Experimental fighter build thread

[OverTheTop]

You need to flick this through to the SpaceX social media. Very nice.

 

[BABAR]

You have that right. It's in the same league as the Johnny Star Commander build I did; I flew it exactly once, and now it sits on the shelf looking pretty. This one, I think I may build a second one at some point. It was challenging, but the results were very nice I think.

I tend to think you need to fly it once to prove it is a flying model rocket (static models would be at least somewhat if not markedly easier, weight, CG, CP don’t matter on a Static Model, and obviously you don’t worry about motor mounts and recovery gear.)

after It has flown once, the only other reasons I can see to fly something this nice is for demos or special occasions. You can build a great sport model that flies great, is colorful, and fun and has a 20 foot finish, and not worry about getting dinged up or even lost, that you can fly for kicks until it comes apart. But birds like this, send them up once, cross your fingers, and then stick them in the showcase.

although at the final showdown, the only opinion that matters is yours. Don’t fly it at all, fly it once, or fly it regularly. The only person that needs to be impressed is the builder. (Unless you are @hcmbanjo, in which case you maaaaaaaay need to impress the producer, although your model maaaaay also never fly. I think in one of the Sport Rocketry ‘zines there was an article on one of Estes Master Builders, he said that “back in the day” they always built the show models with basswood because it was easier to finish, so I am guessing they probably didn’t routinely fly the show birds.)

 

[BABAR]

The rocket is done!

I've finally finished up my experimental fighter model rocket. Its now called the Space-X Enforcer class. Briefing follows:

It is 2072. Space-X has established colonies on Mars, Ceres, Titan, and numerous other facilities around the solar system. Space-X is the most powerful corporation in the Solar System, and is the most technologically advanced. As Earth's resources dwindle, the Earth powers begin to mount clandestine raids upon Space-X facilities and shipping to steal resources.

Space-X's CEO, Elon Musk the III demands that something be done about these illegal raids. The response is a new warship, Space-X's first independently built space fighter, the Enforcer class.
It is equipped for long duration flights, can operate in atmosphere, and is well equipped to deal with any opponents. Mounting 6 pulse lasers for missle defense and short range combat, 3 missile bays that can carry a mix of conventional or thermonuclear missiles, and a 6cm nose mounted railgun, it is an tough opponent. It is rumored to be able to carry the new AN-57 Anubis antimatter munition as well.

It is commonly seen escorting Space-X Longships (Estes Longship ), but is also seen in show the flag manuevers at Luna and Earth.

I used Estes Interceptor decals and some of my own. The rocket is 31" long, and flies on Estes D12 and E12 motors, as well as Quest D20-4, and Aerotech D10-5, E20-7 and E30-7 motors.

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This song keeps going through my head, someone talking to the RSO

“please, mister, please
Please launch E-17”

 

[Bill S]

Slick looking bird. Would fit right in to an Atilla Hejja or a Vincent Di Fate sci-fi painting.

Wow, thanks. Never would have thought it was that nice.

 

[Bill S]

Had a successful maiden flight, perfect, on a D12-5, about 500' high. A little spinning as it went up, nice recovery. Its now going to be a shelf queen, rarely flown. I plan to build another one (with ligher balsa this time) and fly that one often.





Video is too large to upload, but its on the Estes Model Rocket group and Model Rocket Fanatics on Facebook.

 

[BABAR]

Congrats!

Now that She has been anointed with l' odeur de soufre She can be properly enthroned as a hanger queen!

https://www.google.com/search?q=tra...j0j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

[Bill S]

Yes, now she is ready to occupy her throne, er shelf spot. I'll be building another one to fly more, thats for sure.

 

[Bill S]

There is now a little brother version, a 25% downscale.

 

[BABAR]

Pics!

 

[OverTheTop]

Nice rocket.

Don't forget to post it to SpaceX social media .

 

[Bill S]

OverTheTop:
I did post about the original rocket on a Space-X fan group on Facebook. Good reception. But I am no longer on social media, as I have found it too toxic and stressful.

 

[Bill S]

 

[Bill S]

I was able to launch both Enforcers today, very light winds, perfect conditions (aside from it being super humid and hot), the larger one on a D12-5, the smaller one on a C6-5, both launches to a bit over 500 feet approx.

 

[lakeroadster]

What a beautiful design. Well done sir. Scratch building is so rewarding!

 

[Bill S]

What a beautiful design. Well done sir. Scratch building is so rewarding!

Thank you. It sure can be.

 

[BABAR]

Congrats on the flights. Hope recovery was equally good!

one of those should now be a hanger queen, in my opinion! Too pretty to fly both more than once.

 

[Bill S]

Both rockets flew perfectly, no damage. The smaller one is to be flown more often, while the large one only comes out when conditions are perfect (rarely).