India's GSLV Mk II F-11 Scale build 1/79.8

[Raptor 2]

Going to try to construct a flying model of India's GeoSatationary Launch Vehicle - GSLV MkII F-11 using AMX paper space modeling wraps increased to 121% . This scale will match tubers I have on hand which come from a number of different product dispensers. Not originally intended to be rocket tubes. The payload nose cone does contain a BT-60 tube. Wraps will be secured to the tubes with double sided tape. The payload BT-60 has two layers of cardboard secured to the exterior to increase the diameter to the correct size for the wrap. the nose cone is constructed of two layers of cardstock and a wood sphere at the top the cardstock and wood sphere are all secured with RC modelers canopy glue. A BT-5 tube runs down the center of the nose cone section from the wood sphere to the bottom where it has a centering ring with plywood backing attached to secure the a screw for the parachute attachment. The BT-5 tube contains a plunger tube which can be inserted into the BT-5. The top end of this plunger tube is stuffed 1ith a 3/4" wad of tissue paper and soaked with CA glue to secure it in place. The plunger tube can be removed and small weights can be added to the top of the nose cone as required to attain stability. The plunger tube secures the weight in the tp end and the bottom is secured with tape to the BT-5 tube

 

[Raptor 2]

Prepped four tubes for side boosters by wrapping an extra layer of cardboard around the tube to make the correct diameter for the amx wraps @ 121%.
Tubes have an interior cardboard sleeve at top and bottom to act a glue shoulders for the transition nose and tail cones. Constructed four nose cones and applied a second layer of cardstock to the interior with canopy glue. Then applied CA glue to the cones. Wood spheres at the top. Applied the AMX wraps to the four side boosters, painted the payload nose cone and added AMX the wrap to the payload bay. Wraps applied using 3M double-sided tape.

 

[Raptor 2]

Made centering rings for the bottom of the boosters and glued them inside the bottom transition shoulders. Constructed the boat tail transitions from cardstock and glued an off center ring to the bottom of each transition for the side canted nozzles. Nozzles are constructed of 28lb. paper rolled into a cone double layered and hardened with CA glue. Nosecones and boat tail transitions were spray painted white. Small side details carved from 1/8"x3/16" basswood painted white, 3/16' dowel with AMX wrap applied. and balsa fins, papered and hardened with CA glue painted white. Nosecone and boat tail and small side cylinders glued with canopy glue. The basswood top end of the small cylinder and the fins were glued with carpenters glue. Fins were filleted with canopy glue. afterwards. Canopy glue dries clear.

 

[ljwilley]

Nice work! Keep us posted!

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed an ejection baffle and reinforced the top and bottom with two extra layers of cardboard to give the end plates more edge to grab with glue. Also installed a wood cross cross member in the bottom top handle the ejection blast. The entire assembly was coated with CA glue and top and bottom plates were secured with epoxy. Constructed the main frame from freezer bag dispenser tubes each 35mm in diameter and 11" long. Had to splice two together requiring a coupler. Constructed a 24mm engine mount with a retainer clip capable of handling Estes E engines. The bottom nozzle of the main frame required constructing two transition cones that had the wide ends facing in opposite directions and still had the engine mount and retainer clip run thru them. tried a mockup with paper first to see how this would work. Once these were constructed and slotted for the clip they were hardened with CA glue.

 

[Raptor 2]

Secured the ejection baffle inside the lower section of the main frame with epoxy and then added the upper tube and coupler. Glued the main frame engine nozzle inplace to the bottom end over the engine retainer clip. Added the wraps to the nozzle transitions with a thin layer of canopy glue. I cut 8 slots 1/8"x 1" in the lower body wrap to secure the 4 boosters later directly to the main frame tube. Then secured the AMX body wraps with 3M double sided tape to the main frame.

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed 8 standoffs from basswood 1/8"x1/8'x1" long hardened with CA and then glued to the main frame with carpenters glue. Once dry they were filleted with Canopy glue. Upper stage details and retros were again made of Basswood and hardened with CA. Retros were colored red and the remainder will be painted white. All were secured with carpenters glue to the main frame. The interiors of the four paper nozzles were filled with tissue paper and Ca was added to secure and harden them in place. This I'm hoping will help prevent damage to the cones on landings.

 

[Raptor 2]

Painted the nozzles silver and the tissue inside black. Secured the nozzles to the side boosters with canopy glue. Secured the four side boosters to the main frame with carpenters glue. Once dry I filleted each connection with canopy glue which dries clear.

 

[Raptor 2]

Added the final details to the side boosters. Each required 6 struts extending to the main frame. Constructed from Q -tips cut at 45 degrees and glued in place with canopy glue. This will also help stabilize the boosters to the main frame laterally. Added the parachute shock cord attachment to the top along with 5' of elastic cord. Model weighs in at 218 gm less the engine and a parachute. Will do a string stability test and add weight as needed to the nose cone. First flight will be with a D12-5 before moving up to E engines.