1950's cartoon rocket: No cardboard, No fiberglass, No carbon fiber, No sweat?

[FerdBerful]

This is just at the "what am I going to build after my next rocket?" stage,
but ...

While walking the dog this morning, I came up with I project to build after
I finish my L3 cert rocket (parts arriving tomorrow.)

Here's a "I'm really not an artist" sketch:



I Google'd around for an image that fit my fuzzy notion of a 1950's cartoon rocket.
This isn't exactly right, but it's in the neighborhood:



After I found the above I realized that the Rocketry Forum logo is maybe even
closer

Anyway I'm thinking 75mm motor mount, maybe 6 feet tall.

But what about the "No cardboard, No fiberglass, No carbon fiber" part?

Ah. Yes.

To make it interesting, I'm thinking I'd limit myself to "wood only", no cardboard.

My hazy idea is that I would use plywood centering rings as the "keel" that the
rest of the rocket hangs off of. I would then add "spokes" at (say) 30 degree
intervals made from plywood shaped like half the sketch. These would have
much of the interior part of the sheet removed leaving only enough material
to keep things from flopping around.

And then I'd add stringer between the plywood spokes. Finally I'd skin the skeleton
with sheets of (say) 1/32" plywood.


All comments welcome.

 

[les]

Looks cool. Waiting to see the build

 

[Ravenex]

Your project is a lot bigger, but this may give you some inspiration:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=35524

 

[BuiltFromTrash]

There was a kit released of TRF's rocket. It was released by Pem-Tec : https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/. I don't think it is sold anymore if it ever was. But I know some frequent people around here have it or know about it. They might give some insight on this.
What your talking about is BIG in comparison. Yea it can be done, I would research some RC airplane forums first, they do this all the time for big models.

^^^ Well RavenX gave you the short version of my post. I wonder if they are still being sold?

 

[Steve Shannon]

If you put TRF in the search function for Pemberton it finds it and "add to cart" is enabled:
https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/trf-logo-rocket/


Steve Shannon

 

[BDB]

I sounds like you want something like this with a thin wood skin on it: https://www.rocketarium.com/Rockets/Mega-Rebel?cPath=111&

 

[NateLowrie]

I sounds like you want something like this with a thin wood skin on it: https://www.rocketarium.com/Rockets/Mega-Rebel?cPath=111&

I have that kit. Flies great. I think you could upscale it without doing any additional mods. If you want to skin something like this, foam the interior and skin with monokote perhaps?

 

[BuiltFromTrash]

If you put TRF in the search function for Pemberton it finds it and add to card is enabled:
https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/trf-logo-rocket/


Steve Shannon

AWESOME! Now on my wish list...

 

[FerdBerful]

There was a kit released of TRF's rocket. It was released by Pem-Tec : https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/. I don't think it is sold anymore if it ever was. But I know some frequent people around here have it or know about it. They might give some insight on this.
What your talking about is BIG in comparison. Yea it can be done, I would research some RC airplane forums first, they do this all the time for big models.

^^^ Well RavenX gave you the short version of my post. I wonder if they are still being sold?

Thanks. I saw one of these at a rocket launch a while back. I think it was a "Bucky Jones - Space Cadet"

That's definitely the neighborhood I'm aiming for.

 

[FerdBerful]

I sounds like you want something like this with a thin wood skin on it: https://www.rocketarium.com/Rockets/Mega-Rebel?cPath=111&

Cool kit. It might be good to get one (at the very least as an example of wood construction.)

 

[FerdBerful]

Your project is a lot bigger, but this may give you some inspiration:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=35524

Thanks. Cool thread.

All these references are good for getting my design think-y going.

For example, the idea of little teardrops on the ends of the fins is both classic
and practical.

 

[FerdBerful]

I got an email from a friend pointing out some potential problems.

So I used a little "The Gimp"-foo to create sketch-on-napkin 2.0:
(I stretched it in the vertical direction.)



This is all very rough, at this point. I realized (duh) it's probably
a good idea to make as small prototype fist. (Don't want to hit someone
with a big rocket if I don't have to.)

 

[bill_s]

Sounds like a boat building method of construction. I'm working on something similar, more a bomb shape though, nose cone directly into a long tapering transition, straight conical instead. Lotsa cardboard.

I saw this one fly, can't remember if it was on I motor or even larger. Was largest motor ever flown on the HOVAR field. Nose cone of laminated 2x4's!. Launched off a 3/8" or 1/2" rod through the body.

Cats in Space:
View attachment 246538

Found his thread: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...o-rocket)-Flies-at-last!&highlight=cats+space

 

[cherokeej]

Does what you seek look anything like this?

https://publicmissiles.com/images/lillunamark&robsmall.jpg

 

[jd2cylman]

Does what you seek look anything like this?

https://publicmissiles.com/images/lillunamark&robsmall.jpg

I built one of those. EVERY time I flew it it broke pods off the fins OR broke the fin off at the pods. I upgraded the chute to the biggest I could fit in the 3" stuffer tube and still had issues. It's laying in a pile in my basement. Fins were WAY too thin IMHO. Cool rocket, but a pain to fly. Good luck!

 

[FerdBerful]

Sounds like a boat building method of construction. I'm working on something similar, more a bomb shape though, nose cone directly into a long tapering transition, straight conical instead. Lotsa cardboard.

I saw this one fly, can't remember if it was on I motor or even larger. Was largest motor ever flown on the HOVAR field. Nose cone of laminated 2x4's!. Launched off a 3/8" or 1/2" rod through the body.

Cats in Space:
View attachment 246538

Found his thread: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...o-rocket)-Flies-at-last!&highlight=cats+space

Very cool rocket! Thanks for the pointers.

 

[manixFan]

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html

and

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/387450374168796998/

known as 'the rocket formerly known as Black':

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html


Tony

 

[FerdBerful]

Does what you seek look anything like this?

https://publicmissiles.com/images/lillunamark&robsmall.jpg

Yes, very similar. Thanks for the link.

(Is that you James?)

 

[FerdBerful]

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html

and

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/387450374168796998/

known as 'the rocket formerly known as Black':

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html


Tony

So many cool retro-look rockets. Thanks.

 

[OverTheTop]

Have a look at this build of the Tin Tin rocket:
https://forum.ausrocketry.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5486








You might be able to get something from the build technique that applies to your rocket.

 

[FerdBerful]

Have a look at this build of the Tin Tin rocket:
https://forum.ausrocketry.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5486



You might be able to get something from the build technique that applies to your rocket.

Great link. Thanks.

 

[cherokeej]

Yes, very similar. Thanks for the link.

(Is that you James?)

Whatcha been up to, Peter? :wink:

 

[AdAstraPerAspera]

Have a look at this build of the Tin Tin rocket:
https://forum.ausrocketry.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5486

View attachment 314202

View attachment 314203

View attachment 314205


You might be able to get something from the build technique that applies to your rocket.

Okay, that's really big, and really cool, but I'm not sure those Aussies understand the meaning of the word "upscale"...

Plus, I'm not sure that will help the OP with non-fiberglass construction techniques, as there was talk in that thread of a filament winder!?!

 

[Todderbert]

I remember this one just coming out. Similar in a way, with the porthole windows.

 

[dr wogz]

Probably in the archives somewhere, but there was a build thread of a short stumpy rocket that was alter called " the rocket formally know as {I forget..}" as it was the visualization of a company logo. They (the company) came after him with a 'cease & desist' letter, so he changed the name to "formally known as.." it was similar to what you want.. all carved foam & 'epoxy panty hose' construction

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html

 

[NateLowrie]

Probably in the archives somewhere, but there was a build thread of a short stumpy rocket that was alter called " the rocket formally know as {I forget..}" as it was the visualization of a company logo. They (the company) came after him with a 'cease & desist' letter, so he changed the name to "formally known as.." it was similar to what you want.. all carved foam & 'epoxy panty hose' construction

https://www.rocketreviews.com/--the-rocket-formerly-known-as-1717.html

https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/design-threads/19683-rocket-formerly-known-black-aka-rfkab.html

That would be the Vatsaas brothers. They had some of the coolest rockets and one of the best rocketry sites out there. The site is no longer active, but you can view it in the Wayback Machine. Here's the 2011 version: https://web.archive.org/web/2012040...aas.org/rtv/arsenal/bradrocs/black/black.aspx I would check out the construction section as it has everything you could ever want to know about building odd shaped rockets. I would also save the info locally while you still can.

 

[OverTheTop]

Plus, I'm not sure that will help the OP with non-fiberglass construction techniques, as there was talk in that thread of a filament winder!?!

The thread was pointed as as being in that style of rocket, and with some constructions techniques that may be useful. The rocket was built with hand layup (not filament wound, yet, anyway!) of fiberglass over shaped foam IIRC. Not a very difficult method, even if you are new to the F/G arena.

 

[OverTheTop]

Okay, that's really big, and really cool, but I'm not sure those Aussies understand the meaning of the word "upscale"...

Here is our take (down here in Oz ) on an upscale on the Estes V2:

 

[FerdBerful]

Whatcha been up to, Peter? :wink:

Level 2.9 MadCow Super DX3: No Fiberglass, No Carbon Fiber, no sweat ...
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showt...er-DX3-No-Fiberglass-No-Carbon-Fiber-no-sweat

Well, and I've started my L3 rocket build. Black Rock 2017 or bust (Black Rock and bust(?))

 

[FerdBerful]

Here is our take (down here in Oz ) on an upscale on the Estes V2:
View attachment 314284

Holly ... Sh ... shoot! Unbelievable. Is that one-to-one?