4" Der Red Max Clustered

[eugenefl]

Here's a quickie documentation of my scratch upscale 4" Der Red Max project.

Project brief:

3-motor cluster, Central 29mm & 2x 24mm outboards. 3rd personal composite cluster project.

Semi-scale. (The nosecone is slightly out of scale in terms of length and shape, but close enough for me.)

PARTS:

1/4" ply fins
1/4" ply centering rings
ACE nosecone
LOC 4" tubing
Kaplow-style clips for motor retention
Railbuttons from railbuttons.com
29mm LOC MMT tubing
Estes variety 24mm MMT tubing

RECOVERY:

9/16" tubular nylon
1" U-bolt shockcord mounts
36" Nylon LOC chute
Nomex chute heatshield

FINISHING:

Krylon flat White primer
Krylon glossy red and black
Fishing for someone to make decals. I may end up making them myself on laserjet printed waterslide or Avery label paper.

SPECIFICS:

4oz noseweight for stability
Finished weight ~2lbs 6oz
CyA and 2-part 30min Epoxy Construction
Custom cut fin slots.
Custom beveled leading/trailing fin edges

In this first picture I'm using a caliper to check for proper 29mm MMT fitment. I used an Avery label to draw a cluster hole template. Since Forstner bits aren't exact, I had to enlargen the holes with a drum sanding bit. All cuts done with a circle cutter via a drill press. Works great!

 

[eugenefl]

Here's a picture of the fin cutting process. Thanks to Russ2p for loaning me his jigsaw. I find that the jigsaw allows me to cut into corners and angles far better than the RotoZip. Besides, with a jigsaw there is no risk of bit wander.

 

[eugenefl]

Here's the fincan standing next to the original Red Max clone. (BTW, the decals on the Red Max clone were made on Avery paper. Not too great for smaller models as there is a visible transition between decal and airframe.)

In this picture, the fincan is preassembled and tacked in place with CyA. Later, I epoxied all joints and installed the blind T-nuts.

 

[eugenefl]

Here's the business end showing the clips loosely installed and MMT CyAed in place. The smaller Red Max clone is standing next to it for reference.

Note the slightly warped fins. These were a real PITA to straighten out. I ended up leaving the rocket to hang in the opposite direction of the warped fin. After a few nights of hanging off of a ledge, they finally straigtened out.

 

[eugenefl]

...and here's the upscale Red Max preassembled standing next to the Red Max clone. Nice upscale huh?

 

[eugenefl]

Here's the Upscale Red Max posing on the rail for its first flight in primer white.

 

[eugenefl]

Over this past weekend I had the chance to fly the Upscale Red Max on a G80-7T. The boost was FAST and the delay was perfect for this rocket! I'd say it coasted to about 800-1000ft. Russ2p caught it just at the top of the frame. I don't think he was expecting the punch from the G80!

 

[firemanup]

Looks Great..!!!!

Can't wait to see finished pics,

 

[bsexton]

A friend of mine did a similar upscale, but he s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d the airframe a bit to handle electronic dual deployment.

 

[eugenefl]

Ok...the last time I left off on this rocket I had been taking out to the field for "test" flights. I know a G80 puts it up safely. The F40, only its second flight, put it into the ground costing me an ACE nosecone and about 4" of tubing.

Repairs: replaced the cone (obviously). Instead of cutting the top 4" of airframe off, I decided to do something different. I peeled away 1/2 of the tubing which left me with a thin tube. I then coated the rest with 2 layers of 1.5oz glass and epoxy. The end result is a much stronger tube with perhaps a zipperless design built in.

Paint: <insert evil grin here> I just got back from Joe (aka let's fly high) M's shop. Joe is an experienced automotive paint and body specialist and custom car stereo carbon fiber and fiberglass speaker enclosure builder. This guy, my new best friend and local club member, does some fine work. Most, if not all, of his work is custom. I and many of the others in our group have some serious respect for his skills. About a week ago he says "why don't you bring your rockets buy and we'll shoot them with some paint." Uh, OK! Off it went where it received a nice Evercoat "Slick Sand" spray job. The slick sand covered everything. Spirals - GONE, dents - GONE, seam where the tube was repaired - GONE, nosecone flashing - GONE. The 4" DRM now sports a red and black high gloss automotive paint job. Just wait 'til you see this "pig" in person. (Joe calls everything "pig".)

See attached macro shot. At first you might thing you're looking into a mirror.

 

[eugenefl]

The fillets are perfect. The nosecone is perfect. The fin edges and everything else - magnificent.

Joe and I spent the past 2 nights and 3 days working on this rocket. It looks awesome. No more flights on F40s though.

Here's a low res picture of it. Pictures just don't do it justice.

 

[marvSRG]

Dude, that's AWESOME! What a paint job! ...and the guy's a rocketeer! What luck. Great rocket, and I do like the motor mount...

 

Hey! Man after my own heart! I certed L1 with my 4" upscale DRM clone. I attached a pic of mine ripping off the pad on an H-180. The Red Max was always a fave of mine.

Nice paintjob, too! Might I suggest you contact Tom Prestia of Tango Papa Decals to do the decals for you. He did mine in self-stick vinyl, and they were first-class!

Very nice Rocket!

 

Originally posted by asmqajm
Hey! Man after my own heart! I certed L1 with my 4" upscale DRM clone. I attached a pic of mine ripping off the pad on an H-180. The Red Max was always a fave of mine.

Nice paintjob, too! Might I suggest you contact Tom Prestia of Tango Papa Decals to do the decals for you. He did mine in self-stick vinyl, and they were first-class!

Very nice Rocket!

Doh! Attachment didn't take for some reason!

 

[marvSRG]

Nice launch pic bro!

 

[lets fly high]

I can't explain the feeling i get when i'm about to put the paint down on a rocket it's almost spiritual. I had fun painting the to rockets he brought by. eugene also had a hand in spraying some of the peices as well, he handled the spray gun like a pro. can't wait to see the pictures of that (RED PIG) in the air.

 

[Karl]

Thats once sweet looking DRM ! Sorry to hear about the F40 incident , but at least it's better now , thats the main thing.
-Karl

 

[slim_t]

Eugene, I had no idea you had built this beauty, just found the thread. It looks great.
Joe M, outstanding job on the paint and welcome to the forum.

Tim

 

[sandman]

eugene,

That is an unbelievable paint job!!

With all the upscale Der Red Max's on this forum I'm suprised that nobody has restored an old VW beetle and painted it like a Der Red Max.

I'd like to show up at a launch in one of those!

Maybe with a matching trailer to carry all my rockets....hmmmm...that sounds like a project!...a Der Red Max rocket trailer!

Let me check my lumber supply...

sandman

 

[Martin Vrstal]

Eugene.....That is one fine looking paint job bro...maybe I'll start sending my rockets your way.

Sand.....what a concept...a VW with a Max paint scheme.....What an Idea...who'ed a thunk it?

 

[OKTurbo]

A VW bug wouldn't hold enough rockets.....how 'bout a VW Bus.

Or the ultimate Red Max mobile...an old Mercedes UniMog painted up in Red Max colors. THAT would hold a lot of rockets, plus you wouldn't have to be worried about getting stuck out at the launch field.

 

[sandman]

If I recall...a Unimog has a top speed of about 32 mph!

All the launches had better be close by!

You will need a tailer with the beetle.

sandman

 

[Lee Reep]

Originally posted by sandman
eugene,

With all the upscale Der Red Max's on this forum I'm suprised that nobody has restored an old VW beetle and painted it like a Der Red Max.


sandman

My last rocket vehicle was an '87 VW Vanagon 4X4 -- woulda been an awesome vehicle for a Red Max paint job. She blew her engine and tranny all over the street, and I donated her to charity and bought my wife a Caravan.

I wish I would have saved it for me. You could almost walk upright in it, and you could easily sleep two inside with the seats folded flat to make a bed.

 

[wwattles]

A friend had one of those Vanagons back in high school... We took it camping, and once, when it rained so hard our tents flooded, we slept 9 in there (granted, not comfortably)... Love those things...

WW

 

[eugenefl]

Originally posted by Martin Vrstal
Eugene.....That is one fine looking paint job bro...maybe I'll start sending my rockets your way.

Thanks for the compliments guys. Joe M (aka "lets fly high") is a guy with a genuine artisan skill. ALL of his midpower rockets look this good. I did get to handle the paint gun and did do my share of sanding, but Joe took the lead and did a lot of grunt work for me. His finishing tips and techniques would make for a great rocketry workshop. The DRM (and 29mm upscale Deuce) are flawless in every sense of the word.

Marty, I think it's time to have your brother fire up the printer. I'm going to go for the vinyl decals regardless of the original quoted price. Drop me a line if possible. THANKS!

The Der Red Max flew at Whitakers this weekend!!! It flew fantastic too! It's flight was on a central G80-4T with (2) E9-Ps ground started in the other 24mm mounts. Upon ignition you could hear the E9s hiss before the G80. Not a fraction of a second later, the G80 came to pressure and shot the DRM fast off the rail. The G80 burned out while the E9s continued to "smoke". The DRM arced over and the chute popped out just pass apogee. It was a textbook flight in my opinion. Pictures coming soon. (35mm film was used. They'll get developed via 1 hour tomorrow.)

Another DRM flight to come next month at the local club launch.

 

[rock2p]

Glad to hear you didn't go with the F50

Can't wait to see it at our next local launch.

Paint job looks great just from the pics.

 

[eugenefl]

Just wanted to update this old thread - after seeing the Tango Papa article in this month's SPR mag, I took the plunge and ordered decals for this bird. I left a message for Tom around 6:40PM. Business hours are until 7PM. He called me right back around 6:55. Talk about FAST turnaround customer service! I thought for sure I'd wait a day or two! We discussed the "odd" upscale size of the 4" Red Max for a bit and he presented me with some options. It's odd because it's too big for waterslide yet too small for vinyl. I went ahead and opted for vinyl for the simple fact that I didn't want to risk tearing a waterslide. Ah well - I'm looking forward to them arriving. I'll post more pics once they're on the rocket.

 

[eugenefl]

Originally posted by asmqajm
Hey! Man after my own heart! I certed L1 with my 4" upscale DRM clone. I attached a pic of mine ripping off the pad on an H-180. The Red Max was always a fave of mine.

Nice paintjob, too! Might I suggest you contact Tom Prestia of Tango Papa Decals to do the decals for you. He did mine in self-stick vinyl, and they were first-class!

Very nice Rocket!

Just curious, but what delay did you go with on the H180? Any estimate on altitude? I have an H up my sleeve that I'd like to try in it.

As for decals, see previous post. Thanks for the referral.

 

Originally posted by eugenefl
Just curious, but what delay did you go with on the H180? Any estimate on altitude? I have an H up my sleeve that I'd like to try in it.

As for decals, see previous post. Thanks for the referral.

I went with a short delay on the H-180. However, I built my DRM like a Sherman Tank, and it is very heavy @73oz. You may want to consider using a longer delay if yours it lighter. 10 sec delay is perfect when I fly it on H-210R's

 

[eugenefl]

Just a small update on the 5th flight of this rocket - Today the DRM flew on an H165R. The boost is simply awesome and fast on this motor.

The decals will be going on shortly. Joe recommended that I sand down the clear with 600 grit and apply the decals. Once they are on, the DRM will get a new clearcoat.