X-15 Build

Nytrunner said:

This is a great project!

Did you develop the parts yourself or base them off a kit?

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I developed it myself based on the X-plane from the 1960s-70s.

Lol, I wasn't too clear. I'm familiar with the X-15, just wondered how you got the approach to shape the airframe and translate it into a rocket

Oh. I was watching you tube videos of the Saturn v and this happened to pop up,and something clicked in my head.
I have seen how some others have done similar builds. (Hornet Driver comes to mind with his awesome alien ship rockets.) And I’m kind of just winging the rest. I’ve looked up a bunch of pictures online and got it to where it looks pretty close to the real thing, just tweaked here and there for stability.
I had the BT-55 tube and nose left over from an Estes Gobin kitbash. The rest I picked up at Hobby Lobby or ordered online.

The formed wood sheets are a great effect

Nytrunner said:

The formed wood sheets are a great effect

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Yeah. Picked up that technique from Hornet Driver. You should look up his stuff, it’s pretty amazing.

John_461 said:

Yeah. Picked up that technique from Hornet Driver. You should look up his stuff, it’s pretty amazing.

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They're the most epic sci-fi builds I've seen here.

Too bad he doesn't seem to be around these days.

Yup. Life always seems to get in the way.

Looks cool.

Pic 4 looks like your canopy seals the nose to the body tube. I don’t have open rocket so didn’t see the file. Is this rear eject?

BABAR said:

Looks cool.

Pic 4 looks like your canopy seals the nose to the body tube. I don’t have open rocket so didn’t see the file. Is this rear eject?

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Sorry for the long absence, life gets in the way sometimes.

The canopy was molded as one piece across the nose cone/body tube for uniformity. I plan to cut it loose with a razor saw when I'm happy with it's shape.

Finally a little progress.

Freed the nosecone from the body with a razor knife and glued on the launch lug. I’m not sure if the placement is going to be ok so far from the centerline of the rocket.

The first coats of primer were laid down.

More primer. Using different colors of primer so I can see how much I’ve sanded off.

3 coats of satin black and 2 coats of satin clear.

Had to move into the kitchen for better light. Haha

Beautiful.

Very nice! It is inspiring me to build something similar.

-Bob

Nice work. I love the X-15, and you have a very nice one there.

Looking great!

Finally got off of my butt and got this thing finished!

Big shout out to Mark Hayes at stickershock23.com for the custom decals.

Can’t wait to see her fly!

Beautiful job!

Wow! looks awesome.

That is impressive work. Love the X-15 (and most other rockets of a certain age.) You can keep your Falcon Heavy.

Spiffy!

Came out very nice. Do t forget to update us with the flight report

Bob

In case anyone "feels the need" . . .

I you want access to more X-15 data, shoot me an email for a Dropbox invitation . . .

Dave F.
[email protected]

She flew today on a D12-5. My calibrated eye determined it got pretty close to the OR simulated 900’.

Congratulations! You've accomplished something that Estes and Quest could not: Got a straight, safe, and stable X15 flight on the first try.

Very awesome! Thanks for posting the flight

-Bob

kuririn said:

Congratulations! You've accomplished something that Estes and Quest could not: Got a straight, safe, and stable X15 flight on the first try.

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Dittos on that.
Hot looking bird that also flies well. That really is an accomplishment. Any damage on recovery?

BABAR said:

Dittos on that.
Hot looking bird that also flies well. That really is an accomplishment. Any damage on recovery?

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No damage.
I put an 18” parachute in it. Which slowed it’s decent rate to about 15fps. Just a little dirt on the dorsal fin.

The X-15 flew again today at the SARA launch. We were able to catch some pretty cool stills of the flight.

I flipped this on on its side...just for fun.