I finally got to launch also

[Bone Daddy]

I've been wanting to fly this one for a while. This is its 3rd iteration. This one adds the payload section. It finally looks like I've been seeing it in my mind.

I actually finished and painted the payload section. The body still only has a light coat of flat white. It was always seen as a protoype. It's time to just paint it and let sleeping dogs lie. The previous iterations had 8 flights under their collective belts. It had a balsa nose cone and need a bit of weight to keep it from swishing too much on its way up. The payload section eliminated the need for weight up front.

The last version flew well on a B6-4 and a C6-3. An A8-3 left it underpowered. I flew it today on a B6-4 and it was very nice, actually higher than the old one. I was going to try an A8-3, but it started to rain.

The big thing for me is that I flew it without a shock cord. Fortuitously, I was fresh out of thin diameter shock cord and I remembered reading in the Good Book that Mr. Stine mentioned using kite string for a shock cord. So I tied on another piece of Kevlar thread giving me about 3x rocket length. It worked great. 12" chute with a big spill hole, perfect recovery.

I really like this approach. This merits more research.

 

[RangerStl]

Looks good! The payload section does add a balancing element to the design, both visually as well as gravitationally.

There are just not enough side-pod designs out there in the mass market.

-N

 

[RocketsNorth]

Very Nice Rocket
Excellent designs and look. :clap:

 

[Scotty Dog]

Thats a cool rocket. If rain stays south tomorow Ill be launching again. Scotty Dog

 

[Bone Daddy]

Thank you. Unfortunately it looks better from a distance.

The booster pod idea came from something I saw on the web where the guy was apologizing for flat balsa on cut tube rather then turning balsa and shaping. I think it was a Russian missile but the slanted edges faced out. I thought it looked great and have used it on 4 rockets and one being built. So easy, but so cool.

I'm tempted to cut the fins a bit shorter. The fins used to be triangular. Next step may be to cut another1/4" off. Hmmm no time like the present. That's better. Time to put a coat of paint on this thing.

I'm really curious if it would fly without fins. Would the pods serve as fins?

 

[ScrapDaddy]

Pod Stabilization tends to be a gamble, although used on military spacecraft for years, pod stabilization is young to most design software, the string test wont work. pods move the cp back but only so much:dark:

 

[Bone Daddy]

Finished painting.

Launched on an A8-3. Not much altitude, but a good you're not going to lose it flight.

Launched on a B6-4. This is a well matched motor. Used a streamer instead of a parachute. The darn thing landed on an 8" wide concrete strip put in to set a fence in. Two fins broke off. Easily fixed. She'll be ready to fly Saturday on a C6-3 at the monthly DARS launch.

I hope everyone has a great day and happy flying.

BD