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Since @rfjustin did his pair of flying case L1000s, I've been fantasizing about doing the same thing with the K455 Boost Sustain motor. A while back I got a set of fins from Wildman to do just that and I finally decided it's time to give it a go. With no time to spare, either! This rocket flies this weekend at Friends of Amateur rocketry.
It also serves as a continuation of my JB Weld going supersonic concept that I did with an Aerotech I500T last year (video below). So, all bonding done on this rocket is solely done with JB weld. Fillets are JB weld, too. In addition, there will be no tip-to-tip layup of fiberglass or carbon fiber.
First, I meticulously sanded the fins and motor case with 120 grit sandpaper, cleaned with alcohol, threw on a set of gloves and tacked one of the fins in place with a light dab of CA to keep the fin guides aligned.
After gluing the other three fins in place and allowing them to cure, I broke the fourth fin back off its small CA tack and repeated the sanding and cleaning process before bonding it to the motor case with JB weld as well.
After all the initial bonding was done, I moved on to fillets.
They certainly aren't my best work, but after letting them tack up for about 2.5 hours, I went back in with a gloved finger and some alcohol to gently caress them into the final shape that I wanted.
While those fully cure, here's the I500 project to give you an idea of the concept. This, however, will be pushed a lot harder. RASaero sims to a hair over Mach 1.7 and north of 20,000 feet.
It also serves as a continuation of my JB Weld going supersonic concept that I did with an Aerotech I500T last year (video below). So, all bonding done on this rocket is solely done with JB weld. Fillets are JB weld, too. In addition, there will be no tip-to-tip layup of fiberglass or carbon fiber.
First, I meticulously sanded the fins and motor case with 120 grit sandpaper, cleaned with alcohol, threw on a set of gloves and tacked one of the fins in place with a light dab of CA to keep the fin guides aligned.
After gluing the other three fins in place and allowing them to cure, I broke the fourth fin back off its small CA tack and repeated the sanding and cleaning process before bonding it to the motor case with JB weld as well.
After all the initial bonding was done, I moved on to fillets.
They certainly aren't my best work, but after letting them tack up for about 2.5 hours, I went back in with a gloved finger and some alcohol to gently caress them into the final shape that I wanted.
While those fully cure, here's the I500 project to give you an idea of the concept. This, however, will be pushed a lot harder. RASaero sims to a hair over Mach 1.7 and north of 20,000 feet.
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