Anyone Build/Clone a Blue Bird Zero with a Long 24mm Engine Mount?

If so, any advice?
Did it perform well?
Any pics and/or video?
Thank You Kindly

I built the Semroc BBZ kit with 24 mm MMT. No pic handy but flies great on C11,D12 and 24/40 E's. I didn't lengthen the MMT. One change I would make if I built another one would be to make the upper body tube a payload bay. It would be easier to store/transport.

Woody's Workshop said:

If so, any advice?
Did it perform well?
Any pics and/or video?
Thank You Kindly

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I have Woody, Its a BBZ with a Estes 24mm motor retainer and no motor block and double tubed (full length coupler lined) and papered fins. I can put any 24mm motor in it and it flies great, motors so far have been 24/40 and 24/60 reloadables.

I scratchbuilt a BBZ some years back. I kept the stock 18mm motor mount but built a custom 24mm booster for it. Flies great on D12-0 to C6-5.

You can always download one of my sims, and mod it for your needs to see what they say. However, with the length involved, and prior experience with redshifting rockets makes me feel that (like the previous replies) that there will be no problem with doing it. You'll just want to make sure you pay attention to your delays to ensure good recoveries (e.g. no zippers).

rharshberger said:

I have Woody, Its a BBZ with a Estes 24mm motor retainer and no motor block and double tubed (full length coupler lined) and papered fins. I can put any 24mm motor in it and it flies great, motors so far have been 24/40 and 24/60 reloadables.

Click to expand...

Does that make it a minimum-diameter type rocket? And does the coupler lining run to the top of the engine and that edge is what acts as the motor block?

Sorry for the newb questions. I've haven't been on the forum long and learning new terms that I hadn't seen before.

Tyler P said:

Does that make it a minimum-diameter type rocket? And does the coupler lining run to the top of the engine and that edge is what acts as the motor block?

Sorry for the newb questions. I've haven't been on the forum long and learning new terms that I hadn't seen before.

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No its not a MD rocket, the airframe is 1.325 OD x 1.283 ID (.021" wall) and the coupler stock is 1.280 OD x 1.212" ID (.034 wall) and a BT50 (24mm motor mount tube) is .976" OD so its smaller than the diameter of the airframe and the coupler, to be exact for centering rings I used cardstock coated with glue and wrapped multiple layers around the MMT. The fins are through the wall (TTW) and have very short tabs. The couplers start at the top of the MMT and go to the base of the nose cone. There is no motor block, I use either a tape thrust ring on Estes motors or the Aerotech motors thrust ring is secured by the Estes plastic screw on retainer I used on it, both motors whether tape thrust ring or machined are secured by the retainer. In a minimum diamter rocket the airframe IS the motor tube. I no longer use motor blocks, period, on 24mm and larger motor mounts due to the casing and motor options available.

for what it's worth, I did an upscale BBZ with a 24mm mount.. BT-60 flies OK..

(Actually, I've up & downscaled the BBZ.. I currently have 6 sizes, BT-5 - BT-80!!)

dr wogz said:

for what it's worth, I did an upscale BBZ with a 24mm mount.. BT-60 flies OK..

(Actually, I've up & downscaled the BBZ.. I currently have 6 sizes, BT-5 - BT-80!!)

Click to expand...

Its on my to do list to up and down scale the BBZ as well as the the Cherokee-D (I currently have 3).

rharshberger said:

No its not a MD rocket, the airframe is 1.325 OD x 1.283 ID (.021" wall) and the coupler stock is 1.280 OD x 1.212" ID (.034 wall) and a BT50 (24mm motor mount tube) is .976" OD so its smaller than the diameter of the airframe and the coupler, to be exact for centering rings I used cardstock coated with glue and wrapped multiple layers around the MMT. The fins are through the wall (TTW) and have very short tabs. The couplers start at the top of the MMT and go to the base of the nose cone. There is no motor block, I use either a tape thrust ring on Estes motors or the Aerotech motors thrust ring is secured by the Estes plastic screw on retainer I used on it, both motors whether tape thrust ring or machined are secured by the retainer. In a minimum diamter rocket the airframe IS the motor tube. I no longer use motor blocks period on 24mm and larger motor mounts due to the casing and motor options available.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed explanation! It actually makes it perfectly clear!

dr wogz said:

for what it's worth, I did an upscale BBZ with a 24mm mount.. BT-60 flies OK..

(Actually, I've up & downscaled the BBZ.. I currently have 6 sizes, BT-5 - BT-80!!)

Click to expand...

You JUST HAVE TO post pics...!!!

Tyler P said:

Thanks for the detailed explanation! It actually makes it perfectly clear!

Click to expand...

The retainer ring is not on the retainer but its exactly the same diameter as the airframe, the only part of the retainer larger than the airframe is the ribs to make gripping it easier and those can be turned/sanded off if so desired. I don't remove the ribs because they really don't make much difference in performance. The decals were printed on my inkjet printer for the black decals and the BBZ was masked and painted using letters cut on my wifes CriCut machine.

That is a sweet looking rocket. I may have to clone one when I get back into building.

Woody's Workshop said:

You JUST HAVE TO post pics...!!!

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trying to!! Got them on my phone, gotta figure out how first!

Woody's Workshop said:

If so, any advice?
Did it perform well?
Any pics and/or video?
Thank You Kindly

Click to expand...

I think I have working
..

Did it post?

Holy Molly!
That's quite the collection.
This inspires me to finish up all my sizes of Wizards....
I need twist the wife's arm harder, I need about 4 cans of Glossy White!