2.2" Fiberglass Frenzy XL build

[Zertyme]

Recently got a Frenzy XL from https://eurospacetechnology.eu/.
I'm planning on building it with HED instead of the normal dual deployment configuration.



Dry fit: had to sand the fins slots.



Starting off with the motor mount.
Dry fit:


Tacking one of the ring in place.


3M DP490, my go to for fillets


Second forward CR, this one will hold the recovery harness: spliced 4mm Technora T12,

 

[Sandy H.]

That might be 'fillet of the year' as far as I see. Looking forward to more pics of the build!

Sandy.

 

[hball55]

Head end, no wonder it looks different from the Frenzy XL kit I bought from Madcow. Keep on keepin’ on.

 

[Zertyme]

Test fit:





Detail on the harness:
4mm Technora T12, average breaking strength of 1700kg. Spliced on the MMT side with a Brummel lock-splice, and on the other with an integrated softshackle.




Camera/lens shroud:
Molded on my 29mm VK mold

 

[Tim51]

Very nice work (like all your builds!). The HED arrangement makes for eye-pleasing proportions.

 

[Zertyme]

Very nice work (like all your builds!). The HED arrangement makes for eye-pleasing proportions.

Thank you


Fillet on the second forward centering ring with DP490:
Slightly smaller diameter fillet to leave more of the centering ring exposed for the CR/Airframe fillet.

Bonded the Vent band:
Added some blue tape shims to keep the vent band concentric and the bond line thickness constant. A proper bond line controller would have been more suitable.

I'll probably start working on the Fins tomorrow.

 

[mikekebert]

Insanely clean fillets... are you using masking tape, some kind of rounded tool, and alcohol for clean up? I suppose it's more or less the same as a fin fillet, but internal.

 

[Zertyme]

Insanely clean fillets... are you using masking tape, some kind of rounded tool, and alcohol for clean up? I suppose it's more or less the same as a fin fillet, but internal.

My method of choice is magic, it works quite well.

More seriously, yes I mask off the fillets, use the appropriate diameter round tools (usually what I find around), clean up using a utility blade then finish with a paper towel + acetone.

 

[Zertyme]

As of right now, I don't have any clamps, masking tape + CA did the job.

Forgot to mention, but this is my L1 rocket.

 

[Tim51]

As of right now, I don't have any clamps, masking tape + CA did the job.

Forgot to mention, but this is my L1 rocket.

Wow - if this is your L1, how slick is your L3 build going to be?

 

[Zertyme]

Wow - if this is your L1, how slick is your L3 build going to be?

Who knows, I do have a Pro75 and Pro98 6Gxl...



Recovery configuration
Drogue: 12" TopFlight chute, 5m of 4mm kevlar: depending on the winds I may remove the chute for a drogueless recovery.
Main: 36" TopFlight chute, ~4m of 3mm kevlar: ~6m/s touchdown

Electronics:
Main: StratologgerCF running on a 2S 7.4V 220mAh Lipo
Backup: Altimax Simply 2018, also on a 2S 7.4V 220mAh Lipo
Switches: Twist and tape

Planned Flights:
H128: 560m, max 118m/s, 13G (Cert)
H999: 1000m, max 215m/s, 75G
the H242 is also possible instead of the H999 if the weather is meh (800m)


(Split fins are not simulated properly in OR)

 

[Zertyme]

It's highly likely that the launch this weekend will be postponed to next week (rain + 20m/s wind).

 

[Zertyme]

Arrived at the launch site Friday night.
The next day, the weather was perfect: clear sky, low to no wind.

I started prepping the rocket for the deployment test, the charges were contained in nitrile gove tips wrapped in tape.

The first main deployment test attempt didn't pop the cone off so I swapped the shear pins out for smaller ones. 0.6g of powder, a bit violent but: blow it out or blow it up... Drogue deployment was good on the first try.

Prepped the rocket again

Flew straight and true on the H128 (forgot my camera, so no still pictures...):


View attachment L1 flight 1 slowmo.mp4
View attachment L1 flight 1.mov

Perfect drogue deployment at apogee, however the main chute didn't fully open, so no L1. The rocket suffered no damage as the drogue descent rate was already quite low.
The main chute was swapped out for a smaller one and the main deployment altitude increased. The rocket flew again this morning.

View attachment L1 flight 2.mov

Successful L1 flight!

Things to change:
-Swap out or remove the drogue for higher flights
-Change the main chute to a smaller one

It will fly again, one day...

 

[Tim51]

Congratulations and welcome to high power! Impressive to do your L1 cert with dual deployment - I'm glad your second attempt was successful.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

Congrats on your L1! Really nice work on your build.

 

[crossfire]

Congratulations on your L1 flight.

 

[Fattbank64]

Toutes nos félicitations!

 

[gerbs4me]

Congratulations on your L1!! Nice work on the rocket.