****** RIM-66 Std (2.6 ")

Decided I wanted to begin working on my RIM-66 with a very casual attempt to have it ready to fly at MMWP next month.
In an effort to give it a more scale like profile, I will not use the 16" AV-bay included in the kit.

So here we go...



The green airframe is only that color for the sake of contrast. The actual paint scheme will use the Black/White fin tracking markings on a white airframe.

Nice I like this!

Paint it green! It's unique! Scalefolk bedarned!

Since my last post....
*Used masking tape wrapped around MMT to create spacers for GLR Threaded Slim-Line Retainer.
*Notched fins to accommodate recessed retainer.
*Figured out CR spacing on MMT and set 3of4 in place with crazy glue.







No time left right now for the last CR. Had to post this update and now I need to get ready for the movies. Going to see End Game!!!

Cheers.

Last Monday I made a bit more progress. Located and set the 4th CR in place. Also affixed an 8-32 T-Nut to the MMT for the aft rail button. Used JB Weld to set the T-Nut and as an undercoating for the Fix-it epoxy putty that surrounds the T-Nut. That puppy will never break free of the MMT.

Beautiful RIM.

Andrew_ASC said:

Beautiful RIM.

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Agreed, the RIM is a cool looking rocket.

Looking really good, one of my favorite kits. Thanks for the helpful thread.

@Brian Kirksey: Thx

So I think I am zeroing in on the paint scheme. It is a simple paint scheme but has some character.


It is based on a picture of a RIM-67B I found on the Net



Just need to tweak it a bit and then contact Mark for the vinyl.

And a little more done over the last few days.

Fwd rail button mount and CRs epoxied in place.


1/16" steel cable for recovery epoxied in with JB Weld and a strip of FG cloth.

Last Friday evening I ran into an issue, the nosecone is not round. It is most prominent in the shoulder. And since this NC is fiberglass, I cannot reset the shape with heat, as far as I know.

To be far to Mach 1, this kit was not purchased directly from them. I bought it from another flyer at Bong last year, at a very large discount from MSRP. This kit does look to be an early production run as far as I can tell.

At some point I will replace the NC. But for MMWP 2019, I have managed to make it usable for flying.

I will post pics tomorrow evening.

Not sure what the glass transition temperature, Tg, is for your nosecone, but if you look at FR4 fiberglass (PCBs) it is around 140degC. This is a good indication of about where your NC might be in the materials arena. Remember, you are not trying to melt the glass, only soften the matrix (epoxy). Maybe try a "slow" oven (300-325degF, around 150degF). Even start a bit lower to be safe. Soften it a little, squeeze a little...

OverTheTop said:

Not sure what the glass transition temperature, Tg, is for your nosecone, but if you look at FR4 fiberglass (PCBs) it is around 140degC. This is a good indication of about where your NC might be in the materials arena. Remember, you are not trying to melt the glass, only soften the matrix (epoxy). Maybe try a "slow" oven (300-325degF, around 150degF). Even start a bit lower to be safe. Soften it a little, squeeze a little...

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Okay, thanks for the info. I will give it a try after MMWP.

Tobor said:

Okay, thanks for the info. I will give it a try after MMWP.

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Post pics of the problem and the process as you are attempting it . . .

Ez2cDave said:

Post pics of the problem and the process as you are attempting it . . .

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For the fix, I just sanded all the gel coating off the shoulder to get the NC to slide into the airframe without binding. I will eventually replace the NC.

In other news....
Yesterday at Bong I attempted my L2, with mixed results.


Looking small next to that 100lb Honest John

Perfect liftoff on an AT K513FJ-14. Apogee: 8.5K+ ft. Disappeared above the clouds. EggFinder LCD didn't lose lock on the rocket until it descended below 750 ft.



Last known location put it at 42.630667, -88.154750



Attempted to wade into the landing area and failed. (Later a park official informed me water depth was over 12 ft). Wildman suggested buying a raft from Walmart. So I did.
After the T-Stroms past I headed out to get my rocket.



The only damage was to my JLCR. It got soaked. Need to send it to Mr. Beans.

Unfortunately my L3 (Nikki) had left Bong when the T-Storms rolled in.

Great looking rocket, and cool story about the recovery. Not to distract from any of this--but do you have any information on that 100lb Honest John in the background? Any idea who the rocketeer was? That's MY KIND OF ROCKET! Gotta love the HoJo's.

Tobor said:

View attachment 384808Attempted to wade into the landing area and failed. (Later a park official informed me water depth was over 12 ft). Wildman suggested buying a raft from Walmart. So I did.After the T-Storms passed, I headed out to get my rocket.

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If you were in the South, that looks like a good place to encounter a Water Moccasin . . . Alligators, too !

Dave F.

lowga said:

Great looking rocket, and cool story about the recovery. Not to distract from any of this--but do you have any information on that 100lb Honest John in the background? Any idea who the rocketeer was? That's MY KIND OF ROCKET! Gotta love the HoJo's.

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Hi Les
The HOJO flew in honor to the Vets we had at the launch. Chuck Nozicka is the owner of the rocket. He flew it on a AT M1939. Flight and recovery went perfect. The Vets were all smiles when it roared into the sky. I am sure there will be video and pictures of it on Tripoli WI web page very soon.

Tobor said:

View attachment 384808
For the fix, I just sanded all the gel coating off the shoulder to get the NC to slide into the airframe without binding. I will eventually replace the NC.

In other news....
Yesterday at Bong I attempted my L2, with mixed results.

View attachment 384821
Looking small next to that 100lb Honest John
View attachment 384815
Perfect liftoff on an AT K513FJ-14. Apogee: 8.5K+ ft. Disappeared above the clouds. EggFinder LCD didn't lose lock on the rocket until it descended below 750 ft.


View attachment 384820
Last known location put it at 42.630667, -88.154750

View attachment 384822

Attempted to wade into the landing area and failed. (Later a park official informed me water depth was over 12 ft). Wildman suggested buying a raft from Walmart. So I did.
After the T-Stroms past I headed out to get my rocket.

View attachment 384823 View attachment 384824 View attachment 384825

The only damage was to my JLCR. It got soaked. Need to send it to Mr. Beans.

Unfortunately my L3 (Nikki) had left Bong when the T-Storms rolled in.

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TOBOR
very glad you got it back. Welcome to L2

Oi, that looks tricky. So now you have your rocket, AND a bonus raft, but did you get the L2???

Hope you got credit for L2. Sounds like you more than earned it. Do you know if Chuck Nozicka is on TRF? I'd love to learn more about that HoJo. Super great of you guys to fly it in honor of the vets present. Even though I'm a Navy guy (Submarines) I still love that Army rocket.

Tobor,

We had similar recovery endeavors on Saturday....actually my last two monthly launches at Bong.

Cool looking rocket; sorry about the wet and wild recovery!!!

Anyone interested (like I was) in seeing the flight of the 100lb Honest John can view a video here:



Thanks to Gary AKA "Crossfire" for bringing the video to my attention. My wife says that my HoJo addiction is out of hand. Now I can proudly point to Chuck's Honest John, and say "Hey, I'm not as bad as THAT GUY."

Thanks guys.

Before anything else, I need to credit and thank Ed Dewey for the launch pic. What a great shot.

Secondly, watching that HoJo light up and fly was totally awesome. Btw, that rocket uses a clustered motor config. 1 98mm surrounded by x4 38mm motors IIRC.

As to my certification, I will know more this coming Saturday at Bong.

the video of the HoJo was cool, as was seeing your flight / the snip of you prepping your rocket.

Made it to Bong this morning. Nikki inspected the rocket and approved the cert attempt. So now I'm officially L2

Congrats on L2.

Well done!

Congratulation on the cert!

Andrew_ASC said:

Congrats on L2.

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Theory said:

Well done!

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OverTheTop said:

Congratulation on the cert!

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Thanks guys.