TLP Indigo Build, (With Launch Video Now)

[TopRamen]

Got the other 2 Fins on.

 

[TopRamen]

I thought I'de like this Jig a lot better than I do. I'm kinda' wishing I'de stuck to Eyeballing it now. Maybe I should have made two Jigs. While the rear set of Fins were drying I noticed that one of them had canted slightly. It was slight, and I'll just live with it, but if I had'nt relied on the Jig, it would be perfect.
All the Fins are on now and drying, so atleast I can stop thinking about it til' the next build.

 

[TopRamen]

I was able to tweak the misaligned Fin to my liking. Thankfully it is incredibly humid here today, so the Glue is slow to dry.
Now I have what looks like a Rocket.
I have'nt installed the Chute' yet, but as it sits it weighs in at 10.25oz.

 

[TopRamen]

I think it is great that you can get this much Rocket for $26.99!!!
TLP is the Best!:clap:

 

[TopRamen]

It actually feels awkward when you pick it up off of the Bench because it is so light!
It's Center of Gravity however is directly underneath its Front Fins, making its Stability more Marginal. I'de hate to fly it with any Wind.
I'm hoping that the addition of a Chute and Swivels will contribute to a Caliber and a Quarter of CG infront of the Front Fins. Mindsim says this makes for a Stable Rocket.

 

[JeromeK99]

It actually feels awkward when you pick it up off of the Bench because it is so light!
It's Center of Gravity however is directly underneath its Front Fins, making its Stability more Marginal. I'de hate to fly it with any Wind.
I'm hoping that the addition of a Chute and Swivels will contribute to a Caliber and a Quarter of CG infront of the Front Fins. Mindsim says this makes for a Stable Rocket.

It actually could be a whole lot lighter. You've added quite a bit of weight with the bondo, epoxy and even the fin papering. Add your recovery gear, paint and motor and you might squeak by at 14oz or under for a D12-3.

Be sure to check your stability in your sims with the motor installed and that you compensate for your mods by overriding your component mass to match the actual weight. If not, use the sim for calculating your CP and manually find your GC with a motor installed to estimate your stability.

Cool build! Its fun seeing what what folks come up with on TLP builds. What do you have planned for a paint scheme?


Jerome

 

[TopRamen]

It actually could be a whole lot lighter. You've added quite a bit of weight with the bondo, epoxy and even the fin papering. Add your recovery gear, paint and motor and you might squeak by at 14oz or under for a D12-3.

Be sure to check your stability in your sims with the motor installed and that you compensate for your mods by overriding your component mass to match the actual weight. If not, use the sim for calculating your CP and manually find your GC with a motor installed to estimate your stability.

Cool build! Its fun seeing what what folks come up with on TLP builds. What do you have planned for a paint scheme?


Jerome

Thanks.

This is as light as I dare build.
I'm not going to bother with Sims. For Paint I'm going to go with something as close as possible to what is on the Picture that came with it.

 

[JP Morgan]

When I use just one foam board template, I CA glue one end of the fin so it doesn't walk to one side.

JP

 

[TopRamen]

When I use just one foam board template, I CA glue one end of the fin so it doesn't walk to one side.

JP

I used to do that when Epoxying Fins, but I guess I got carried away with the whole "Doublegluing" thing, and did'nt even think of that.
I'll try that next time.

 

[TopRamen]

It's going to be fun to do the "Heavy Version" of this Bird. I might get Crazy and try to build it to handle 2 G's. :y:
Everything within' the Rules for MPR ofcourse.

 

[TopRamen]

 

[TopRamen]

Got some Primer on there. Now I can find all the stuff that needs filling and sanding.

 

[marwady]

That's a lotta rocket, aint it???

Lookin' real good.

Budget for a lot of paint, I remember I kept on pulling cans off the rack to get it done.

Mine got a bit corkscrewy on a E18 RMS towards the end of boost.

I added another 1/2 oz. of nose weight and have not flown it yet.

Looking forward to seeing yours finished.

Cheers!!

 

[TopRamen]

Thanks.
Yeah, it is a lot of Rocket!
I love the looks/shape of these Fins.

 

[TopRamen]

Thankfully, this time I did ok with it, and sanding and re-priming will be kept to a minimum. Got the Nose Cone filled and sanded again, then stuck it in there to give the Rocket its Second Coat of Primer.

 

[TopRamen]

It looks sweet from this Angle.

 

[TopRamen]

She looks pretty on the Bench.

 

[TopRamen]

 

[TopRamen]

This is my new Favorite Rocket!

 

[TopRamen]

I had ENOUGH of the Spiral and any other little imperfections, so I went crazy with the Bondo.

 

[TopRamen]

Got some sanding done, but it was really hot outside and I became frustrated with it, so the rest of the Sanding will have to wait.

 

[TopRamen]

As she sits right now, she weighs 11.6oz.

 

[TopRamen]

I got some more sanding and priming done today. Not Pic' worthy, as it still needs more.

 

[TopRamen]

A little Nose Cone Sanding today, but was busy finishing off the Astron Elliptic 1 Decals and Clear Coat, then I had to go places and do Things. I'm hoping to finish atleast the White Paint on this Bird tomorrow.
It's lookin' good though.

 

[JP Morgan]

A little Nose Cone Sanding today, but was busy finishing off the Astron Elliptic 1 Decals and Clear Coat, then I had to go places and do Things. I'm hoping to finish atleast the White Paint on this Bird tomorrow.
It's lookin' good though.

Yes it is! Good work TR!
If you remember, I bashed my Indigo. After seeing yours I wish I hadn't done that! Although the rocket
that came out of it flies very well I have to say.

JP

 

[TopRamen]

Thanks JP.
One of the rear Fins is acting Wonky. It is as if the Glue has not cured all the way. You can move it, then it stays where you leave it.

Thus concludes my experiment with "Lightweight Building Techniques".
This fin will have to get some Epoxy Fillets to keep it in position. It's really weird. The other fins are all quite solid.

 

[JP Morgan]

That's strange indeed. Could it be the glassine keeping it from bonding?

JP

 

[TopRamen]

That's strange indeed. Could it be the glassine keeping it from bonding?

JP

I scrubbed all the way through the Glassine. It's as if the Titebond II on this one Fin somehow never dried. It had plenty of time before I put the Trim and Molding Adhesive Fillets on.
I noticed the Fin was strange while sanding the Airial on it. The Primer developed a visible Crack, and looking at the fins from the rear showed that my gentle sanding had indeed bent the fin over by a few degrees. I bent it back, and it stayed there. Then I purposely bent it again and it stayed bent.
I'm sanding away the TBTM Fillets, and will mask off everything and lay in some Epoxy Fillets.
The rest of the Fins feel quite rigid.

 

[JP Morgan]

Given the circumstances I would do the same thing, epoxy.

Strange indeed, about that one fin, maybe it had some dust on it from sanding?

JP

 

[TopRamen]

Given the circumstances I would do the same thing, epoxy.

Strange indeed, about that one fin, maybe it had some dust on it from sanding?

JP

Yeah. It's probably the fin that I had to remove and re-glue. That would make the most sense as to why it did'nt bond correctly.

Should be fine with some Epoxy Fillets, but when I first discovered it it really bummed me out.
A Learning Experience atleast.
I'll get right in there with the Sandpaper and do my best.