Estes Mercury Atlas Build

[bguffer]

Started over 2 years ago:
https://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=34554&highlight=mercury+atlas

Finally finished:
[youtube]BeAGtL3lWB4[/youtube]

If anyone knows where center of gravity should fall, let me know. I cannot find any info online for Mercury Atlas, and mine weights in at 12 ounces vs the stock built 8 ounces.

Bob

 

[bguffer]

Finally launched it. F12J-3. Went straight up.
[youtube]7kCnER010VQ[/youtube]

CG was at 22.25 from tip of the aerodynamic spike.

 

[tibadoe]

That was cool.

 

[luke strawwalker]

Hey that's a NEAT way to do a build thread... Too bad I don't have the skills for it...

Nice liftoff shot too... any tracking vids of the flight??

Nice rocket! KUTGW!! OL JR

 

[GlennW]

Having built and flown the Merc Atlas, I can say it's an impressive looking rocket that delivers awesome slow liftoffs and great flights on a D12-3. It is a bit challenging, especially having to hand cut all those chrome strips to fit, but well worth it. If you can get your hands on one I recommend it!

Glenn

 

[bguffer]

[youtube]AAWO5Z1w194[/youtube]

Recovered with only one chute, an 20" Aerotech parachute, and 10' of shock chord. Broke both fins off of one fin pod, when it landed on soft plowed field. I had dropped the capsule months earlier, breaking off the aerodynamic spike. So launched without the spike. All scale pieces remained intact.

 

[bguffer]

Trying to attach RockSim file. Mine weighed 12 oz, and that should be the amount of weight entered into the mass override tab.

View attachment EstesMercuryAtlas.rkt

 

[snuggles]

Great video of the Merc Atlas.
I was looking through my hardware store the other day and came across a product that may give scale models that"ready to launch "look.
Most launch vehicles have an ice coating on them from the LOX.
I found a spray snow product one would put on a window to simulate frost.
Has anyone tried this on an Atlas???
Seems to me that it would look good.
Thoughts???
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays etc.
MarkT

 

[vjp]

Great video of the Merc Atlas.
I was looking through my hardware store the other day and came across a product that may give scale models that"ready to launch "look.
Most launch vehicles have an ice coating on them from the LOX.
I found a spray snow product one would put on a window to simulate frost.
Has anyone tried this on an Atlas???

To apply "frost", I would recommend Krylon white primer, sprayed from a sufficient distance to attain a rough finish.

 

[snuggles]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. This stuff was made to spray on glass to make it frosty.
I'll test on a scrap tube first.
PS I worked at a label shop a while back and they use a chrome product made by Fasson for labeling purposes.
They gave me a hunk that was too small to use on the printers.
I've had it for over 10 years.
Used it on a LOT of rockets.
Which reminds me... need to get more.
My 2 cents....
Mark T

 

[Fred22]

Your mercury atlas look awesome and the videos were great thanks
Cheers
fred

 

[RocketT.Coyote]

Mine is done up for the Faith 7 flight and only flown twice. Once on a D12-3 and once on an Aerotech E15-4W. Fin damage on both flights.

 

[Fred22]

I have had fin damge on most of my flights as well.
Cheers
Fred

 

[bguffer]

Thanks for all the complements.

I had some questions via pm. Thought i would answer them here for everyone to see.

>1) What type of bonding did you use for the plastics themselves? (i.e. >Testors liquid cement?)
>2) What type of bonding did you use for attaching the plastics and vacuum pieces to the body tube (i.e. Testor contact cement, RC-56, epoxy, etc.?)
>3) What type of primer did you use?
>4) What type of finishing paint(s) did you use?
>5) When all finished, did you spray the entire model with any Krylon Clear Coat?

1) I used Testor's red label liquid cement for plastic models, for the Tower assembly.
2) The wraps/fairings/etc were attached using thick cyanoacrylate (crazy glue). Gaps were filled with Fix-It Epxoy Clay. Rubbing alcohol to smooth out the epoxy clay.
3) Duplicolor white primer.
4) Duplicolor: universal flat black, some shade of silver, some shade of red.
5) Prior to applying monokote-like strips, i clear coated the entire rocket. I did apply decals to the capsule prior to applying monokote-like strips, so the decals on the capsule are protected by clear coat, while the remaining decals are not protected by clear coat.