LDRS 30 Miss Riley Tailcone

Some of you know the history far better than I. I wish I could have been there to see some of these fly.
If there are any photos of the built rockets, I would like to see them.




When I saw this nozzle was available, I jumped at the chance. I now have a new project to add to my backlog. Thank you Curtis.

That’s an interesting piece of history you’ve acquired. I know nothing of the rocket your referencing. Are you looking to make it fly again?

I heard a rumor that Rocketman was considering a new production run on these. If you’re interested let him know.

I have a 6 inch started ..it is a team project with CaveDuck and Aeropack Bob

Kenny

Nice photos - thanks for sharing. Does anyone have pics of this 6 inch version being launched?

Andrew_ASC said:

That’s an interesting piece of history you’ve acquired. I know nothing of the rocket your referencing. Are you looking to make it fly again?

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Andrew,
There was a movie called October Sky, which came from an autobiographical book named Rocket Boys. The boys’ beloved teacher was named Miss Riley. The teacher became ill and the Rocket Boys built a rocket and wrote her name on the side.
The Rocketman, Ky Michaelson, (https://www.the-rocketman.com) built the rockets for the movie and offered a replica of the Miss Riley rocket for sale. He made many other kits as well.
I don’t remember the details of the promotion done in conjunction with LDRS 30.
Unfortunately, as much as I liked the movie and especially the book, I didn’t buy one of the kits when they were available. I’ll probably cobble together my own version at some time, unless Ky and Buddy do come out with another run.

I would absolutely love it if they did another run!

Here’s the link with Frank De Brouwer’s original post on the topic...

https://www.eurocketry.org/forum/german/viewtopic.php?t=1305&sid=3179b185f5f5448591e385ae3d655195

How does motor retention work with that nozzle?

Definitely a cool looking piece.

Also, What are the mechanical reasons for that shape?

Chris_H said:

How does motor retention work with that nozzle?

Definitely a cool looking piece.

Also, What are the mechanical reasons for that shape?

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1. I don’t know.
2. I always thought so.
3. It looks similar to the rocket used in the movie, which includes references to de Laval nozzle design:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Laval_nozzle

Is that a nozzle or retainer? If a retainer, I wonder if the Krushnic effect comes into play.

It’s just cosmetic, technically not a functional nozzle or retainer. It’s made by AeroPack to fit over their 75mm retainer. I have not yet put the components together to see how it works...

Let me know if those who’d like a Miss Riley Kit, I may turn this into a L1, L2, and a L3 Model with the aluminum nozzles. It’s be all fiberglass with Dual Deploy.

Kenny we have to get busy on that! The 6 inch version is a real chonk but it's going to look nice on L power.

Definitely interested in a continuation series. I think the Miss Riley rocket is responsible for a lot of BARs, so if it's born again, it's only fitting.

FYI - The Rocket Boys' author wrote several other books about his life growing up in a coal mining town, and went on to work at NASA:

https://homerhickam.com/

Buddy Michaelson said:

Let me know if those who’d like a Miss Riley Kit, I may turn this into a L1, L2, and a L3 Model with the aluminum nozzles. It’s be all fiberglass with Dual Deploy.

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I'm in Buddy ... 4" or 5" 54mm all fiberglass with dual deploy and your fine Rocket-Man recovery systems to complete the kit would make a fine L2 bird ... three months to delivery work for you Buddy?

Push the envelope ... as they say!

Yes, Yes, Yes! I'd love to build the "MIss Riley" kit. Please!

jmwoody said:

I'm in Buddy ... 4" or 5" 54mm all fiberglass with dual deploy and your fine Rocket-Man recovery systems to complete the kit would make a fine L2 bird ... three months to delivery work for you Buddy?

Push the envelope ... as they say!

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Sounds good!! I’ll keep you in mind, the 4” would have a 75mm motor mount but you can always adapt it down. Go big or go home

Looking for a future L3 project anyway, so big is good!