Rocketry Warehouse Hurricane 38 Build

I recently got the Hurricane 38 from Rocketry Warehouse and thought I would do a build thread since I have not posted in a while, I started by cleaning everything and gluing the centering rings 1/8 inch from the ends of the motor tube, the motor tube is really short.


Once the centering rings dried I ran a length of Kevlar through the slit in the forward centering ring.


Then glued the Kevlar to the motor tube with JB Weld


After the JB Weld dried I did a test fit of the motor tube to figure out how the fins needed to be modified to fit and slotted the front of the fins to fit


With the motor tube glued in, I taped off the aft end and applied epoxy to the aft centering ring

Looks good so far. What are you using for a motor retainer?

Well given the size of the motor tube it will be friction fit.

I have one of these in my build pile. Why friction fit? I think I have seen others using basic Aeropacs on their minis. I've been trying to come up with my own style of slimline retainer. I have made some progress but just figured I would by one instead. I will be going with a slimline from Giant Leap most likely. I test fitted my PML HAMR and it doesn't stick out past the body tube, width wise - smaller OD so that is another option. Just have to come up with the cash for either. I have been anxious to get started building but just waiting til I get the retainer issues sorted out, and decide on which altimeter I am going to use since my Quark died during bench tests. So now I take it down on occasion and fondle it, then put it back in the box on the top shelf, next to my 2.6" Patriot and a few dozen others. :sigh:

Mike

Well today, got the fins on and taped off for the first fillets, the fillets did not turn out as well as I had hoped.

Any updates? Interested in seeing more photos!

I am considering this kit for my next build. I see it does have a 8" motor tube. The length of the tube should not be an issue, as the motor can extend past the forward end of the tube, right?

Last time I saw it, he was working the fillets. Said he wasn't thrilled with how they turned out. I'll remind him to do an update when I talk to him this week.

Kruegon said:

Last time I saw it, he was working the fillets. Said he wasn't thrilled with how they turned out. I'll remind him to do an update when I talk to him this week.

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I don't think anyone is ever 100% happy with their build. There are always small imperfections. The saying at our house is," you can't see it from the launch pad".

About to get back to this sorry got derailed for a bit.

The motor tube is a bit short, there is barely enough room for the centering rings and the fin tabs.I had to slightly modify the fins to get them to fit.

ok back to it, I did not like how the bulkhead for the nosecone shoulder was a flush fit, so I put it in the lathe and turned it down to fit inside.


Then glued it in the shoulder with the eye bolt. And then glued it into the nosecone.

So why do the fin tabs need to be modified? It it because of where you put the centering rings? (Those look like awfully thick/long centering rings!) How did you end up modifying the fin tabs? i.e. did you reduce the length of the tab at the front of the fin, back, both? Are the fins still centered in their slots, or have you shifted them forward/back from normal?

Also, odd that there is no apparent consideration for motor retention in the kit. There doesn't appear to be any length of MMT to attach a retainer to, not a lot of space to put a simple "screw/washer" combo...

Still, enjoying your build thread! That orange is pretty spectacular!

-e

emckee said:

So why do the fin tabs need to be modified? It it because of where you put the centering rings? (Those look like awfully thick/long centering rings!) How did you end up modifying the fin tabs? i.e. did you reduce the length of the tab at the front of the fin, back, both? Are the fins still centered in their slots, or have you shifted them forward/back from normal?

Also, odd that there is no apparent consideration for motor retention in the kit. There doesn't appear to be any length of MMT to attach a retainer to, not a lot of space to put a simple "screw/washer" combo...

Still, enjoying your build thread! That orange is pretty spectacular!

-e

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I shortened the fin tabs at the front only. Had I not done that the centering rings would have been right at the end of the motor tube.Motor retention is going to be an issue, still working on that and started the A/V bay tonight. The motor tube is simply not long enough for a retainer, the centering rings and the fin tabs.

Have you called RW to see if they could send you a longer tube?

Danomite45 said:

Have you called RW to see if they could send you a longer tube?

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No, I am building it the way it comes, so you can see it needs some, but not very much modification. It is a good kit, but, it is a builders kit, you have to put some thought into it!

rdunn12 said:

No, I am building it the way it comes, so you can see it needs some, but not very much modification. It is a good kit, but, it is a builders kit, you have to put some thought into it!

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I do see they have a 12" length of 29mm fiberglass tube which could be used for the motor mount. It wouldn't be orange though.
$11.50 for the 12" length. I think I may have to buy this piece when I get my kit.....on the black Friday sale!!
https://rocketrywarehouse.com/product_info.php?products_id=1048

Started work on the A/V bay last night and did some work tonight, the sled is 1/8 plywood.


I made a stop for the battery from G-10 and glued it to the plywood, notched the G-10 for the wires to run through.


Sled with wires ran through notch and layout for a Stratologger CF.

Got the sheer pins installed and the screw hole for the screw that holds the upper section to the A/V bay drilled and chamfered.


Finished up the A/V bay today, waiting on the altimeter.

Got the altimeter in and got it finished today, painted the lower part black, added a stripe to the upper section. Turned out pretty good I think, what do you guys think?

Very nice job. on the av-bay are you just using 1 threaded rod?

Great job but I wouldn't have glued the coupler into the nose cone. The NC is perfect for a tracker. You'll find out these skinny rockets can get out of sight quick.
Im waiting for the Rapton to go on sale. Im ditching the 29mm motor mount and going MD 38mm. I just love all the cool colors that RW has.

No threaded rod, the bulkheads are screwed to the half moon pieces of plywood glued to the sled, I did not have room for a threaded rod.

bill2654 said:

Great job but I wouldn't have glued the coupler into the nose cone. The NC is perfect for a tracker. You'll find out these skinny rockets can get out of sight quick.
Im waiting for the Rapton to go on sale. Im ditching the 29mm motor mount and going MD 38mm. I just love all the cool colors that RW has.

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I wanted a dual deploy rocket, that I could fly in our small field, so tracking was not a concern.

Also, I rounded the bottom tips of the fins, because I dropped it on a concrete floor. oops

rdunn12 said:

No threaded rod, the bulkheads are screwed to the half moon pieces of plywood glued to the sled, I did not have room for a threaded rod.
View attachment 276129

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If you get a delay that's too long or too short and you have a violent separation your Av-bay could pull apart. If you can you ought to add all thread just for insurance. Here is my 38mm av-bay.

The black aft section looks awesome. I don't advise dropping it on the fins though. Now you have a Hurricane 38 mod. Tsk tsk. Guess you need to build another one now lol. They have a Hurricane 54 too?

I like it!

Will I get to see this fly Saturday?

Danomite45 said:

I like it!

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Thanks!!

Well it didn't fly today at the NAR launch but I did get to see it. Very nice rocket. Looks like an awesome 38mm kit. And the price is nice as well. Hopefully it'll fly tomorrow at the TRA launch. Assuming rdunn12 makes it.