An "R"-powered rocket build

Binder Design said:

Here's your fin can.

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That is a work of art. I want one but I'm too poor XD

Nice glad to see a piece Dave and I helped with become real. It ain’t gonna flutter.

levi seaton said:

That is awesome!!! Too bad it has to be painted to fly at Argonia

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I thought it had to be painted too but that requirement was relaxed at the beginning of the year. That beautiful fin can will shine in all it's glory!

Chuck C.

Welding shop black.

Binder Design said:

Here's your fin can.

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Mike you are well-known for putting out quality work and this is no exception!

Like others have said that is a work of art. Very impressive.

Guys I can't tell you enough how easy it is to work with Mike. And he obviously puts out top-notch stuff.

Another hit from Binder Design!

Chuck C.

That is one sexy fin can!

Rail Dawg said:

Mike you are well-known for putting out quality work and this is no exception!

Like others have said that is a work of art. Very impressive.

Guys I can't tell you enough how easy it is to work with Mike. And he obviously puts out top-notch stuff.

Another hit from Binder Design!

Chuck C.

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Thanks for the opportunity!

"Too bad it has to be painted to fly at Argonia"

Really? Might I ask what the reason is behind this???

Binder Design said:

Here's your fin can.

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NOW, things are starting to get SERIOUS !

If a "color" is required, you could always use a thin, "candy" ( transparent ) paint.

Dave F.

FredA said:

"Too bad it has to be painted to fly at Argonia"

Really? Might I ask what the reason is behind this???

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You can, but may receive no satisfactory answer without driving out and buying a club officer a beer.

Although now the rule is done away with maybe things will be less cagey

Andrew_ASC said:

Nice glad to see a piece Dave and I helped with become real. It ain’t gonna flutter.

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Andrew,

Yes, indeed . . . That unit really looks strong and I, like you, share the mutual confidence and sense of accomplishment of our labor !

It's an amazing thing to see something that has either previously existed on paper ( or a computer screen ) become reality.

I'm confident that our collaboration will give Chuck the margin of safety, to avoid flutter, that he needs for this incredible project.

It is a pleasure working with a fellow "Steely-Eyed Missile Man" like you, Andrew !

Dave F.

Andrew_ASC said:

Nice glad to see a piece Dave and I helped with become real. It ain’t gonna flutter.

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You guys did have some great input on this and it's appreciated.

It ain't gonna flutter just like you said lol.

Thanks Andrew.

Chuck C.

Really like this switch from FingerTech Robotics that blackjack2564 mentioned a little while ago.

It's small but it's robust and simple. Am going to install 3 of them although only 2 are needed right now for the altimeters. The extra one is in case it's needed down the line.

Chuck C.

What mach will it get to?

Lukun7 said:

What mach will it get to?

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2.1 is what the sims show.

Thanks.

Chuck C.

Rail Dawg said:

2.1 is what the sims show.

Thanks.

Chuck C.

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Chuck,

Once we get Static Test numbers and a final "all-up" weight . . . Only then, will we be able to accurately predict maximum velocity and maximum altitude.

Dave F.

This beast is bolted down and the hydraulics are up and running. I need to get the tower and rail mounted, build the supports to carry the vehicle and this girl will be about wrapped up.

levi seaton said:

This beast is bolted down and the hydraulics are up and running. I need to get the tower and rail mounted, build the supports to carry the vehicle and this girl will be about wrapped up.

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Levi,

That looks great, sir !

Dave F.

levi seaton said:

This beast is bolted down and the hydraulics are up and running. I need to get the tower and rail mounted, build the supports to carry the vehicle and this girl will be about wrapped up.

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Now that is starting to look like a mobile rocket-launch pad!

Coming together nicely!

Chuck C.

Rail Dawg said:

Now that is starting to look like a mobile rocket-launch pad!

Coming together nicely!

Chuck C.

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Chuck,

FOUR things to consider about the trailer, in use.

( 1 ) How will it "behave" as the rocket is raised into position for launch ( The CG will constantly be shifting aft on the trailer ) ?

( 2 ) Will the jacks be able to adequately support and stabilize it, when fully loaded ?

( 3 ) When traveling, what will the Tongue Weight be on the trailer hitch, BOTH loaded and unloaded ?

( 4 ) Depending on how the weight is distributed, how will the loaded trailer handle, at highway speeds, BOTH loaded and unloaded ?

Dave F.

Wide jack pads integrated on the jacks or separate will be needed for setting up on soft ground such as a plowed field.

Ez2cDave said:

Chuck,

FOUR things to consider about the trailer, in use.

( 1 ) How will it "behave" as the rocket is raised into position for launch ( The CG will constantly be shifting aft on the trailer ) ?

( 2 ) Will the jacks be able to adequately support and stabilize it, when fully loaded ?

( 3 ) When traveling, what will the Tongue Weight be on the trailer hitch, BOTH loaded and unloaded ?

( 4 ) Depending on how the weight is distributed, how will the loaded trailer handle, at highway speeds, BOTH loaded and unloaded ?

Dave F.





View attachment 385371

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Fortunately Levi knows exactly what he's doing.

And through many years of various mistakes hauling trailers I've got the battle scars of wisdom lol.

Biggest mistake (of many) was hauling a heavy tractor behind a Ford Expedition. Things were good at 50 mph but I got cocky and went to 55 mph. Yep... the Death Wobble. Got lucky and recovered but for about 10 seconds there thought for sure my sorry rear was going into the weeds upside down.

Lesson learned.

Hauling this trailer will be done with all those scars in mind. Mainly because doing something stupid with an expensive (and time-consuming!) rocket is not in the plans.

Thanks!

Chuck C.

Mightyrocketman said:

Wide jack pads integrated on the jacks or separate will be needed for setting up on soft ground such as a plowed field.

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Thanks for this. Good point.

When needed we'll have some steel plates as pads for that softer ground.

Appreciate the input.

Chuck C.

Rail Dawg said:

Fortunately Levi knows exactly what he's doing.

And through many years of various mistakes hauling trailers I've got the battle scars of wisdom lol.

Biggest mistake (of many) was hauling a heavy tractor behind a Ford Expedition. Things were good at 50 mph but I got cocky and went to 55 mph. Yep... the Death Wobble. Got lucky and recovered but for about 10 seconds there thought for sure my sorry rear was going into the weeds upside down.

Lesson learned.

Hauling this trailer will be done with all those scars in mind. Mainly because doing something stupid with an expensive (and time-consuming!) rocket is not in the plans.

Thanks!

Chuck C.

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Chuck,

I wasn't worried about Levi . . . LOL !

I just thought the possible issues should be addressed, at this stage, rather than discover them the "hard way" !

I have also experienced the "death wobble" firsthand . . . Short-wheelbase 1992 full-size Bronco XLT, pulling a badly-packed, heavily-loaded, 6' x 12' Uhaul trailer from FL to NC . . . Low speeds, no problem, BUT at 60 mph or higher it would try to "crack the whip" . . . It was VIOLENT !

My encounter happened right after reaching the end of the on ramp on I-95 . . . While under heavy acceleration, it felt OK ( a "little squirrelly" ) . . . I had reached 70 mph and was just setting the cruise control, when all Hell broke loose !

I quickly "toured all three lanes, the hard way", several times, in moderate traffic !

I thought for sure I was either going to hit another vehicle or end up rolling it . . . I kept my foot off the brake ( like with a blowout ) and concentrated on steering and counter-steering, until it slowed down and "calmed down". I stopped in the service lane, thinking I had blown a tire, but they were all fine. So, I started accelerating, slowly this time and, sure enough, right about 60 mph, it would start wobbling again.

Since unloading and re-packing the trailer on the side of the road was not a "wife-approved option", the entire 800 mile drive was accomplished at 55 mph, in a 70 mph zone . . . That was the longest 800 miles I ever drove in my entire life - LOL !

FOR THE RECORD - At that time, I knew ZERO about packing trailers and Uhaul provided no advice in advance . . . I actually thought I had too much weight forward, when exactly the opposite was true . . . Anyway, we survived !

Dave F.

With a generator on board and tools we'll get the launch trailer balanced correctly.

Your cautions are noted and appreciated.

Chuck C.

Almost there

Like a Wendy's burger....Got BEEF !!!! lols

levi seaton said:

Almost there

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Levi,

WOW . . . Very Cool !

How are you going to protect the wiring and the hydraulic lines ?

How long does it take to travel, full range ?

Do you think the transit time will vary much, when the rocket is on the rail ?

Dave F.

Chuck,

QUESTION : How are you going to load the rocket on the rail ?

Dave F.

levi seaton said:

Almost there

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Like the man said that’s got some beef!

The outriggers are awesome. Even wider than I expected. Great for the “S” rocket too!

Love the hydraulics.

Really good work Levi. Excited to pick it up.

Chuck C.