LOC PRECISION 4” V2 “WARRIOR” Prostate Cancer Awareness build log

[JoeFilgas]

If you have OpenRocket 22.02 already, I would try recreating the design in OpenRocket from scratch. If not, install 22.02 and see what results you get.

Thank you I’ll check that out!

 

[JoeFilgas]

I began today’s fun work by carefully removing the upper CR from the TC to allow access to the internal fillet areas. I found by using a screwdriver through the eyelet provided great leverage and was able to easily remove the ring. Next I mixed up a small batch of BSI 30 epoxy w/filler and poured it in to the bottom joint of the lower CR to add extra strength. Then I mixed up a batch (1 pump each) of West Systems epoxy, 206 hardener and 406 colloidal filler to a peanut butter consistency. I made a longer glue stick by gluing two together which then easily reached all the internal filet joints. All internal fillets were made with enough epoxy mixture left open to glue in the top CR. I used the epoxy mixture on the MMT joint because I was afraid the wood glue would grab to fast before I could seat the CR where I wanted to. I then made a wood glue fillet there and mixed up another small batch of BSI 30 epoxy w/406 filler to make the wood to plastic fillet. Finally one more batch of West Systems epoxy with some 406 filler was made and brushed to the inside of the BT. I then slid the BT over the TC shoulder rotating as pushing down to get good glue coverage. I thickened the left over epoxy to fillet consistency and filled in the small top portion of the fins where they meet the BT. The build portion is almost complete. Tomorrow I’ll add the two 1/4” launch lugs and epoxy clay housing. I also still need to do some fillet work in the very rear of the rocket.

 

[JoeFilgas]

After the epoxy set I went ahead and used some bondo glazing putty on the BT to TC seam.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Today I sanded down the BT/TC seam as well as all around the fin roots and bottom in preparation for the epoxy fillets. The pin holes at the bottom of the MMT were filled from the inside with medium CA and then lightly sanded. I made two, 2 inch long launch lugs and glued them to pieces of 2” long 1/8”x1/4 balsa stick for a stand off. When those were dry enough I sanded a bevel into the top of each. Using my 1/2” aluminum angle I drew the launch lug centerline placing them 1/4” into the BT. I used the two step glue method with TB II. A 1/4” aluminum rod was utilized to keep them both in alignment while the glue sets. I’ll be adding Fixit Epoxy Clay fillets to both launch lugs after the wood glue drys completely.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Prostate Cancer Awareness LOC Precision 4” V2 rocket build is basically now complete! I started off today by removing the 1/4” launch lug rod and then mixed up some Fixit Epoxy clay and formed the housings for both launch lugs. Next came masking off the fin can for minimal fin fillets, on a tip from Tim Van Milligan at Apogee Components. I used West Systems epoxy, 206 hardener and 406 colloidal filler to a fairly thick consistency like creamy peanut butter would be. I used a popsicle stick to for each radius and a smaller coffee stick to radius the joints on the very bottom of the rocket. The tape was removed after about an hour and finally a TB II fillet on the bottom MMT / lower CR joint. I’ve got a couple places that need some bondo glazing putty before we do final prep to get the primer on. This is the first time I’ve done epoxy fin fillets and it was pretty easy. I really like the West Systems epoxy with that filler. You can do all the fins at the same time and in this case it was 4 or 8 sides without the epoxy running or dripping. West also sands really easily and much easier than the standard modeling epoxies. Still have to install the recovery system and try Open Rocket sim again so I can determine the motor I need to order. I also still need to add the nose weight.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Sanded down the epoxy fin fillets and shape sanded the epoxy clay housings for the launch lugs today. I then used Bondo auto glazing putty where needed and set aside to dry. One more prep sanding and it will be ready for primer!

 

[Handeman]

This build is going very good, excellent work.

I do wonder why you are going with launch lugs for a 1/4" rod instead of buttons for a 1010 rail. I assume you have already gotten an OK from your club to use the 1/4" rod with 29 & 38mm HPR motors? At our site, our club policy is all HPR have to launch off rails, no rods allowed.

 

[JoeFilgas]

This build is going very good, excellent work.

I do wonder why you are going with launch lugs for a 1/4" rod instead of buttons for a 1010 rail. I assume you have already gotten an OK from your club to use the 1/4" rod with 29 & 38mm HPR motors? At our site, our club policy is all HPR have to launch off rails, no rods allowed.

Thanks! There is no club in my area. For now the launch lugs will utilize 29mm G motors on the Newton low end because where I launch is not that big of a space surrounded by trees. I have no intentions of flying more than about 400-500 feet. I’m also not looking to certify for level one either anytime soon. I’m getting a mantis launcher for all my rockets including this one again on a weak 29mm motor. Additionally I don’t have a rail launcher as I currently have no need for one. When the day comes I’d like to certify I’ll add a set of rail buttons to the opposite side and am going to design my color/decals around that future possibility.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Completed the final sanding prior to shooting primer today. Our weather has been pretty crappy lately and I wasn’t even planning on shooting primer today, but the sun came out! Yes! First primer session is done. Still have some minor fill work to do and yes more sanding!

 

[JoeFilgas]

After the primer had six hours in climate controlled room I did a little more bondo glazing putty fill work.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Wet sanded first application of primer and glazing putty with 400 grit. Second round of primer application is complete. It’s getting there. I probably will need to do a third round prior to color.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Today I sanded some more. The nose cone is good with the two primer sessions, but the rest needed a little more filler and another session of primer. All of that has been done and a final wet sanding with 400 grit was done. It’s now all ready for the color coat!

 

[JoeFilgas]

The V2 project received its Maui Blue base coat today.

 

[JoeFilgas]

She’s a BEAUTY in Maui Blue! Will be doing a gloss black roll pattern in a week or so weather permitting.

 

[Tim51]

She’s a BEAUTY in Maui Blue! Will be doing a gloss black roll pattern in a week or so weather permitting.

Nice - that blue really pops! I've used a similar blue + ivory white on some of my builds. Some shots of the V2 we have here at the Imperial War Museum. I was there earlier today and remembered your build (I confess I prefer your colour scheme to the green..):

 

[JoeFilgas]

Nice - that blue really pops! I've used a similar blue + ivory white on some of my builds. Some shots of the V2 we have here at the Imperial War Museum. I was there earlier today and remembered your build (I confess I prefer your colour scheme to the green..):
View attachment 616147View attachment 616148

Very cool thank you for sharing these pics!

 

[JoeFilgas]

In preparation for shooting the black roll pattern I decided to try and fix a paint issue on the back of the rocket so I wet sanded down this area and by default the same area will be painted black. I found another small section and began wet sanding before I realized this wouldn’t be covered in black so I stopped. I should be able to pull that back to gloss blue with some polishing compound. Based on the location of the paint repair I lined out the roll pattern with a pencil. The pattern is in halves horizontally and in thirds vertically. I used some construction paper to help get straight lines and a small aluminum angle for the vertical lines on the BT and the lower portion of the nosecone. Then, using low tack masking tape I labeled all the color sections to confirm the pattern was correct plus they will ensure I mask the correct panels.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Well it took over 3 1/2 hours to mask off the V2 WARRIOR’s black roll pattern. All painted and will de-mask in a few hours to see how I did!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Well I’d have to say I’m happy with the black roll pattern on my LOC Precision 4” V2 Rocket “WARRIOR”! Needs a little touch up here and there though. Now it’s on to figuring out decals and put the order into my Bride to turn out an outstanding set of vinyl!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Today I sat down with my Bride and we came up with the multi layer vinyl decal design. Since all decals were to end up on going on the blue areas I didn’t have to wait to install the decals YAY! Formal full reveal a bit later. I also needed to clean up some of the black bleed through and thought the best way to approach was the least aggressive solvent I have which is mineral spirits. I used a Q tip with a small amount of solvent and went to work on several areas. It did the job for the most part. I have a few spots where I need to add some touch up paint. The sanding oops on a blue panel just below the lower launch lug was taken care of to “good enough” status with a little time, some polishing compound, polish and micro fiber towels. This just leaves connecting the recovery system, sanding the nosecone shoulder a bit as it’s currently too tight and getting back on OR to determine and execute nose weight installation.

 

[JoeFilgas]

All but finished the V2 Warrior Rocket project today. Just need to decide how much nose weight to add. I did the minor paint touch up work first and then downloaded the new version of Open Rocket because my simulation file wasn’t working correctly. After installation I ran my file again and it was still a no go. So from scratch I created a brand new file not relying on the conversion of the .rkt file from Apogee. Took a few hours and I think I have my new OR file pretty darn close in the updated OR. It’s now working as it should and allowed me to run various sims under G motor power. The only downside is OR is calling for 13oz. of nose weight which is a lot! I need to find some other builders out there and see what they’ve flown this with. Then I moved on to installing the 3/8” nylon shock cord to the upper centering ring inside the BT. With a 4” tube there’s plenty of room for your hand to maneuver the shock cord loop around. I also installed a 36” long nomex shock cord protector from Sirius Rocketry at the same time. I ran a few wraps of masking tape around the top so it won’t slid up the shock cord on deployment. Next I installed the 10x14 nomex chute protector via two through the sewn eyelet to prevent the blanket from sliding up the cord upon deployment. Next I cut 3’ off the other end of the looped shock cord and attached that to the nose cone eyelet. Both ends of the shock cord were then tied to the metal barrel connect via a triple knot. I also multi-wrapped the tails with masking tape. Finally, I installed the Front Range Rocket Recovery custom Prostate Cancer Awareness 36” parachute to the metal barrel connector. I did have to sand the nose cone shoulder and inside the top portion of the BT (area previously treated with thin CA glue) to get the fit where I wanted it. So all that’s left is the nose weight! It’s been a fantastic build and I will do the official reveal tomorrow. I want to get some outdoor daylight pictures of the project before I share.

 

[JoeFilgas]

I apologize for this being so long, but PLEASE read to the end! Today this Thanksgiving Day 5 years ago in 2018 I revealed to the World I had just underwent a radical prostatectomy surgery (11/06/2018) for Prostate Cancer. Only the evening before, we found out my surgery had been successful and my prostate had clean margins and the lymph nodes they took were free of Cancer. Every 3-6 months thereafter I have gotten ultra-sensitive PSA blood tests done to make sure the Cancer hasn’t returned. The last test I took was this past July and I was still clear thank you God! My next will be around the first of next February. Most of you know I have a passion for building and flying RC model airplanes and more recently rockets. One day not long ago I was on Facebook and a gentlemen was advertising hand sewn rip stop nylon parachutes for model rockets and this one caught my eye because it was all black with two large opposing pink cancer ribbons. His company is Front Range Rocket Recovery. I contacted him and he was able to produce a 36” chute with opposing blue prostate cancer ribbons for a 4” platform so I just needed to find the right rocket. I ordered the chute before I even knew what I was going to build. Upon looking around I chose the 4” LOC Precision V2 as my project. Why the V2? Well for one it’s responsible for everything we have put up in the entire space program. This was German engineering and although quite crude by today’s standards the technology was so far ahead of where we were during WWII. Upon wars end we not only acquired unused rockets we acquired many German Scientists. Ultimately the V2 was a weapon of war…a weapon of death. I chose this rocket to symbolize the death Prostate Cancer wreaks upon men from 28-80 years of age around the world. 30,000 men will have died in the U.S. alone during 2023….that’s a full football stadium of death! Due to all this the V2 was the perfect platform to model. I decided to name it “WARRIOR” because I am a Prostate Cancer Warrior and so are millions of other men around the globe fighting this killer. It also symbolizes my 5 year anniversary of facing a potential death sentence and still being here to continue the fight. Just 2 days ago when my Bride Lorrena was making the awesome multi-layer vinyl decals I hadn’t yet decided on any other design other than the big blue ribbon with the name warrior across it on the banner. This was all Lorrena I just chose the font. Then I decided let’s give the fins the number 5 to signify the anniversary. Then I thought let’s add the word “Years” to that. She quickly produced 4 sets of those. The “5 YEARS” are only on the blue panels of the fins. Another unexpected thing occurred after I had all the decals installed. I’m sitting across the room looking at it as I do with all my projects once complete and noticed something which I chock up to a God thing and that was whatever front angle you are looking at you’ll see 2 of the four “5 YEARS” panels. It says “55 YEARS” which is how old I was when I was first diagnosed and then operated on for Prostate Cancer. That gave me some chills! So today, this Thanksgiving Day 2023 I present my Prostate Cancer Awareness Anniversary V2 Rocket “WARRIOR”! I’m very proud of this build as it carries much meaning, not only to me, but to all afflicted families who might see it. To all the men out there PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE begin PSA blood testing at age 40! If Prostate Cancer runs in your family especially if your father had it start testing at 30! Many Doctors and others don’t seem to care about how many very young men die from this horrible and insidious disease. They’ll tell you it’s a slow disease and most don’t need to worry about it and certainly not until you reach your mid 50s. If you’re doctors holds these opinions RUN FAST and find a competent doctor. A friend of mine once said get your prostate checked before your prostate checks you out for good! If you’ve read this all the way to here you are my warrior for caring enough to do so and I sincerely thank you. One last request, please watch the video of me being interviewed by the local news station in December of 2018…it and this just might save your or a loved one’s life!
ROCKET STATS:
Manufacturer: LOC Precision / Public Missile V2 WARRIOR (33.5” tall 4” Body tube)
MOTOR CAPABILITY: F-I
36” Spill hole Nylon Rip Stop Parachute: Front Range Rocket Recovery
36” Nomex Shock Cord Protector : Top Flight Recovery
38mm Motor retainer and 38mm-29mm motor adapter: Aero Pack
Filler Primer: Iron Armor Automotive
Paint: RustOleum Stops Rust Gloss Enamel
Vinyl Decals: My Bride Lorrena Filgas

VIDEO NOTE: it wouldn’t upload directly so I’ll post a YouTube link below!

 

[86mustang408w]

Very nice job Joe! Congratulations also!!!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Here’s the YouTube link for the video mentioned above! Thanks for watching!

 

[sriegel]

Beautiful build, and especially meaningful. Well done, Sir!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Very nice job Joe! Congratulations also!!!

Beautiful build, and especially meaningful. Well done, Sir!

Thanks so much!!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Very nice job Joe! Congratulations also!!!

Thank you my friend!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Some that may did not make the earlier post. Maybe duplicates sorry.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Sorry for the Turkey pic all! Can’t figure out how to delete, but Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

 

[Wrightme43]

Thank you for the build pictures. I am glad you are still here. My Dad passed from prostate cancer, that spread to his bladder, and kidneys. I have mine checked yearly.

God winks are one of my favorite things. It is always to see others recognize them too.


Steve