A
Austin
Well, my son and I finally decided to assemble the 9" version of the OOP Estes R2D2 kit Ken Parker had aquired for me several months back. I already had two of the "A" sized models and two of the 8" rear ejection models, but this one was a kit and was just screaming at me to be assembled. I decided to add a mod one of our club members had done to his, which was modify it for a 24mm mount. I have seen his fly on E18's and F24's and it is an ANIMAL!!! I just had to do it!
I started by discarding the 18mm "C" motor mount and added a 24mm motor mount I had in my stock. The centering rings were modified to take the new motor mount and the unit was assembled. One other modification I made to it was the parachute system. I have never been satisfied with the Estes chutes, so I designed it to take a larger nylon parachute by lowering the upper CR, hence deepening the well for the chute. This will slow the decent rate down so the plastic fins will not break on landing and it should also add some nose weight, which was needed anyway. I also added about 4 feet of Kevlar thread for an extended shockcord. Additionally, I used Epoxy for most of the build to add strength and a bit of weight, and this thing is still light as a feather.
My first launch will be next week at our HPR launch on an E18W and it should be pretty awesome...Launch pics will be posted! Here are the Mods I made; it's complete minus some painting on the nosecone/head section:
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw1.jpg">The Parts<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw2.jpg">Old and New Motor Mount<br>
</a><a href="reviews/r2d2/sw3.jpg">Stop Ring Glued in Motor Mount<br></a><a href="reviews/r2d2/sw4.jpg"><br>Retainer Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw5.jpg">Modified Centering Rings<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw6.jpg">First Centering Ring Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw7.jpg">Top View of First CR<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw8.jpg">Both CR's On, Drilling Shockcord Hole<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw9.jpg">Rear CR Measurement<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swa.jpg">Kevlar Thread Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swb.jpg">Motor Mount Assembly Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swc.jpg">Gluing on the "Arms"<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swd.jpg">Nosecone Plate<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swe.jpg">Fins Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swf.jpg">Finished, Minus some Paint<br></a>
I plan on doing a review for Nick once it flies.
Carl
I started by discarding the 18mm "C" motor mount and added a 24mm motor mount I had in my stock. The centering rings were modified to take the new motor mount and the unit was assembled. One other modification I made to it was the parachute system. I have never been satisfied with the Estes chutes, so I designed it to take a larger nylon parachute by lowering the upper CR, hence deepening the well for the chute. This will slow the decent rate down so the plastic fins will not break on landing and it should also add some nose weight, which was needed anyway. I also added about 4 feet of Kevlar thread for an extended shockcord. Additionally, I used Epoxy for most of the build to add strength and a bit of weight, and this thing is still light as a feather.
My first launch will be next week at our HPR launch on an E18W and it should be pretty awesome...Launch pics will be posted! Here are the Mods I made; it's complete minus some painting on the nosecone/head section:
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw1.jpg">The Parts<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw2.jpg">Old and New Motor Mount<br>
</a><a href="reviews/r2d2/sw3.jpg">Stop Ring Glued in Motor Mount<br></a><a href="reviews/r2d2/sw4.jpg"><br>Retainer Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw5.jpg">Modified Centering Rings<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw6.jpg">First Centering Ring Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw7.jpg">Top View of First CR<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw8.jpg">Both CR's On, Drilling Shockcord Hole<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/sw9.jpg">Rear CR Measurement<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swa.jpg">Kevlar Thread Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swb.jpg">Motor Mount Assembly Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swc.jpg">Gluing on the "Arms"<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swd.jpg">Nosecone Plate<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swe.jpg">Fins Installed<br></a>
<a href="reviews/r2d2/swf.jpg">Finished, Minus some Paint<br></a>
I plan on doing a review for Nick once it flies.
Carl