fins

[bachsta]

what fin designs are best for high attaining altitude flights? (not speed and mach busting. ALTITUDE is the key word here)

 

[rocketsonly]

According to Handbook of Model Rocketry by G. Harry Stine, the clipped delta and elliptical fins have the lowest drag. It says the elliptical fins have about 1% less drag than the clipped delta.

 

[radiO]

examples by any chance?

 

[rocketsonly]

Originally posted by radiO
examples by any chance?

As in pictures? Or real data?

 

[sandman]

Like these fins.

 

[bachsta]

thanks for the info. i think ill make one using the clipped delta. they seem like theyd be a lot easier to make or if i wanted to buy a fin can from https://www.performancerocketry.com/fincans.html the apache style would be better than the concept or nike style right?

 

[powderburner]

Planform shape can make a difference, but don't forget to do a good job airfoiling. These are old threads, but there is useful info buried in there----

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=3989&highlight=fins+taper

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=1797&highlight=fin+shaping