Leviathan ~ Estes Pro Series

[WizardOfAZ]

I know there's several threads on this model, but this will serve as my announcement as well as my personal build thread.

Today I was going for a drive, and decided to head to the hobby shop. It's the "off" season for rocketry here in Arizona, so I haven't been to the site here or thought about rockets for a few months. After a chat with a coworker this past week about rocketry, I thought I should do a build. When I walked in the hobby shop, they had their occasional 20% off Estes models sale running. Apparently this applied to Pro Series too, so I picked up the Leviathan for $50, which I thought was reasonable. I don't know what they run elsewhere, but I was satisfied.

Generally speaking, it looks like a really great kit. Reminds me a lot of the Executioner, but with more serious parts and better fin design. Kind of LOC Fantom looking too. Anyways. I'm sure I'll be happy with it. I'm going to take my time and try to do a really good job on this rocket. We'll see what happens. I will post all build photos on this thread...

 

[jus_rockets]

You should of went to hobby lobby instead and got the Leviathan 40% off. But either way the Leviathan is a really nice flying rocket and im sure you will have fun with it.

 

[Wayco]

Hey Josh, Juan is right, Sharon picked up her Leviathan at Hobby Lobby for $36. She is building it now but slowly due to all the work we have been getting in lately. Looking forward to your build. I think there will be a lot of these rockets flown out in Rainbow Valley when we get back to it this fall.

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Wayne! How ya been? Well,,, there's always a better deal out there I guess. But yeah, they seem like really nice kits, and I'm sure lots of people will be building and flying them! Kind of exciting I think. After looking at this kit, reading reviews and researching a little,,, I'd say I'll be very happy if my next few builds are all Pro Series Estes... Oh, and Wayne,,, I'll be packin' for GHS! I've got numerous completed rockets that really need to be flown. Nothing too fancy,,, but they'll all be fun. Also,,, I'm thinking I should knock out the L1 with my Forte. In fact. I could use your help. I'm hoping to use your pad if that's ok. I could also use some advice on a reloadable and getting that organized. A bit off topic,,, but glad to hear from you!

 

[Spooks]

I just built and flew the Leviathan, forgot about the 40 off at HL, but I flew it on the 4th, and it flew great! Even though the upper winds were a bit stronger, landed nearly a mile away, but still a great kit!!

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Landed a mile away? Wow! From 1500 feet? I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm seriously about to order a GPS unit. If I'm starting to fly bigger, more expensive rockets, I might as well invest in some kind of recovery, especially if there's plenty of room for it. I did get my 8x binoculars back from my Dad though!

 

[WizardOfAZ]

I'm not real good with keeping a build journal, but I'm going to give it a little more effort this time around.

So here's my first three photos :

https://www.rocketryforum.com/album.php?albumid=299

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Ok, I just sat and read through the instructions. Surprisingly simple (like all Estes kits). I've already got concerns and ideas though. I'm not really impressed or comfortable with Estes little paper glued to body shock cord mount. Though I've had no issues with them in the past, I just don't like it, and don't plan on using it. So, at this point, I'm planning on a small eye screw in the forward motor mount plate. I'll use Kevlar or something like it to run forward. Meanwhile, I'm considering allowing the coupler point to be the break point, placing a bulkhead just forward of it, and keeping the entire nose section clean and clear for my Altimeter two and potentially a GPS device. I've used small screws in the past to hold the nose in place (like on my Executioner), and am considering doing the same approach, which I don't see being a problem.

Thoughts?

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Hmmm. I just realized how far aft that coupler point is. Maybe too far back to do that? Unless I push the forward bulkhead up a ways for more chute space?

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Maybe something like this :

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Also thinking,,, I'd sure like to glas this rocket. How should I go about doing that? Any tricks? Any suggestions for a first time glasser?

 

[Wayco]

Sharon extended the MMT into the coupler and we have a cold air baffle built into it. The problem I see with your design is the chute laying on top of the MMT. These larger 29mm motors have stronger ejection charges for the increased volume in MPR sized rockets, and they can damage the nice upgraded Estes nylon chutes that come with the new kits. I like your idea of a bulkhead in the upper body tube, just move it forward enough to put your chute above the coupler/baffle. Another thing we figured out building this rocket is that it has to be built stock if you plan to fly it on any of the smaller motors. It gets heavy quick when you start adding baffles or even bulkheads. Adding fiberglass would make it very heavy and limit your motor choices.
SSS has started including build sessions at their club meetings, the next one is on August 4th. Bring your rocket and we could talk over some of your ideas.
As always, you are welcome to use my launch pads for any of your rockets. I just bought a new (to me) HPR pad from Juan (jus rockets) and am modifying it to accept my rail. I can also mount a 1/4" rod to it for launch lugs.
Let me know if you plan to attend the next build session.

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Well at this point, Aug. 4th should work. I'll put it on my calendar and try to make it for sure. I need to get back to a meeting. Thanks Wayne.

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Posted a handful of not-too-exciting photos in my album today. Pretty standard stuff, but take a look if you choose.

VIEW MY LEVIATHAN ALBUM

Anybody ever use LockTite Construction Adhesive? I don't know if it's a good idea or not,,, but I'm going to give it a try. It's really nice to work with,,, if it just holds!

 

[Spooks]

Haven't used Locktite const stuff...

Don't be too freaked out by my long walk, it was a bit breezy on the 4th hear, and it was a bit MORE breezy at apogee!! LOL

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Well after a few days, and upon examination, I'm admitting my doubts about the construction adhesive. I do believe it is adequate and will hold up without issue, but there's something about the feel of it that just tells me it would be better to stick with at least carpenter's glue. I'll leave the motor mount as is, which will unfortunately serve as an experiment on construction adhesive, but the rest of the build will be completed with carpenter's glue. With through the wall fins and a G, I don't see a need for epoxy. Hopefully the first launch doesn't find the rocket sitting on the pad in flames after the motor takes off!

Also, I've decided this will be my daughter Kate's rocket. She's been by my side so far, and I always told her we would build a big pink rocket, so this is it. We'll deck it out in sparkles, stickers and pick a good name. At this point, Kate wants it to be called "The Princess Rocket", so I've compromised on the name, "Princess I"...

 

[jus_rockets]

Everything looks good but a tracker? I don't think you will lose it on G's or even H's

 

[JDWtr707]

I also had my doubts about the shock cord mount and carpenter's glue, but I built it stock anyway. The mount held up perfectly fine on the first flight! And the carpenter's glue seems to be holding up very well. It's a great kit, I wouldn't worry about modifications unless you really want to, or unless you're going to fly on stronger motors.

 

[qquake2k]

I also had my doubts about the shock cord mount and carpenter's glue, but I built it stock anyway. The mount held up perfectly fine on the first flight! And the carpenter's glue seems to be holding up very well. It's a great kit, I wouldn't worry about modifications unless you really want to, or unless you're going to fly on stronger motors.

In my experience, wood glue on paper to paper, paper to wood, or wood to wood, makes a joint stronger than the materials you're joining.

 

[JPVegh]

In my experience, wood glue on paper to paper, paper to wood, or wood to wood, makes a joint stronger than the materials you're joining.

That has been my experience as well. Even good old Elmers school glue is stronger than paper or balsa, I have the snapped fins to prove it.

 

[cwbullet]

That has been my experience as well. Even good old Elmers school glue is stronger than paper or balsa, I have the snapped fins to prove it.

This would be correct based upon my experience.

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Well,,, I haven't posted much more for photos on this build, but it has been moving along slowly but surely. We're totally built now, ready for sanding, priming, painting, etc. Not sure if I'll tackle this before I head out to work this week. I might start some sanding when I get into town Thursday night. I'm guessing we'll have it mostly painted by the end of next weekend...

 

[jus_rockets]

Well,,, I haven't posted much more for photos on this build, but it has been moving along slowly but surely. We're totally built now, ready for sanding, priming, painting, etc. Not sure if I'll tackle this before I head out to work this week. I might start some sanding when I get into town Thursday night. I'm guessing we'll have it mostly painted by the end of next weekend...

Glad to hear its coming along and almost ready. When are you planning on flying it? I would really want to set up a Leviathan drag race at an upcoming SSS launch.

 

[Wayco]

I think Sharon might be in on this if you limit it to G's. She just finished hers last week:

How about those Stickershock decals?
Are you gonna make the September launch Josh?

 

[jus_rockets]

^^^^That looks Amazing! Will try to make the September launch and tell Sharon to choose the engine for the race, and hopefully Josh can make it too.

 

[GDJ]

Message to Sharon: Beautiful job on the Leviathan! Paint and colour scheme look fantastic!

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Wow! Nice job on that paint! Looks excellent! When is the launch? I've kinda been out of the loop for a while. I would definitely like to come launch, but I've let both my NAR and SSS memberships lapse, so I guess that's $120 + a motor, yikes! Despite all of the benefits (and I know there are many), it's very difficult for me to continue to justify the cost of $120/year when I seem to be averaging two events each year. Not to mention the fact that I can continue to show up as a spectator for both the GHS and Spring Blast and still enjoy the events for free. Since I don't launch anything real high performance, there's plenty of places I can go on my own to launch rockets. I don't know. Maybe I'll sign back up, maybe I won't for a while. I have a limited "fun" allowance, and right now I'm saving for a nice speedboat. I haven't figured out if I'm going to continue rockets or not. I might just get out of rocketry all together. Don't know yet. One thing is for sure though, I WILL finish this Leviathan!

 

[El Cheapo]

Josh, you don't have to be a member of either to fly at an SSS event.

 

[WizardOfAZ]

Maybe I'm confused about the purpose of the membership. All I want to do is go out in the desert and fly my low & mid power rockets. That's all I'm after...

 

[jus_rockets]

Maybe I'm confused about the purpose of the membership. All I want to do is buy a kit, build it, buy a motor, and fly it. That's all I'm after...

You should come down to the next launch Saturday the 8th. And hopefully we can make a 3 way Leviathan drag race.