Originally posted by limd21
Well, if I had the luxury of using an 18" chute with this model, I'd agree, but I don't. A small field (typical for me) sometimes requires a smaller chute - here in Colorado, flying in windy conditions is normal. Also, hard packed landing areas are also common, as drought conditions are more typical than not. All this adds up to needing a smaller chute and stronger fins.
I don't unecessarily overbuild and value lightweight engineering as much as the next guy. Through decades of LPR flying, I've got lot's of empirical evidence of what is overbuilding and what is building for proper durability and performance given a certain set of flying conditions.
Since we all fly in basically the same general conditions and others of us have been flying for more than a few decades, we'll let those parts of the post go understanding that Many of us fly from very small fields. I fly in a mountain valley postage stamp size park with the valley giving a wind tunnel effect, add in trees, bolders, exposed farm land bare earth, sometimes soft freshly plowed, or hard packed clay like a brickat others. If the W--- gods aren't in our favor we may have to land on a side road, paved parking lot or even in a pond every once in a while, Flying the field is always a challange
An 18" chute was sited as that is the size supplied with the kit and recommended by the manufacturer. I've flown the DRM pictured on as small as a 9" chute depending on field & weather conditions.
Unless your flying in a gravel pit overbuilding this model just isn't necessary and will contrubute to fin damage problems. Empirical evidence may very well be tainted by an unconscious trend toward overbuilding, I know I have to fight the tendency all the time. As mentioned before laminating with tissue or tracing paper isn't a bad idea, copier or printer paper can work but adds additional unnecessary weight without adding strength to the laminate. In any case or combination, it's just not necessary for this model's "normal flying life" or really for most model rockets.
Fly the field: If your flying on a windy day over the salt flats, where the model may make a hard landing and/or be dragged over that sandpaper surface by the wind, some edge protection may be in order. Otherwise aside from good fillets this model needs only be assembled as designed. I'll refer back to the self- forefilling part, the more weight added in the building the more likely a lower fin tip well be damaged on landing. Not faulting anyone's buidling preferece here just trying to remind the younger builders that Overbuiding, adding excessive amounts of anything to the model will speed its demise, not necessarily extend its usable flying life.
Like sandman said Scott, I'd use the 3/32" just to tick the nay-
sayers off. Build and paint your models to what YOU want to see, Don't be limited by others or the package panel paint job
I love my Der Camo Max's, I even have a DRM with 4 fins, a mistake but with the heck, more room for decals.. Enjoy what your building!
