Honest John Project

[Albanach]

Well, I am going to start an Honest John rocket 6" build. Going to do this in stages to solve a few builds I have not tried yet and for refinements. I am going to start with a 3" sized one for proof and practice to solve the methods. First on the list is to solve the workspace mess and some other projects along the way.

 

[Albanach]

Ok now it is looking at least usable.

 

[Albanach]

Found this drawing in a couple of locations. I tend to like the scale replicas for the challenge. My 8"/6" Honest John is about 1/4 scale. I would pose the question: Is it better to stick to the original or modify the design enough to make it flyable at scale? The particular issue is with the nose section needing to be lengthened to allow dual deployment.

 

[Albanach]

Poll: What would be the more useful motor size to go with 75mm or 98mm for a 6" rocket?

 

[rfjustin]

Poll: What would be the more useful motor size to go with 75mm or 98mm for a 6" rocket?

98mm, then adapt down as needed.

 

[JohnCoker]

Poll: What would be the more useful motor size to go with 75mm or 98mm for a 6" rocket?

For a general-purpose rocket, 98mm is more "useful" because it can handle both sizes of motors. Even for certification where people plan to use a 75mm motor, many prefer to prefer a larger MMT:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/l3-mmt-choice.175562/

 

[JohnCoker]

Found this drawing in a couple of locations.

Note that there are three different versions (two with the familiar bulbous nose). That diagram is for the M-31 (larger fins), but there is also the M-50. More information and drawings are available in Fourteen US Army Missiles of the Cold War by Peter Alway.

 

[Albanach]

Note that there are three different versions (two with the familiar bulbous nose). That diagram is for the M-31 (larger fins), but there is also the M-50. More information and drawings are available in Fourteen US Army Missiles of the Cold War by Peter Alw

I had found the A version online and set up for that one, then came across your post for the B and purchased the book. From the book, I looked at the C. I am going to stick with the A. I might also build the B propulsion section and use the nose cone to compare performance. Also from the book, I have been putting the drawings into RS for future projects. I have eliminated 4 of the designs as non-flyable.

 

[JohnCoker]

I am going to stick with the A.

Yeah, that fin shape is almost as distinctive as the nose.

I'm working on a 3" (54mm MMT) version of the M-50 as it happens. I'm planning to 3D print the fin can so a more compact shape is preferable. (Plus I already built an M-31 long ago from a kit.)

 

[terryg]

It is kind of mind blowing that 6 years after WW2 there is a field artillary missile capable of delivering a Hiroshima sized atom bomb.

 

[ljwilley]

Nice build! Back in the "now it is looking at least usable" post, what is that fiberglass/carbon fiber rocket sitting on the PVC pipe stand? It looks really cool!!

 

[SkyFire]

Cool project!
Here's my Honest John. Not painted (green fiberglass)

 

[ljwilley]

That skull decal looks like the skull on a Der Red Max rocket.

 

[SkyFire]

Cool project!
Here's my Honest John. Not painted (green fiberglass)
View attachment 592773

Yep! Had a left over!

 

[ljwilley]

I knew it! Big der red max fan, just had to point it out. I am currently working on a build in which I am making a clone of the normal size estes der red max and covering it with carbon fiber. It will be called the Der Carbon Max and it will have a 29mm motor mount. I will probably fly on an F25. All I have right now is the nose cone, so it's not worth it yet, but when I get more parts I will start to post on a new build thread about it.

 

[ljwilley]

Also I didn't mean I'm a fan of the der big red max I meant I'm a big fan of the der red max. Actually don't like the der big red max because all they did is put the bigger one out of production and put into production a slightly smaller one with the same motor mount.

 

[Albanach]

Nice build! Back in the "now it is looking at least usable" post, what is that fiberglass/carbon fiber rocket sitting on the PVC pipe stand? It looks really cool!!

That is the X-4 Ruhrsthal. It flew more like a cruise missile than a rocket.

 

[ljwilley]

Nice!

 

[Albanach]

Well, Master Wildman supplied me with the materials I requested. Is there a rule of thumb for the fillet radius to rocket size?

 

[PhlAsh]

Well, Master Wildman supplied me with the materials I requested. Is there a rule of thumb for the fillet radius to rocket size?

"Don't make it look like @$$" is my usual guideline...

 

[dakota196]

Yep! Had a left over!
View attachment 592776

Sky fire, damn nice collection of warbirds there. Who makes those? Durably?

 

[SkyFire]

Sky fire, damn nice collection of warbirds there. Who makes those? Durably?

Thanks. A variety of companies.

 

[Hobie1dog]

. Is there a rule of thumb for the fillet radius to rocket size?

!/2" is my usual size.

 

[dakota196]

Thanks. A variety of companies.

Nice. I’m still learning! Can’t fly 1:1 scale anymore, so I guess I’ll learn to fly with my feet on the ground

 

[Albanach]

Worked on the nose cone assembly. Got the transition cut down. Will glue up soon.

 

[Albanach]

Got busy on the AV bay and the nose cone.

 

[Albanach]

Finally assembled the launchable rocket. Just a few bulkheads to put in for space considerations.

 

[OzHybrid]

Finally assembled the launchable rocket. Just a few bulkheads to put in for space considerations. View attachment 603989

How long before you can espadrill the baby Honest John branches on the support?

 

[Albanach]

How long before you can espadrill the baby Honest John branches on the support?

Sorry, I don't understand what you're asking.

 

[OzHybrid]

Sorry, I don't understand what you're asking.

In the photo, you have placed it centrally against a frame that is commonly used for making small fruit trees grow flat. The process is called espadrille. A bit like when you have someone in a photo with a tree in the middle of their head.