Wildman's MACH 2 rocket

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Fer chissakes people, a simple wedge is perfectly fine for a project like this so chill.
23k? One better check their nearby waivers and stick a Tracker of some kind in there. Kurt

Not to want to burst your bubble, but..... I rec'd my Mach2 about a month ago and just got around to unpacking it. My fins as taken out of the packaging were beveled on both leading and trailing edge. Yup! both edges, could be a fluke but that's the way I got them. I'll post a pic later when I get home. The Mystery gets cloudier....... Appears that some are and some aren't, or I have the odd kit.
 
I'd go as far as to say no rocket needs bevelled fins; but to get the more speed and altitude out of any given vehicle you'll have better results with bevelled leading and trailing edges.
IF you want altitude you do. That strip of fin would create a lot of base drag at 1,500 MPH or so. On this rocket it could cost you 1,000 ft. or so.

Also, try simming it on a CTI L935. That motor has 300 more NS than the L1000. Love the L1000, don't get me wrong. but I'll bet you get close to a thousand feet more with the CTI.
 
I just checked that file from post 12...um it's wonky..only 3 fins way oversize and stability off the chart -3.06
Nose cone wrong. Not 4-1 [9in] should be 5-1 haack [13.25in]

Can't figure out why CG is BEHIND CP.... weight at 28oz is WAY off.

View attachment 338021


No wonder your sims are so far off. You should be getting around 23-24,000 as Justin mentioned.

View attachment 338022

I corrected it...added 4th fin etc. but the darn CG refuses to move.

Mine built, no gear installed weighs 4lb 10oz.



I'll just do another new file.

Go into the first row on the upper left under the Mach 2 name and double click "Stage". Then go into the "override" and click off the CG. Then you should see your CG move back and forth with modifications.
 
First time using RASAero II and I am getting about a 4,000' difference in the 2 systems using a K-805G Motor. Here are the files. Anyone care to take a look?
I am using the tailcone aft closure on this.
 

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The airfoil section of your fins are square on RASAero. Change the fin design to rounded and the 2 sims are then pretty close.
 
Why am I just seeing this thread and where has this rocket been all my life?!

Got to get one dude. I'm trying to get mine ready for BALLS. It won't be 100% true minimum diameter but the tailcone will offset the LumaDyne inserts and the pinned rail guides. I have mine setup to fly on all the 54mm relaods with a carbon and kevlar fin can.
 
Got to get one dude. I'm trying to get mine ready for BALLS. It won't be 100% true minimum diameter but the tailcone will offset the LumaDyne inserts and the pinned rail guides. I have mine setup to fly on all the 54mm relaods with a carbon and kevlar fin can.

Damn, you might as well call the thing "I don't mind replacing my electronics!" That thing will be a comet. I'll be at Pat's camp at BALLS, you'll have to show it to me before you launch.
 
That's really looking good to me. But I'm no expert, I just know what I like.
 
If you used the right glue, no laminating needed.

One of the reasons behind this great little rocket design.
 
If you used the right glue, no laminating needed.

One of the reasons behind this great little rocket design.

I used Proline to tack and do small fillets, the. Rocketpoxy for the bigger fillets. I know it doesn't need tip to tip, but I'm getting better at it, I already have the materials, like doing it and want the added durability. Plus it's a blue kevlar carbon weave that will match the paint job planned for this.
 
The kit comes with a small batch of Proline 4500 which is enough to mount and fillet the fins. I have a mixing chart for the proline that helps you mix from 1gram to 120grams. Shows the resin and hardener weight needed for each batch. PM me your email and I can send it.
 
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I think it was made by one of the Aerotech hardware companies. Either Aerotech, Dr. Rockets or Monster motors. My friend works for Aerotech.
I'm pretty confident it's a 54mm Rouse-Tech Tailcone. I've got one and it looks identical to that. I know they made them for 38, 54, and 75mm motors as I bought them when they were released. The 38mm was recalled though but I can't specifically remember why.

Edit: they only made them in 38, 54, and 75 and then recalled the 38.
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/rouse-tech-releases-tail-cone-closures.35744/
 
Really nice build - thanks for posting your progress. I'm curious why you chose conformal guides over a MD launch tower - at M2 won't conformals create problems ? (No personal experience to share on this, I'm afraid - just asking and learning!)
LOL, ain't that the truth. Here are a few pictures as of today. Getting ready for laminating.
View attachment 389301
View attachment 389302
 
Which glue is the "right glue?"
(I need this kit)
Edit - I just ordered this kit

The epoxy that comes with it was used to assemble 50 of them for use with L-1000's
The all flew over M-2 with some approaching M-3

If doing something stupid fast use Hysol or 3mm aerospace grade glue. I have a build thread somewhere I think it's Hysol Loctite EA- E-120-P
3M makes an equivalent. Google is your friend.
If your building stuff like this...you should be able to research the correct glue. At this level it no longer a rocket , but a projectile. lol ;)
 
Here’s one more data point for the Mach 2 kit, I’ve really enjoyed mine! After a H130W shakedown I flew mine on the AT 54/2560 K480W to 22,285' AGL (recorded by RRC3 baro altimeter and verified by GPS). Velocity data from the altimeter was not reliable, but the flight simmed at ~M1.8. This was tower launched with no rail buttons or lugs.

The K480W landed just under 1 mile from the pad. It outperformed my OpenRocket sim by 3,000' when set to "smooth paint" finish, so be advised if you are simming near the limits of your club’s waiver!

I used Hysol E-120HP for the fin roots (thanks for sharing this recommendation, CJ), and then pulled generous 1" diameter tool fillets over that after sanding again using the included Proline4500.

No tip-to-tip. I clear coated everything with SprayMax 2K clear (which is super nasty stuff but gives good results, wear a real respirator). This was the second flight and the fins are rock solid. Only consequence of this fast flight was my vinyl flyer info sticker got melty.

I used ~12" and 42" ultralight spherachutes which gave me 80 and 26 fps descent rates. My dry weight was ~1305 grams.

Next flight will be the dual thrust K375NW, hopefully in early August.

DSC01888.jpg DSC01889.jpg IMG_3658.jpg
 
Really nice build - thanks for posting your progress. I'm curious why you chose conformal guides over a MD launch tower - at M2 won't conformals create problems ? (No personal experience to share on this, I'm afraid - just asking and learning!)

I already had them and didn't want to build a tower and dont know anyone local with one . I also wanted to be able to use the 1010 rail for it for simplicity. I didn't want to use the fly away guides for a few reasons. I dont believe they will cause any issues at speed. If anyone wants to chime in on that, please do. Again not going after performance but wanted to try different things on this.
 
I'm like Rob - i'm not going for performance, just something new. But for me, that means using fly away guides because i've never used them before and this build is as good as any to try it.
 
Here’s one more data point for the Mach 2 kit, I’ve really enjoyed mine! After a H130W shakedown I flew mine on the AT 54/2560 K480W to 22,285' AGL (recorded by RRC3 baro altimeter and verified by GPS). Velocity data from the altimeter was not reliable, but the flight simmed at ~M1.8. This was tower launched with no rail buttons or lugs.

The K480W landed just under 1 mile from the pad. It outperformed my OpenRocket sim by 3,000' when set to "smooth paint" finish, so be advised if you are simming near the limits of your club’s waiver!

I used Hysol E-120HP for the fin roots (thanks for sharing this recommendation, CJ), and then pulled generous 1" diameter tool fillets over that after sanding again using the included Proline4500.

No tip-to-tip. I clear coated everything with SprayMax 2K clear (which is super nasty stuff but gives good results, wear a real respirator). This was the second flight and the fins are rock solid. Only consequence of this fast flight was my vinyl flyer info sticker got melty.

I used ~12" and 42" ultralight spherachutes which gave me 80 and 26 fps descent rates. My dry weight was ~1305 grams.

Next flight will be the dual thrust K375NW, hopefully in early August.

View attachment 389330 View attachment 389329 View attachment 389331
Nice. Got any pics of your avbay with altimeter and GPS?

Also, is your launch site NCR?
 
Out of curiosity, how are people attaching their recovery systems to the booster? Attaching to the motor, or something else?

-Kevin
 
Out of curiosity, how are people attaching their recovery systems to the booster? Attaching to the motor, or something else?

-Kevin

I machined a retainer similar to the glue in commercial MD retainers, but mine is held in the air frame with 4 set screws through the airframe so it’s removable. I use a threaded forward closure and 5/16” set screw into this retainer.

Buckeye-

Yep, NCR with 35k’ call-in windows. Ebay pics below, I had to order a longer coupler to fit my long sled.


IMG_7014.jpgIMG_7463.jpgIMG_7457.jpgIMG_7461.jpg
 
That is a NICE av-bay and retainer!
How much BP are you using and shear pin info?

I'm using the AeroPack minimum diameter retainer with the eye bolt for recovery and threaded forward closures with the matching adapters.
 
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