I am a BAR with no experience with HPR, or even MPR. I have read lots of posts here showing how to mount fins TTW with epoxy, and supported with epoxy fillets. Way back, when building Estes kits, fins were merely glued to the paper tube with Elmer’s glue, and they held on just fine. I am wondering if the reason for the extra security is to keep the fins on: 1) in flight; or; 2) on landing.
Certainly you don’t want the fins shredding off during boost, but if not going supersonic, at what point is fin flutter an issue?
It is also not nice to have fins damaged on landing. But wouldn’t it be nicer to have them pop off in a way that allows an easy field repair rather than having to take it back to the shop for major rocket surgery?
For eons, model airplane guys have attached wings with things like nylon bolts, or even rubber bands, that would break in order to prevent major structural damage in crashes. Such means could be used for rockets too. Or, maybe there is a glue that is strong enough for flight loads, but separates cleanly during a smack down with a failed parachute.
Or, maybe fin breakage is not a problem. Let me know.
Certainly you don’t want the fins shredding off during boost, but if not going supersonic, at what point is fin flutter an issue?
It is also not nice to have fins damaged on landing. But wouldn’t it be nicer to have them pop off in a way that allows an easy field repair rather than having to take it back to the shop for major rocket surgery?
For eons, model airplane guys have attached wings with things like nylon bolts, or even rubber bands, that would break in order to prevent major structural damage in crashes. Such means could be used for rockets too. Or, maybe there is a glue that is strong enough for flight loads, but separates cleanly during a smack down with a failed parachute.
Or, maybe fin breakage is not a problem. Let me know.