pro series leviathon for level 1 certification

madcow rocketry
Onebadhawk
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Finally had a chance to work on my Leviathan today. Got the fins sanded and glued into place. Now for the fillets and filling in the spiral indentations on the body tube and some major sanding ahead.

fin assembly.jpg
 
Do yourself a favor and put a eye hook on the motormount to attach your shock cord too!
 
Hey Donaldgranger, Thanks for the reply. I already added an eyebolt to the top motor mount and tied kevlar to it. Im trying to build it as strong as I can as I plan on doing a level 1 flight with her.
motor mount.jpg
 
awesome glad you already put one in. I should have stated i also am working on the same rocket and going for my level 1 as well!
 
Looking good! I've been down with my back all weekend....sux being on the couch but getting caught up with my DVR......
 
Thanks Fred! Hope your feeling better, Rest is the best medicine for back problems. I get the same thing from time to time. Take care bud!
 
Welcome back.

The Pro Series II rockets come with a retainer and so you won't need to modify anything really on the motor mount. I'd suggest a different mounting system for the shock cord though.
 
Ok, got my 40% coupon printed for Hobby Lobby! I'm going down there tomorrow to pick up my next project! Excited to see what i end up with!
 
If anything, grab an SU motor if they have any.....the coupon knocks them down to $16 or so from $27.....The Pro II rockets are gone from my local HL's....one has a Leviathan but some douche tore it open and took the retainer and chute....same location has 3 empty 29mm motor bags too.....pretty dang sad.
 
ereinert,

I'm also in the process of building my first medium powered rocket, a Leviathan. Like yours I used an eyebolt and Kevlar shock chord. My engine mount is definitely over build. I left the rear centering ring off until after I had installed the fins. That way I was able to put epoxy fillets where the fins touch the motor mount. The lower rail button is screwed into the piece of wood that was glued unto the rear centering ring. for the upper RB I used a rounded off piece of wood which I glued to the inside of the body tube. Sorry I don't have any pictures from when I was building that part of the rocket.
As you can see in the pictures I added big fillets to fins using epoxy mixed with micro balloons. I know the rocket is heavier and much beefier that it needs to be.. overkill.. :eyeroll: I read a lot on the forum before starting my MPR build just to get an idea of some of the techniques that people are using. My Leviathan became a learning platform and the skills I hope to refine in future builds.
IMG_4852.jpgIMG_4853.jpg

For the engine I will be using a RouseTech 29/40-120 reload case. I'm not planning on flying this rocket high power.
 
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crossbound's, Great idea on leaving the last ring till after the fins. I wish that I would have done that. I had a lot of trouble dripping the glue into the pre cut fin slots and still wonder if the glue is where i want it. On my next pro series build, I will do the same. Awesome! Thanks for sharing.. I used 2 part epoxy on the rail button's where it passes thru the body tube for extra strength.
 
These are fun kits, aren't they? I'm gonna build them all and have the complete fleet.
 
Fred, I agree. I love there large size and they are fun to build. I also plan on building the entire pro series line. I might have to order them online though. Went to Hobby Lobby today and they didn't have any.. :(
 
My HL's only have hooks and inventory tags for Ventris and Leviathan....so even stocked those are the only two I can get with the coupon. That's okay for now....I need a Leviathan!
 
I used a pair of small screw-eyes in the aft ring on my last build so that I had something to grab to pull the ring off, so I could do the internal fillets.
rex
 
Rex, that is a great idea. when I glued in my engine mount into the body tube I did put the rear centering ring in temporarily to ensure the engine tube was centered. But it was a bit of a hassle getting it back out to do the fillets.
 
Rex R said:
I used a pair of small screw-eyes in the aft ring on my last build so that I had something to grab to pull the ring off, so I could do the internal fillets.
rex
Click to expand...
Another great idea! I wish now that I would have left the last ring off. I didn't even think about getting glue in there until it came time to do it and realized I had no access.. Sigh and I plan on using this for a level 1 certification. Maybe I will build a second pro series for that.
 
On second thought, The motor mount is secured strong with two part epoxy and it aint coming out. I will make some nice heavy fillets and i'm sure she will be fine.
 
I don't think you have to worry.. There was an other Leviathan build thread on the forum, where the rocket was build pretty much stock. It was flown for a L1 cert, and did just fine.
 
just do normal size fillets, anything more doesn't add any notable strength...but it does add un-needed weight. I don't trust tape, not with they way I fit centering rings...mine usually fit Tight! :)
rex
 
My centering rings were definitely a nice tight fit required a little wiggle to get them into the body tube. I definitely have a nice bond on the top and bottom rings with the epoxy but questionable on the center ring. My concerns are on the fins as I had limited access to the internal fillets. I understand that a thicker fillets wont matter much but maybe running a little higher on the fins and body tube.
 
Got all the spiral grooves filled on my Leviathan and my Swift. Tomorrow is sanding time! Things are coming along..

wood putty bath.jpg
 
Right now I'm working on a fiberglass Honest John and doing the through the wall tabs reminded me that since you forgot about your fillets inside, you could get a syringe and cut a slot alongside in between the fins and then do fillets with the fins to the motor tube, it will be a bit more difficult to do than if you did it before adding the rear centering ring but it might be worth it. Once you finish you can take the strip of cardboard and epoxy it back in place and sand it flush to the body, it's kind of complicated but since it's for your L1 it might be worth the extra work than risking it. Might want to get a bunch of syringes too incase cleaning them out doesn't work too well. Great build and good luck on your L1! I hope to see a video of it when you make your attempt.
 
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soxfan121 said:
Right now I'm working on a fiberglass Honest John and doing the through the wall tabs reminded me that since you forgot about your fillets inside, you could get a syringe and cut a slot alongside in between the fins and then do fillets with the fins to the motor tube, it will be a bit more difficult to do than if you did it before adding the rear centering ring but it might be worth it. Once you finish you can take the strip of cardboard and epoxy it back in place and sand it flush to the body, it's kind of complicated but since it's for your L1 it might be worth the extra work than risking it. Might want to get a bunch of syringes too incase cleaning them out doesn't work too well. Great build and good luck on your L1! I hope to see a video of it when you make your attempt.
Click to expand...

Hey soxfan! thanks for the great advice! I think I got ahead of myself on this build. I certainly like the idea of leaving the bottom motor mount ring out until the internal fillets are complete. I might scratch this build up to experience and build another for my level 1. I have my eye on an Apogee level 1 kit witch is a fiberglass model and will use my new gained knowledge on this project. My Leviathan is a great looking ride and will put her up on some f or g's but i'm thinking not for my level 1. But i will certanly document my level 1 flight on video and post it here on this forum.
 
There's a good chance you know this already but remember when working with fiberglass you need to wear a respirator (only if sanding or cutting though) and should work in an extremely well ventilated area away from open windows if you're working outside (your windows and neighbors) because the dust created from sanding/cutting fiberglass is extremely hazardous. I like the idea of just using this rocket for experience and I think maybe a good kit for you to get your L1 on is fiberglass Nike Smoke, it's an easy build and a very cool rocket. It comes with a 38mm motor mount so you can feed it low thrust but high power H or I reloads, I suggest Cesaroni reloads. Good luck, can't wait for my L1 next spring.
 
ereinert said:
Hey soxfan! thanks for the great advice! I think I got ahead of myself on this build. I certainly like the idea of leaving the bottom motor mount ring out until the internal fillets are complete. I might scratch this build up to experience and build another for my level 1. I have my eye on an Apogee level 1 kit witch is a fiberglass model and will use my new gained knowledge on this project. My Leviathan is a great looking ride and will put her up on some f or g's but i'm thinking not for my level 1. But i will certanly document my level 1 flight on video and post it here on this forum.
Click to expand...

I'd try it with Gs and if it seems it wants more, give it more. This is a more natural progression towards a "baby H" type of certification, not to necessarily get all you can from L1 or to "achieve" it, but to get all you can from a rocket you already have.

I don't think internal fillets are needed for this kind of rocket, question is did you get some glue in there or not?
 
They are no need for fiberglass for a Lev 1, use your Leviathan and a Cesaroni H90 and get your certification. It will reach around 2000 feet with this motor. Keep the fiberglass project for you lev 2 .... but something heavier than a 2.6" Nike Smoke, a J or K motor is way more powerfull than a small H
 

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