MAC BlackFly build thread

[mpitfield]

You don't have to do a deployment bag at all. 55 pounds had been done without one successfully. That was about what my largest project came in at, and I still haven't used one.

I have heard this before and I think there is a misconception when it comes to when or why to use a deployment bag.

There is no minimum size or complexity as to when you would or would not use a deployment bag. It is simply a choice. I use them regularly and if they are used as designed they do a good job of ensuring a reliable deployment. If you are a FruityChute user then just talk to Gene and ask him his opinion.

Having said that, the smallest airframe I have used them in is a 3", but if they were a viable option for a smaller airframe I would use one without hesitation.

 

[AdAstraPerAspera]

Madcow has an 8" 5:1 ogive nosecone I plan on using. It will be the most expensive part of his build, for the airframe at least. The motor is a bit more then it. The tailcone I have been thinking about, and I'm thinking to keep it light so I don't have a giant block of wood on the tail of my rocket, I will make a frame of wood and harvest some cardboard from the leftover body tube and use that to make the tailcone, which would be then be coated in fiberglass cloth. I could also do a balsa build up to make it, with again some fiberglass coating.

Careful. Fiberglass tubes are generally thinner than a glassed Sono tube. And the Sono tube may not have a good ID tolerance either. You might be better off with a custom nose. Have you considered Python Rocketry? I've handled his stuff and it's nice, and probably lighter than filament wound. He could do your tailcone too.

https://www.pythonrocketry.com

 

[rharshberger]

Careful. Fiberglass tubes are generally thinner than a glassed Sono tube. And the Sono tube may not have a good ID tolerance either. You might be better off with a custom nose. Have you considered Python Rocketry? I've handled his stuff and it's nice, and probably lighter than filament wound. He could do your tailcone too.

https://www.pythonrocketry.com

Plus Sono tubes are "nominally" size to the diameter they state, the 8" could be 7.5 to 8.5" OD depending on whether or not its the inner or outer of the nested pair (sonotubes are shipped as nested pairs and both are the "same" diameter), make sure and have the tube before buying a nosecone.

 

[mperegrinefalcon]

Ya, the nosecone is pretty much the last thing I'm going to buy. I already bought the Sano tube. When I got it I made sure they were both the same outer diameter. I'm going to measure their inner diameter when I get home, and I will figure it out from there. I will probably get the NC from Python if the inner diameter doesn't match madcow. Getting the tailcone from python would be very easy and I'll look into it, though I think I could make my own fiberglass part pretty easily with 4 layers of 4oz cloth over some cardboard and another make-shift coupler from some of the leftover sanotube.

 

[CzTeacherMan]

Super Fly is 6" diameter, 75" tall with a 75 mount and weighs 14 lbs. empty. The airframe is BlueTube. It's been amazing to see how the whole BlackFly thing has caught on, and Thanks everyone for the support. The plan is to fly it in June at URRF5 in Potter NY on an "M".

I'll be there... VERY excited to see it fly. Let me know if you need field support, recovery, etc.

 

[CzTeacherMan]

A year after I burnt up my first Black Fly, I finally got around to painting (sort of) the new body. Nosecone is from the original, everything else is "new". Tried a new paint scheme; mostly based on what I had laying around. Maybe I'll fly it at URRF 6 as a redemption flight...

 

[mpitfield]

A year after I burnt up my first Black Fly, I finally got around to painting (sort of) the new body. Nosecone is from the original, everything else is "new". Tried a new paint scheme; mostly based on what I had laying around. Maybe I'll fly it at URRF 6 as a redemption flight...View attachment 386079

I just finished my 4". Unfortunately, I am having issues with the tracker and both altimeters. So far, the manufacturer has ignored my repeated requests for help, so I am left to wonder if they are having more significant issues.

The supplier is trying to help, but it's slow and too late for URRF, which Is where I was hoping to debut the build

 

[CzTeacherMan]

I just finished my 4". Unfortunately, I am having issues with the tracker and both altimeters. So far, the manufacturer has ignored my repeated requests for help, so I am left to wonder if they are having more significant issues.

The supplier is trying to help, but it's slow and too late for URRF, which Is where I was hoping to debut the build

View attachment 386099

That looks great, Mike! Bring it with, we'll get in the air! If needed, you can borrow my Altimeter sled... Either way, I wanna see that in person.

 

[Onebadhawk]

Gorgeous build Mike..
I wouldn't expect anything less..

Teddy

 

[mike2wander]

You guys do realize if you look up BlackFly in the dictionary that you'll find a picture of Mike Pitfield right. Thanks so much for starting the swarm Mike!!

 

[mpitfield]

You guys do realize if you look up BlackFly in the dictionary that you'll find a picture of Mike right. Thanks so much for starting the swarm Mike!!

Mike I have been compared to much worse...I think. Rereading this, there are way too many Mikes.

 

[CzTeacherMan]

Mike I have been compared to much worse...I think. Rereading this, there are way too many Mikes.

A swarm of flies and a swarm of Mikes.
I once knew a guy named Mike Mikes...

 

[mpitfield]

I once knew a guy named Mike Mikes...

Some parents are so crule. I was just talking about naming kids the other day and Frank Zappa came up.

 

[Bobfly]

Mike you should bring your Black Fly to URRF 6 anyway. Everyone will want to see your cool paint job on static display.

All the best,
Bob

 

[mike2wander]

Bob,

I will be bringing my 6" Fly. It will launch on Friday. The 11.4" MENACE 442 will fly on Saturday

 

[spigalau]

Bob,

I will be bringing my 6" Fly. It will launch on Friday. The 11.4" MENACE 442 will fly on Saturday

And this is why Mike drives 2 RV's, one for accommodation & one for projectile storage...

 

[Roy-RoysRockets.com]

I hope Im not kicked out of the cool kids club. Since I never color in the lines and rarely conform to the norm, I didn't start now. I went with Green/copper color shift paint, and chrome letters. What do ya think?

 

[CzTeacherMan]

I hope Im not kicked out of the cool kids club. Since I never color in the lines and rarely conform to the norm, I didn't start now. I went with Green/copper color shift paint, and chrome letters. What do ya think?

That's awesome. Superior!

 

[mpitfield]

I hope Im not kicked out of the cool kids club. Since I never color in the lines and rarely conform to the norm, I didn't start now. I went with Green/copper color shift paint, and chrome letters. What do ya think?

I love it!

 

[mpitfield]

Thought I would post the latest pic of my 54mm BlackFly leaving the rail. This was from the monthly CRC club launch and launched on a CTI G106 Skid. Great reload, lots of flame and noise. It hit 1,755' AGL with main @ 300' using the JLCR. The recovery was picture perfect, except for the fact that I used a hanging charge that ricochets off the body and split the airframe. I should have known better as I did this on another airframe (FWFG), maybe I will learn my lesson.



I used the spent cap off a diabetic needle that goes onto the diabetic pens. It is just the right size for this purpose. However, the plastic is far too hard and has sharp edges, ergo two damaged airframes. I will post pics of the damage later, for now, enjoy this pic.

 

[spigalau]

How bad is the split ?

And pretty photo !

 

[mike2wander]

I love it!

I'll second that! That looks great. Sometimes coloring outside the lines just makes sense.

 

[mpitfield]

After a bit of contemplation, I have another theory that I believe makes more sense and matches my observations. Please let me know your thoughts?

The last time this happened, I blew a small hole through a thin-wall FW/FG airframe, not just a crack. At that time, and up until now, I thought it was because of the hanging BP holder ricocheting off the inside of the airframe.

I just inspected and cleaned the inside of BF airframe, and I noted a very dark and concentrated scorch mark around the split. I also clearly recalled, that when I ground tested these spent diabetic needle caps, the intensity of sound was far greater than anything I had experienced before. It was so loud that my ears rang for about ten min. I have done a lot of ground testing, and nothing has compared, even with twice the load. At the time, I just passed it off.

Below is my new theory, which I am sure will be fairly obvious to some of you. The base of the hanging charge was likely facing, as well as up against the inside wall of the airframe. Combining this with the rigidity of the cap, which probably focused the blast, it resulted in what you see below.

Below are some pics of the spent hanging charge cap.


As you can see, the cap survived both the expanding hot gases and the heat with nothing more than some minor discolouration.

This brings me to my plan to resurrect the original BF.

Instead of fixing it as a flight-ready airframe, which would necessitate some body work inside and outside, I am just going to make it visually "fixed" and leave it as a static model. I am going to repurpose this nosecone, which is not the original and make use of some left-over Mac 54mm CF airframe. I also have some perfectly sized CF plate that I have been looking for something to use it on.

This will be a one-off custom all CF BlackFly that I will leave natural, just a thin layer of epoxy to cover it and bring out a shine, and a very subtle black on black BlackFly logo with red eyes.

 

[liv3mind]

My 54mm fly showed up today [emoji48][emoji48]

 

[jbr]

L3 completed

 

[mpitfield]

Very nice! What motor choice did you go with, and how was the recovery?

 

[mpitfield]

You are going to like launching that one. Post pics once complete.

My 54mm fly showed up today [emoji48][emoji48]

View attachment 403178

 

[jbr]

Very nice! What motor choice did you go with, and how was the recovery?

M1550 Aerotech
11,100 feet
2 foot personally made drogue at apogee
12 foot RM main at 1000, backup at 900
landed 1/2 mile away
tracking was LL electronics
recovered by 4 wheeler

 

[Tobor]

L3 completed

Big congrats! BlackFlys FTW!!!

 

[Brian Kirksey]

Fantastic!! Congrats. Love seeing blackfkys in action.