a SUCCESSFUL launch and glide of the Mega Baron at the Mid-South Rocket Society launch on 6/17/2023. Using an E6-RC by Aerotech.

 

[Crawf56]

I used an Aerotech E6-RC, rather than an Estes. The slower, and longer, thrust allowed me to react to the motor much better.

 

[Crawf56]

The big news is that, for a successful flight, I had to move the Mega Baron CG forward. I suggest 1-1/2 to 2 inches from the lower wing leading edge.

 

[Crawf56]

 

[Crawf56]

Video of flight and landing of my Mega Baron at Memphis. Special thanks to Dave Thomas. Using an E6-RC.