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SeanW78 said:
Super Big Bertha

Super Big Bertha

Received this beauty. Should be a fun build.
Click to expand...
Have you started building yours? I just jumped back into the sport now that my son seems to have a passion for all things mechanical. My kit came in last night and I dove into it for a bit. Ran into a couple of things that seemed odd to me.
1) Why are the 1/16" balsa skins for the fins in two pieces? There's plenty of room on the sheets for them to have been cut in one piece. I trust there's a reason, but...
2) Why isn't there a blocking ring to keep the motor from sliding into the MMT? The launch prep instructions have you taping a 1/4" strip in a few layers to do the same task, but it seems like a backdoor solution for an otherwise simple problem.
 
CalebJ said:
Have you started building yours? I just jumped back into the sport now that my son seems to have a passion for all things mechanical. My kit came in last night and I dove into it for a bit. Ran into a couple of things that seemed odd to me.
1) Why are the 1/16" balsa skins for the fins in two pieces? There's plenty of room on the sheets for them to have been cut in one piece. I trust there's a reason, but...
2) Why isn't there a blocking ring to keep the motor from sliding into the MMT? The launch prep instructions have you taping a 1/4" strip in a few layers to do the same task, but it seems like a backdoor solution for an otherwise simple problem.
Click to expand...

Welcome Caleb!

For your first item, it's probably a matter of balsa grain direction. Traditionally Estes runs the grain parallel to the leading wedge of the fin for strength (if parallel to the body tube, they're much weaker when flexing).

On the second point, a motor block prevents longer motors from being used in the kit. Many of us like to stick long 29mm motors like full G's, H's, and I's. These composite motors have thrust rings built into them and do not need a motor block, but estes includes the tape instructions for being able to fly blackpowder 29mm motors like the E16 and F15 that don't have a thrust ring.
 
If you'll fly it only with the Estes 29 mm BP engines, you could add an engine block positioned for the 114 mm length (accounting for overhang) and use an engine hook. But there are many other options in 29 mm motors, and they vary considerably in length; to use them you should leave out the engine block. Other 29 mm motors have a thrust ring at the base of the motor, and you can use a tape wrap to gain the same function.

Oops, ninjad.
 
Thanks to both of you for the clarification on the motor length variety. I knew there was more than one, but not so many. As a kid I never launched anything beyond a D engine so this never came up.

Regarding the grain, I'd wondered about that but both pieces are cut with the grain moving the same direction.
Fin.jpg

I temporarily slid the assembly together last night just to get a feel for the overall size. Still have several build steps left and a ton of finish work. Lego Saturn V for scale...
Collection.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nytrunner said:
There's been a whole lot of development in the past years. This website/vendor has a trove of information regarding different aspects and techniques in modern hobby rocketry

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Motor-Basics-Quick-Start-Guide?m=quickside
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. I've been trying to absorb as much info as I can but for the moment it's like drinking from a fire hose. I'll be attending a local club's launch on Saturday to really get started down the rabbit hole.
 
krislhull said:
After not attending a launch of any kind in over a year, I finally took the time today to inventory my build pile and inspect my fleet for any issues since they have been sitting idle for so long. I am hoping that my work schedule will allow for me to attend some launches this year! I havent even touched my building supplies since last April, and I am itching to fly something more than the 747 I fly on at work (flying over a million miles a year gets very old very fast)!
Click to expand...
Get you some!!!
 
Tobor said:
Sweet. I have the same kit but haven't worked up the nerve to tackle it. I've never had much luck with vacuform parts.

In other news....
Almost finished this Goblin for my GF's son.
View attachment 404286
Just need to spray back fin Black and clear coat everything. That happens tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Tobor:

That is a Sweet looking Goblin... He will be Stoked to shoot that one...

Victor
 
Tobor said:
Sweet. I have the same kit but haven't worked up the nerve to tackle it. I've never had much luck with vacuform parts.

In other news....
Almost finished this Goblin for my GF's son.
View attachment 404286
Just need to spray back fin Black and clear coat everything. That happens tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Would you paint mine? LOL!

Waiting for decent weather to paint my Goblin, V2 and Der Red Max.
 
E9DA69C8-8E8D-4C4D-A5A9-FA7E1A942BE1.jpeg B8B9936D-54A3-439C-9845-CAA4BEE981CC.jpeg 12AC9214-26A6-4509-BDDC-3688E099F1F1.jpeg CF8E7F7B-7D15-4293-8D6D-6546D979FFC0.jpeg EACDD48C-5462-46C5-A8A6-D660B7661F7E.jpeg E9DA69C8-8E8D-4C4D-A5A9-FA7E1A942BE1.jpeg

SR -71 Build I was able to get down to the building table and accomplished a big mess!!!

After glue set on covering noticed bottom sheet did not line up. I will have to live with that it shouldn’t hurt it more cosmetics..

Got wings, dummy motors, top and bottom fins done tonight...

Tomorrow I will trim up covering, install engine mount, Chute and nose weight.. if time permits..

Prime the Seahawk
 
Vdutel said:
Tobor:

That is a Sweet looking Goblin... He will be Stoked to shoot that one...

Victor
Click to expand...
John Kemker said:
Would you paint mine? LOL!

Waiting for decent weather to paint my Goblin, V2 and Der Red Max.
Click to expand...

Thx guys. It "was" turning out well. Painted last fin black but would up with a light partial finger print on the airframe, so I didn't want to clear coat it until after could erase it with some 1000 grit sandpaper. I did clear coat the NC. That print was serendipitous. Turns out the clear attacked the black on the NC. Totally ruined it. If I had sprayed clear on the airframe.....

I only use Rust-Oleum rattle cans. So I'll have to find a different clear from them and test before applying it on the Goblin.
 
Finaly getting this MC Torrent finished up for my daughter. I have a Loki G66R loaded up with a 6sec delay for the first flight. I will be using 1gram of BP in the motor eject, JLCR set for 500'.

~John
 

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CalebJ said:
Have you started building yours? I just jumped back into the sport now that my son seems to have a passion for all things mechanical. My kit came in last night and I dove into it for a bit. Ran into a couple of things that seemed odd to me.
1) Why are the 1/16" balsa skins for the fins in two pieces? There's plenty of room on the sheets for them to have been cut in one piece. I trust there's a reason, but...
2) Why isn't there a blocking ring to keep the motor from sliding into the MMT? The launch prep instructions have you taping a 1/4" strip in a few layers to do the same task, but it seems like a backdoor solution for an otherwise simple problem.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town for work.

I noted the separate wing pieces and figured they were either for ease of shipping or grain direction. I've assembled and glued all of them and may paper them as well. The elastic shock and folded paper mount is the standard Estes way. I'm sticking with that for the first few flights, but, if it survives, I may upgrade the recovery.

Enjoy the journey and fly it high!
 
I do not like them Crazy Jim,
I do not like these built up fins...
20200125_094218.jpg

In reality, these arent too bad. The one piece side panels with strategic bend line make things go rather smoothly. Just have to holdthe edges till the glue sets
 
Ascenders ready to go.jpg
BeerorKid said:
I would guess many folks do a little rocketry work every few days. Maybe your work is not new thread worthy, but you might want to at least share with others.
If you feel like it, this can be a thread for that. On the arcade message board I visit they have a thread like that and it is nice.
Click to expand...
Your right I do a little each day today I checked all my shock cords and parachutes. All lines,chutes, cords, and swivels set to go. I'm ready for some fun as soon as the wind dies down. What you see here are variations of the Estes Ascender rocket the Ascenders fly on Aerotech F23 Fast Jack Econojet 29 mm - Single Use motors. Notice sized up BT-70 Ascender we call it the Dragon we use F67-9W Economax Single Use Motor now that's fun. We only use 9" parachutes and long delays to get our rockets back in launch area surrounded by water. They come down hard but we build them strong.
BeerorKid said:
I would guess many folks do a little rocketry work every few days. Maybe your work is not new thread worthy, but you might want to at least share with others.
If you feel like it, this can be a thread for that. On the arcade message board I visit they have a thread like that and it is nice.
Click to expand...
 
mbeels said:
Whoa, ok, that will require a build thread :D
Click to expand...

I’ll probably get that up in a month or so when progress has happened. It’ll be under the Scratch Built section under the name Spruce Goose. This will probably be the first time the LCO will read the color as “spruce and cherry”!
 
SeanW78 said:
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town for work.

I noted the separate wing pieces and figured they were either for ease of shipping or grain direction. I've assembled and glued all of them and may paper them as well.
Click to expand...
That's the thing - the grain is the same direction on everything, and it would have fit just as easily in one piece as two. Maybe there was less chance of breaking in the package as separate pieces?

Mine is assembled, just need to finish priming and painting tomorrow if I can heat up the garage enough.
 
Turning out decently. A few minutes here and there throughout the day and the Patriot fins are done. Just need epoxy to dry and final sanding

20200125_132442.jpg 20200125_194728.jpg
 

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