Goonies

[kuririn]

When the tack joints dried launch lug was attached and fillets were run.


This is left to dry overnight.
TBC.

 

[kuririn]

After fillets dried recovery gear was assembled.


And assembly is complete!


Will update with a group shot of the finished set in a couple of weeks (I promise).

Meanwhile while rummaging through my build pile(s) last night I found a couple of bagged parts/instructions. While they are not part of the original Estes Goonybirds they do fit the genre:
1. Excelsior Rockets Kram: This is a goony version of the Estes Astron Mark II. Plan pack includes parts list, decals and instructions. Kitbashed from a Baby Bertha.
2. Semroc Li'l Ivan (clone): This is a retro repro of the Centuri Li'l Ivan. This is clearly a Centuri response to the Estes Goonybirds, complete with over the top decals from the Cold War era.

Will be adding these builds to the thread.

TBC

 

[GlenP]

These are really cool, looking good.

Only suggestion I have is maybe a little anti-zipper patch of paper or tape on the Kevlar near the edge of the body tube, but these should probably be easy to get the chute to pop at pretty slow speeds and not much to worry about zippering.

 

[kuririn]

Thanks Glen, got it covered.


These plus a CA wipe around the lip of the tube should do it.

 

[markschnell]

2. Semroc Li'l Ivan (clone): This is a retro repro of the Centuri Li'l Ivan. This is clearly a Centuri response to the Estes Goonybirds, complete with over the top decals from the Cold War era.

I love my Li'l Ivan from Semroc. That decal is so cool! It's a great flier too. I've got an upscale nosecone to make a Bt-80 version too. I just need to get the decals for it. Hopefully Sandman will open back up and I can get one made up.

 

[markschnell]

I've been building the Gooneys during the Lockdown too. I've only done three, though, the ones I had when I was a kid. Galaxy Guppy, Zoom Broom, and Cloud Jumper. I also finished up my Semroc Snake Jumper too.

 

[kuririn]

#7 - Excelsior Rocketry Kram

As mentioned this is a goony version of the Estes Astron Mark II
Parts:


Parts from a Baby Bertha kit
18mm motor mount
Fins traced from supplied pattern onto 3/32" balsa stock.
Like the Mark II, separation will be mid-point with streamer recovery.
Need to find or make a BT-60 coupler.
TBC

 

[kuririn]

I've been building the Gooneys during the Lockdown too. I've only done three, though, the ones I had when I was a kid. Galaxy Guppy, Zoom Broom, and Cloud Jumper. I also finished up my Semroc Snake Jumper too.

Goonys and Groonies are a kick aren't they?
Ordered the parts today to clone the Snake Jumper and Saki.
Saki decals are no longer available, will have to improvise.
Cheers.

 

[kuririn]

The motor mount is assembled and left to dry.


I found the coupler. Apparently when I was bagging the parts eons ago I put it in the body tube.
So the Baby Bertha 7.5" body tube is cut into two tubes, 3.5" and 4".
The coupler is glued into the longer tube.
The dried motor mount is glued in also.
Fins are traced from the template and cut out.
Used a jig and glued them to the fin can.

TBC

 

[kuririn]

Launch lug was glued on and everything was filleted.
Cut and shortened base of nose cone and glued it into the upper tube.
Streamer is attached to a loop on the shock cord and shock cord is attached to the rocket with two tri-fold mounts.


I used Dura Lar streamer material. Highly visible and reflective.
Also doubles as simulated corrugations on smaller scale models like the MA and LJ II in ant scale..
It's a good idea to put a coat of glue over the tri-fold anchor. The spot where the shock cord comes out of the anchor is subject to a lot of wear and tear.

So assembly of the Kram is complete.


18mm power, and quite a bit bigger than the original Goonies.
On to the final build.
TBC

 

[markschnell]

Two questions: Where can I get one of those fins jigs and same question with the streamer material.

 

[Cape Byron]

Qualman Rocketry makes the fin guides:

https://www.qualmanrocketry.com/Fin_Guides.html
No idea about the streamer material.

 

[kuririn]

ASP has Dura Lar streamers:
https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/Silver-Dura-Lar-Streamer-Material.cfm?cat_id=47But I cannot find the ones with the corrugations. My roll was purchased eons ago.

 

[markschnell]

Thanks, fin guides ordered and on the way!

 

[GlenP]

I have been using bird repellent tape, the kind I got is not listed anymore, it was red on one side and silver on the other. It lasts a long time. Similar to this one

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bird-X-Irri-Tape-Bird-Repellent-Ribbon-TAPE-100/202347262

 

[Saluki]

Would you classify this model to be Goonie?
https://ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/88est046.html

 

[neil_w]

Would you classify this model to be Goonie?
https://ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/88est046.html

There are three models on that page, none are Goonie. Which one did you think seemed Goonie-ish?

 

[Saluki]

The X-15.

 

[kuririn]

The X-15.

Stumpier than true scale but for a real goony X-15 check out hcmbanjo's build here:
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/search?q=goony+X-15

 

[neil_w]

Ya know you're right, that is kind of stubby. I don't know what the story is about that model. Estes called it "sport scale" in the catalog, but it sure doesn't look it...

 

[Saluki]

Here's another one that I think is a goonie.

 

[Saluki]

And another one.
https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes/jetliner.htm

 

[markschnell]

That X-15 is very goony-fied. It's stumpy and based on a BT-60. I've got one here. Let me post a pic.

 

[markschnell]

I think a true goony has to have the same nosecone. I totally think that old space shuttle and the jetliner could be called goonys.

 

[markschnell]

I have been using bird repellent tape, the kind I got is not listed anymore, it was red on one side and silver on the other. It lasts a long time. Similar to this one

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bird-X-Irri-Tape-Bird-Repellent-Ribbon-TAPE-100/202347262

I see the roll is 100 feet long. That'd do a lot of rockets.

 

[markschnell]

Here's that X-15. I didn't build this. It came in an old lot I bought a while back.

 

[Saluki]

Here's a place to get goonies markings. https://stickershock23.com/?s=Goonies&post_type=product&type_aws=true
I'm thinking about making a Vac-U-Form of that X-15 canopy.

 

[markschnell]

I'm thinking about making a Vac-U-Form of that X-15 canopy.

I just sent you private message

 

[kuririn]

#8 - Semroc Li'l Ivan (clone)
This will be a quick build.
Parts

Instructions from the old Semroc website.
Laser cut fins and decal from erockets.
Body tube, nose cone and shock cord from an Estes Jetliner kit.
Chute will be replaced with a streamer
13mm motor tube, engine hook, and centering rings will be replaced with 18 mm parts from my stash.


Assembled the motor mount


While that was drying marked and extended fin lines and glued fins on with the jig.


Will let that dry overnight.
TBC

 

[kuririn]

Launch lug attached, fillets were run.


Since this is an 18mm mount, I added the Jetliner's clay weight and foamed it in.
No clay weight in stock instructions, but an added margin of stability if I put in a D.
Just kidding.

BTW there is a discussion on YORF about new Q-Jets in the works using White Lightening propellant.
C15 and D20 I believe.

The recovery gear is assembled


Close-up of my SOP streamer attachment. I use grommets rather than tape.
No worries about the streamer coming off mid flight as with tape.


And Li'l Ivan assembly is done.


As mentioned, group shot of the finished rockets in about a couple of weeks.
Cheers.