Helical Launch Rail - Super Loki

[brianc]

I'm thinking about building several prototypes to scale Super Loki darts.
As I dug into the scale side of things, it occured to me it might be
interesting to try the Helical Launcher too.

Here's a pic-- https://earthlab.meteor.wisc.edu/~hopkins/rockets/rail.gif

Has anyone attempted this type of project before? Any tips
(or warnings) to offer?

TIA. brianc -- BAR

 

[Justy]

Looks like a highly advanced and adjustable fin remover to me.

 

[brianc]

Originally posted by Justy
Looks like a highly advanced and adjustable fin remover to me.

Heh! Maybe in the Estes world...

I'm planning 1/2 scale which will give me a 2" od booster tube and over
5 feet of total height. Needless to say, I'll be using thru the wall epoxied and
probably aircraft spruce reinforced fins.


Here's some better photos I found from an FIT project- this shows a view of
the rails and the spiral twist.

https://www.fit.edu/projects/jamstar/html/superloki_direction.html


The helical launcher should provide not only an interesting scale ground
support project, but also a challenge to the rocket construction.

brianc -- BAR

 

[lalligood]

From one Orlando resident to another, welcome to the forum brianc!

FIT/Jamstar launches out in Palm Bay (just south of Melbourne & little over an hour's drive from Orlando). That's where Spaceport Rocketry Association (SRA) holds their monthly club launches as well. Check out the website (the URL is in my sig) & feel free to email or PM me if you would like more information...