dragon_rider10
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- Dec 9, 2009
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Working on a concept for a helicopter recovery rocket. It was suggested to me that I post this. The original "XH-1" was designed for a night launch, so I wasn't concerned so much about making it pretty. It's ugly as sin, but worked well. Its 'blades' were fashioned out of drinking straws, which held glow sticks. They were attached to the rocket near the fins, hinged with a top secret material (ok since you are curious, Breathe-right nose strips, which have a perfect spring inside).
The nose cone, and attached dixie-cup, held the blades in place for boost. At the ejection event, the cone and the cup separate from the tube, which deploys the blades. The rocket flips over and helicopters down beautifully. It was cool to see at night, but I haven't got any photos of it. (which is fine because the glow in the dark paint i used was horrible and it looks better unfinished.)
I tried to recreate this system in another rocket (XH-2 obviously), a better looking one with basswood blades, but I need a better hinge material. I tried cardboard reinforced with nomex (nothing significant about the choice of material happened to have some laying around.)
Any suggestions? Has anyone tried a configuration like this before? It has already been suggested that the blades need to be wider.
The nose cone, and attached dixie-cup, held the blades in place for boost. At the ejection event, the cone and the cup separate from the tube, which deploys the blades. The rocket flips over and helicopters down beautifully. It was cool to see at night, but I haven't got any photos of it. (which is fine because the glow in the dark paint i used was horrible and it looks better unfinished.)
I tried to recreate this system in another rocket (XH-2 obviously), a better looking one with basswood blades, but I need a better hinge material. I tried cardboard reinforced with nomex (nothing significant about the choice of material happened to have some laying around.)
Any suggestions? Has anyone tried a configuration like this before? It has already been suggested that the blades need to be wider.