Comanche 3 stage joiners

Hi,

Making a Comanche 3 with my son. This will be our 3rd rocket after the Ricochet and the one that has the two gliders. I have noticed the joiners that hold the stages together are very tight. The instructions recommend putting cellotape on the joiners to make sure its a firm fit. But I am worried its too tight already and will not release. Should I expect these to be tight?

thanks
Kwaz

You should expect that the humidity levels of the day will always have an effect on the fit. Most of us just sand them until they slide smoothly. Tape only if it gets too loose.

OK, thanks for that, sanding coming up. Will need to be careful as they are quite thin.

Soak with thin Ca [superglue] then sand,makes for stronger coupler and slicker fit.

Thanks blackjack, have plenty of CA so will give that a try.

Remember to tape the second stage and sustainer motors together. They should also have a good friction fit in motor tube. This is especially true for the sustainer, since there may be no deployment if it kicks out.

The stages need to hold together long enough to light the next stage. Then you want a clean separation. So too tight is just as bad, maybe worse than too loose. The Comanche 3 is a bit ambitious with no staging experience. Maybe build and fly a Mongoose or another two stage a few times before going for three? I have found the Mongoose to be the easiest two stage that I have flown.

DaveW6DPS said:

Remember to tape the second stage and sustainer motors together. They should also have a good friction fit in motor tube. This is especially true for the sustainer, since there may be no deployment if it kicks out.

The stages need to hold together long enough to light the next stage. Then you want a clean separation. So too tight is just as bad, maybe worse than too loose. The Comanche 3 is a bit ambitious with no staging experience. Maybe build and fly a Mongoose or another two stage a few times before going for three? I have found the Mongoose to be the easiest two stage that I have flown.

Click to expand...

My son and I are working on this same kit. You can fly the Comanche 3 as a single stage, a two stager and as a 3 stager. My son wants to fly as a single and work up to all 3.

First time you fly all three parts, go low on the motors, particularly the upper stages.

https://estesrockets.com/product/007245-comanche-3/

Recommended Engines
3 Stage Launches : 1st Stage: C11-0, D12-0 2nd Stage: B6-0, C6-0. Rocket: B6-6, C6-7

2 Stage Launches using 2nd and 3rd Stages : 2nd Stage: C6-0. Rocket: B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Rocket Only: B4-4, B6-4, C6-5


Estes says you can go with a B6-6 in sustainer,I would consider an A8-5.

Suggests C6-0 or B6-0 in middle stage, I definitely wouldn’t put a C in it for first flight. Estes actually makes an A8-0, it would work for for this rocket although it would be a quick pop pop between ignitions of second stage and sustainer.

I like the C11-0 for the first stage.

Good luck finding all these at Hobby Lobby, but HobbyLinc.com does have all the options available.

In any case hope for a windless day and have lots of eyes out.