L1 Build - Madcow Super DX3

[SandiaMan]

Nice builds @Five and @pferg , thanks for sharing and best wishes for cert flights!

 

[Five]

Nice builds @Five and @pferg , thanks for sharing and best wishes for cert flights!
[/QUOTE
Right back atcha

 

[Dan Griffing]

@Dan Griffing is that a DX3 in your avatar? Good tips on router, I have a handheld not a table, so I'll have to think about whether I can make it work. I did a pretty similar process with the table saw but the blade kerf is a bit unwieldy.

 

[Dan Griffing]

No, that was a GoPro shot of my dual deployment-extended Apogee Zephyr on its L2 launch with a J270W.

A month later a motor ejection charge failed on a standard configuration on its third launch of the day and Zephyr turned into a lawn dart from 1792 feet, taking Altimeter3, ChuteRelease, GPS Mini, and Möbius camera with it. It’s remains became a mantle piece to how fickle the rocket gods can be.

 

[Dan Griffing]

The biggest challenge was deciding how to bevel the fins. The fins are 5 layer 1/4" plywood.

The fins look quite similar to the 1/4” plywood fins on my L1 Apogee Zephyr.

I have a router table in my home woodshop and I used a 1/4” round-over bit.

When set correctly, you can make a really nice ogive profile with it along the straight line edges of your fins and it’s much quicker than sanding. But you must start out with 1/4” scrap material until you get the settings figured out, or you’ll ruin your fins.

But realize that this is overkill for an L1 attempt because low and slow are all that’s needed for a successful flight

 

[SandiaMan]

I had a successful L1 flight today on an AT 38mm RMS H-130W. Should have shaved the ejection charge slightly more, but still popped just after apogee.

 

[o1d_dude]

I had a successful L1 flight today on an AT 38mm RMS H-130W. Should have shaved the ejection charge slightly more, but still popped just after apogee.

Excellent!

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?

 

[ridnharley]

Here is my Madcow Super DX3 on the launch pad.
I launched on an I 287 Smoky Sam.
The launch was perfect.

 

[DaHabes]

@mikec how did you set up your ebay on yours? I thought I recalled seeing a dual deployment pic. I'm not doing dual deployment on my L1, but I'd like to be able to on my L2..

I got my L1 with the Super DX3 last fall. Perfect flight on a H219T. I didn't setup an ebay, just used it as a part of the airframe. I put the main in the sustainer and did motor ejection. For my L2 I don't really need an e-bay either. There are L2 folks in my club that did motor ejection and a JLCR. The DX3 will fly to about 4,000 feet on a baby J. The airframe is fairly balanced between the payload and sustainer, meaning you can go drougeless with a JCLR or you can put a small drouge on the sustainer with the main. I plan on messing with the e-bay and dual deploy after I get my L2 as prep for a (maybe) someday L3 attempt.

 

[Five]

I had a successful L1 flight today on an AT 38mm RMS H-130W. Should have shaved the ejection charge slightly more, but still popped just after apogee.

Nice!

 

[fyrechaser]

Graham, congratulations on your L1 cert! Have fun......

 

[Adam3836]

Here is my Madcow Super DX3 on the launch pad.
I launched on an I 287 Smoky Sam.
The launch was perfect.View attachment 431458

great looking

 

[Adam3836]

I had a successful L1 flight today on an AT 38mm RMS H-130W. Should have shaved the ejection charge slightly more, but still popped just after apogee.

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Five]

Passed my L1 with super DX3