Miss Riley Owner/Builder Thread .

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I finally got off my lazy and flew the Miss Riley #66 today on an i/161 3gr/w with the TTRA Tampa club - good times/ great people and a Nice flight , what more could you ask for . It for sure will handle MUCH more motor with no problem , although Im not sure I want to fly it again, if I do I will double power ;)
Congratulations Andrew on a beautiful build and flight!!
 
I finally got off my lazy and flew the Miss Riley #66 today on an i/161 3gr/w with the TTRA Tampa club - good times/ great people and a Nice flight , what more could you ask for . It for sure will handle MUCH more motor with no problem , although Im not sure I want to fly it again, if I do I will double power ;)

Andy,
I was there yesterday too at the TTRA launch. You had a great flight. The paint scheme on Miss Riley is really nice, the tailpiece looks super sharp too.
Seemed like a lot of ignition problems for flyers yesterday though.
I flew my LOC EZI-65 twice. Black and orange named "40 DOLLARS A SECOND" two good flights for me despite the wind conditions. On my last flight, I was actually on the same launch session as you, just two rails away from you on the high power pads.
Lots of great people there. Lots of good flights too.
Plus, I finally got a chance to see that big monster "PURPLE HAZE" too.

See you at the next launch in February.
Brian
#19075
 
Recently got some color on the airframe. Unfortunately also wound up with some dust n' stuff in the paint. Realized later that I had momentarily rested the front edge of the airfame on the work table just before applying paint. Will sand those critters out and apply second coat tonight.
 
Major progress.
Ms Riley Pearl White Complete-Small.jpg

Final coat of white and Frosted Pearl clear applied. After paint lines are scribed and tape removed, I'll need to sand same and prep fins for blue color. I wound up with too many scuff marks on fins that I don't think just shooting clear will hide.

To-Do list.
*Spray fins (2~3 coats of color)
*Spray NC (2 coats gloss clear)
*Sand airframe with 800~1000 grit.
*Apply decals and spray airframe (2 coats gloss clear)
*Epoxy nozzle and retainer to tail end.
*Then wait for warmer weather to fly this puppy
 
You would be amazed what a few good coats of clear hides on those fins .....
 
Andy,
I was there yesterday too at the TTRA launch. You had a great flight. The paint scheme on Miss Riley is really nice, the tailpiece looks super sharp too.
Seemed like a lot of ignition problems for flyers yesterday though.
I flew my LOC EZI-65 twice. Black and orange named "40 DOLLARS A SECOND" two good flights for me despite the wind conditions. On my last flight, I was actually on the same launch session as you, just two rails away from you on the high power pads.
Lots of great people there. Lots of good flights too.
Plus, I finally got a chance to see that big monster "PURPLE HAZE" too.

See you at the next launch in February.
Brian
#19075
Was good to see ya Brian , we need a group session on a solid igniter formal and make us all a big batch ..
 
This morning I sprayed 2 coats of color (Rust-Oleum Deep Blue) on the fins. Amazing how closely it matches the resin color. Also sprayed clear on the NC but mucked it up. Can you say "Timber!!"? Tomorrow I will sand down the mess and try again.
 
This morning I sprayed 2 coats of color (Rust-Oleum Deep Blue) on the fins. Amazing how closely it matches the resin color. Also sprayed clear on the NC but mucked it up. Can you say "Timber!!"? Tomorrow I will sand down the mess and try again.

Thats sucks- I feel your pain, been there done that.
 
Not the best - but a video of my first flight with my Riley #66 - on an i161 3gr / DD main at 500ft no drouge .
It can CERTAINLY handle much more motor - that was 1530ft and I really expected higher, so yeah - not bad for a shake down flight :rolleyes:
 
Looks great, why did you decide to paint the entire rocket? You’d be amazed what clear cost can do to raw dyed fiberglass.
I was wondering the same thing?

Well the airframe had dark marks from my construction that would not sand out. Fins had a small issue with the leading edges that required Bondo to fill. So I decided it was necessary to paint the fins also. Only the NC has a clear coat only finish.
 
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IMG_4986.jpg

I just finished Miss Riley #42. The fillets didn't come out quite as nice as Buddy's, but with a little sanding/clear coat it still turned out really nice. I spent a fair amount of time polishing the nosecone tip and nozzle as well. All up weight is 72 oz and the only real modification I made was to add a compartment in the nosecone for a GPS tracker. I plan to launch her at Lucerne in March !
 
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I just finished Miss Riley #42. The fillets didn't come out quite as nice as Buddy's, but with a little sanding/clear coat it still turned out really nice. I spent a fair amount of time polishing the nosecone tip and nozzle as well. All up weight is 72 oz and the only real modification I made was to add a compartment in the nosecone for a GPS tracker. I plan to launch her at Lucerne in March !
Nice! Congrats on completing #42.
I ran into an issue when I clear coated the airframe to protect the vinyl decal. Working on the solution, slowly....
 
I think I need to make a fix- I assembled the nose cone with the bulk plate on the outside end of the nose cone, and I am having trouble fitting the parachute inside as a result. The instructions didn't have text for the nose cone, and I didn't think about there being room for the recovery system. I may cut the bulk plate with the eye-bolt off, sand the perimeter and then epoxy it inside the nose coupler to provide a couple more precious inches of room... :(
 
I think I need to make a fix- I assembled the nose cone with the bulk plate on the outside end of the nose cone, and I am having trouble fitting the parachute inside as a result. The instructions didn't have text for the nose cone, and I didn't think about there being room for the recovery system. I may cut the bulk plate with the eye-bolt off, sand the perimeter and then epoxy it inside the nose coupler to provide a couple more precious inches of room... :(

Space issue sorted...

IMG_6827.JPG IMG_6829.JPG IMG_6830.JPG IMG_6831.JPG IMG_6832.JPG

Gotta love epoxy clay...
 
So I finally made a little time and got around to building my av bay last night-
I must say , Im very impressed with thought and quality workmanship Steve puts into his product @ SMT designs .
To be honest , it has me rethinking any future av bay build without considering his product.
Thanks Buddy and Steve , getting closer to that first flight.

Silly question: I have the av bay assembled as well, and I believe the intent with the switch is to push a pin into the hole to arm the electronics - but how do you DISarm the electronics once the switch is activated? I am missing something obvious here, but I am (admittedly) at a total loss...
 
Silly question: I have the av bay assembled as well, and I believe the intent with the switch is to push a pin into the hole to arm the electronics - but how do you DISarm the electronics once the switch is activated? I am missing something obvious here, but I am (admittedly) at a total loss...
I believe it's screw activated, so you would provide for keeping the switch screw in, adjusting the length appropriately. Switch side on the mains side, the tube remains connected to that end of the e-bay with rivets as well. Releasing the switch turns off the electronics is my observation.
 
I believe it's screw activated, so you would provide for keeping the switch screw in, adjusting the length appropriately. Switch side on the mains side, the tube remains connected to that end of the e-bay with rivets as well. Releasing the switch turns off the electronics is my observation.

From SMT's site:
The actual switch is a single pole double throw style and can be wired to turn electronics on or off when installing the arming screw.
 
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