Frogglicker's Buck Rogers-Inspired Rocket

[frogglicker]

Disclaimer: First, let me say that I am NOT entering the Buck Roger's Build Challenge. I was on the challenge planning team and I don't want to detract from all the other designs or dissuade anyone from entering. Designing, building, and flying rockets is my passion, and I want to participate. I encourage anyone to join in. This is about trying new things, getting out of your comfort zone, learning from others, and having fun.

I have always wanted to build a cluster rocket (bucket list), but I've been focused on other designs. Working on the planning team for the Buck Rogers Build Challenge got me excited to come up with a design that has the style that would fit into this genre, but is also performant. I elected to start the design on the larger 3-in BT platform and can scale down from there. This version would include 1, 29mm MMT. I also decided to add three nacelles with 24mm MMT.

This is still a work in progress. I'm not happy with the fin config and the nacelle pylons seem a little small/short. I'm going to lengthen them to add more stability. I enjoy the process of creating rockets with 3D printing, so my designs lean in that direction. Here's my first shot at it:


Buck Rogers Cluster - Initial Design


Concept

 

[neil_w]

Yeah I think those pylons are worrisomely small, particularly if you're thinking of putting motors in the pods. It is always an option to use two small ones per pod (see: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/build-thread-nibiru-interceptor.179337/) which looks cool, although it adds challenge to the build and may not be the look you're going for here.

I definitely think it looks better with the nose cones the same color as the body/pods, as in the Photo Studio render.

 

[lr64]

Suggest making the pylons of unobtainium, with some of the fibers oriented diagonally. Or fly it at slow speeds. It looks cool, though.

 

[frogglicker]

I think it would be awesome... until it lights! I don't have to fly it as a cluster, but then what's the point?

I added a pair of pylons to the nacelles and it looks pretty wicked. I also reshaped the fins. It's still a WIP


Buck Rogers Mk1v2

 

[frogglicker]

I took a few minutes and prototyped a fin for the Mk1v2 (see above). I'm going to print it and see how it turns out.


Buck Rogers Mk1v2 Concept Fin

 

[frogglicker]

Now that I see it on the rocket, it feels more like the "Bat-Rocket" versus Buck Rogers (B.R. vs B.R?). I think I'm going to start over and try to come up with something else, but this is too cool looking to scrap.


Buck Rogers Mk1v2 Concept

 

[lr64]

You may need the help of the script writers who kept some versions of the Batplane from fluttering. ;-)

 

[neil_w]

Now that I see it on the rocket, it feels more like the "Bat-Rocket" versus Buck Rogers (B.R. vs B.R?). I think I'm going to start over and try to come up with something else, but this is too cool looking to scrap.

View attachment 674911
Buck Rogers Mk1v2 Concept

It does look a bit batty. I don't think it necessarily needs huge changes to be more Bucky, though.

 

[Capt. Eric]

Now that I see it on the rocket, it feels more like the "Bat-Rocket" versus Buck Rogers (B.R. vs B.R?). I think I'm going to start over and try to come up with something else, but this is too cool looking to scrap.

View attachment 674911
Buck Rogers Mk1v2 Concept

Flip the fins and call it Ming the Merciless' flagship. That's Flash Gordon, but similar genre. Color it anything other than black. Red, gold, orange shades.

 

[frogglicker]

I'm still playing around with the design. I started another revision, playing around with the fincan and I also wanted to add a windshield. Here are a couple of images of my designs. The trick is to keep the fins smaller (weight), oriented to prevent breakage, make it stable, and have enough style to LOOK like something from the genre.

It's still chasing it, but I feel like I'm getting closer. I modeled the nosecone in Fusion, one with and one without rivets. I want to see how they come out. It looks pretty cool.


Buck Rogers Mk2R4





Modeled in Fusion360 with Rivets

 

[BABAR]

Outer pylon motors with small motors and large main motor may not be as much problem as people say.

With a 24mm motor as the main, 13 mm outboards probably wouldn’t be much of an issue.

If main doesn’t light, the outboards probably won’t get it off the pad.

If the main lights, doesn’t matter if outboards light or not.

 

[cwbullet]

Nice!

 

[frogglicker]

I printed a sample of the nosecone last night. The rivets turned out great toward the bottom. They had great definition and were not goopy or weird. Highter up, the rivets start to look mushy and the tip resembles a soft serve ice cream cone. I will be spending som some time getting the cooling/speed config dialed in for this part today. I have a launch tomorrow and have to prep for that since I haven't thrown a rocket August.

I had a dream about the fins, so another revision is coming

 

[BABAR]

I'm still playing around with the design. I started another revision, playing around with the fincan and I also wanted to add a windshield. Here are a couple of images of my designs. The trick is to keep the fins smaller (weight), oriented to prevent breakage, make it stable, and have enough style to LOOK like something from the genre.

It's still chasing it, but I feel like I'm getting closer. I modeled the nosecone in Fusion, one with and one without rivets. I want to see how they come out. It looks pretty cool.

View attachment 675148
Buck Rogers Mk2R4
View attachment 675149View attachment 675147View attachment 675146View attachment 675145

View attachment 675150

View attachment 675154
Modeled in Fusion360 with Rivets

Definitely one of the top 12F4NC designs that I’ve seen!

 

[BABAR]

tip resembles a soft serve ice cream cone.

View attachment 675228

1. You can either lop it off and sand it down.

Or

2. Add a Unicorn vibe theme.

I’d go with 1.

 

[frogglicker]

While the unicorn theme is tempting, I have enough challenges with this build and incorporating Unicorns with retro-futuristic might be pushing it.

I made some adjustments to my cooling setting and reprinted just the top centimeter. It's looking much better. After fine-tuning the settings, I'm doing a final test print and will post the results.

 

[frogglicker]

I think I got it dialed in now. These results are much better. I still have to test <30sec part but the <3sec looks good:

Nosecone Tip Cooling Test


Note to Self

 

[frogglicker]

I have one more fin design to work on... I spent most of the day tweaking this

 

[BABAR]

Now that I see it on the rocket, it feels more like the "Bat-Rocket" versus Buck Rogers (B.R. vs B.R?). I think I'm going to start over and try to come up with something else, but this is too cool looking to scrap.

View attachment 674911
Buck Rogers Mk1v2 Concept

color would be distinguishing feature.
Black = Batman theme

Gold, silver , or most other colors put you in Buck and Flash territory.

 

[frogglicker]

color would be distinguishing feature.
Black = Batman theme

Gold, silver , or most other colors put you in Buck and Flash territory.

I got you... hold my beer

 

[pugachu]

I got you... hold my beer

He might drink it for you

 

[frogglicker]

This is a more simple approach.

 

[frogglicker]

Yes, the gold really makes it move into that style.

:: Now, where'd I put my beer? ::

 

[BABAR]

:: Now, where'd I put my beer? ::

View attachment 675361

Beer? What beer?

 

[tsmith1315]

That's Flash Gordon, but similar genre.

They were the same period, and both roles were even played by Buster Crabbe. 85 years later, the two are all but interchangeable.

 

[Azamiryou]

I have one more fin design to work on... I spent most of the day tweaking this
View attachment 675351

Just one person's opinion, but that feels to me like a 1930s nose cone on a 1970s-80s booster.

I'd like to see some curve on the fins and tailcones on the pods (if they won't have motors). The "bat" fins would probably be fine in gold, either forwards or backwards.

 

[frogglicker]

Just one person's opinion, but that feels to me like a 1930s nose cone on a 1970s-80s booster.

I'd like to see some curve on the fins and tailcones on the pods (if they won't have motors). The "bat" fins would probably be fine in gold, either forwards or backwards.

I completely agree. It just feels off. I'll post some mods tomorrow after the launch. Thank you for the input.

 

[lr64]

The canopy might have more of a pre-WW2 look if it had framing painted on.

 

[Capt. Eric]

Just one person's opinion, but that feels to me like a 1930s nose cone on a 1970s-80s booster.

I'd like to see some curve on the fins and tailcones on the pods (if they won't have motors). The "bat" fins would probably be fine in gold, either forwards or backwards.

Agree with the curves notion. See below "Bucky Jones" from Pemberton.

The multiple, staggered engine nozzles and slanted body tube adds to the effect as well. Landing gear/struts or laser canons too. Not too much or it will become steampunk. And as was said, metallic finishes are nice and "art deco," especially if combined with curves AND geometric patterns and lines:


Not trying to lecture, just give you some inspiration. I hope it helps one or two folks reading this. I like where your design is headed and look forward to seeing where it lands.

 

[frogglicker]

Agree with the curves notion. See below "Bucky Jones" from Pemberton. View attachment 675394

The multiple, staggered engine nozzles and slanted body tube adds to the effect as well. Landing gear/struts or laser canons too. Not too much or it will become steampunk. And as was said, metallic finishes are nice and "art deco," especially if combined with curves AND geometric patterns and lines:
View attachment 675396

Not trying to lecture, just give you some inspiration. I hope it helps one or two folks reading this. I like where your design is headed and look forward to seeing where it lands.

I really appreciate the positive comments and inspiration/help. A bit of nuance (read: Right Brain) is needed for this. I am an engineer without much opportunity to let my "freak" flag fly. I am enjoying this process and appreciate the input!