Following up on my last build of the 4" Blackfly from Mike, I've just started a 6" Build. I'm building this with a no-expense-spared attitude, and my aim is to methodically hone in my build skills, and at the end, have a durable airframe I can fly lots... Well, that is the plan! Let's see how it goes.
I'll document the whole build here, and open to tips and feedback others have!
Mike has been fantastic to work with, and I can't recommend MAC Performance enough. Returning to the hobby after ~12 years, I am new to the modern build materials. But I simply can't imagine how the fit and finish of these components could be any better. Also key is his hands on customer service.
Buddy "Rocketman" is also working on an Apollo 11 Parachute for this build, and a great setup with a deployment bag and pro experimental drogue, and a pro experimental drogue for apogee deployment. My estimated total mass for the painted and epoxied airframe, with an emtpy motor, is around 20 - 25kg. So I am calculating a 2ft drogue will get me ~100 fps descent, and 12ft main will get me a soft 15-17 fps landing. And frankly, I love the idea of seeing a big Apollo parachute.
In preparation for flying this build, I passed my L2 Exam with a 98%, and recently signed a lease on a shop that I'll primarily use for rocket building! I plan to fly a lot this year, weather and rocket gods permitting. So having the space is going to be awesome.
I will also be doing some machining for some future plans, so I've got a 13" x 40" Clausing lathe on the way that is in pristine shape
Have some work to do to install three phase 240V yet.
So, regarding the 6" Blackfly!...
Components
It's been a while since I've worked with this much fiberglass, and I noticed my hands having a reaction. I immediately applied a layer of epoxy on the inside of the tail cone, allowed to cure evenly,and that solved it. Bonus is it should strengthen the tailcone, also.
This is just qualitative, but I did notice the rigidity of this component increased after the epoxy was allowed to cure for two days.
Motor retainer installed onto the Thrust plate, and Dry fitted to the installed tailcone. I did a small amount of sanding on the aft edge of the tailcone, so as to even the edge for a tight fit with the thrust plate.
I took a pause on the build to move into the new Shop! Many more updates to follow, hopefully this weekend.
I'll document the whole build here, and open to tips and feedback others have!
Mike has been fantastic to work with, and I can't recommend MAC Performance enough. Returning to the hobby after ~12 years, I am new to the modern build materials. But I simply can't imagine how the fit and finish of these components could be any better. Also key is his hands on customer service.
Buddy "Rocketman" is also working on an Apollo 11 Parachute for this build, and a great setup with a deployment bag and pro experimental drogue, and a pro experimental drogue for apogee deployment. My estimated total mass for the painted and epoxied airframe, with an emtpy motor, is around 20 - 25kg. So I am calculating a 2ft drogue will get me ~100 fps descent, and 12ft main will get me a soft 15-17 fps landing. And frankly, I love the idea of seeing a big Apollo parachute.
In preparation for flying this build, I passed my L2 Exam with a 98%, and recently signed a lease on a shop that I'll primarily use for rocket building! I plan to fly a lot this year, weather and rocket gods permitting. So having the space is going to be awesome.
I will also be doing some machining for some future plans, so I've got a 13" x 40" Clausing lathe on the way that is in pristine shape
Have some work to do to install three phase 240V yet.So, regarding the 6" Blackfly!...
Components
- 6" FWFG Airframes, fitted perfectly to the fins and avbay
- 6" Wildman nosecone. A Kevlar recovery harness attachment came pre-installed!.. it's the small things that make these kits so nice
- Complete AVBay setup, basically dry fit assembled, with all required hardware. It does come with a very well printed sled, but I will be designing a custom one for some Eggtimer components from Cris. I will also be flying my own high-frequency dynamic data logger. I'm going to be grabbing both acceleration and gyro data in all 3dimensions, along with 3D magnetometer measurements all at 1,000 Hz, and GPS at 10Hz. This computer will be on a separate power supply, completely isolated from the recovery avionics. I have scoped out a dual deploy system, with one Eggtimer Proton as primary, and the Eggtimer GPS TRS as backup. Both, also, on their own separate batteries. The specs of this may change, once I get into implementing the design I've worked out.
- Custom made Recovery Harness Set. Mike sewed this together for me, and man it is just awesome. It's red, and has the nomex sewn in. Of course, I forgot to take a pic, and it's at the shop.
- 5 Canvas Fins
- Motor Mount assembly with three centering rings, and two U-Bolts pre-attached
- Molded fiberglass tailcone
- Machined Aluminum Thrust Plate. This thing is just beautiful. My uncle was a lathe guy, and I've seen good work, and I've seen not so good turning work. This is very much good turning work and well worth the extra $60. The mechanical fit with the Motor Retainer is tight, and the aesthetics of the two are great together.
It's been a while since I've worked with this much fiberglass, and I noticed my hands having a reaction. I immediately applied a layer of epoxy on the inside of the tail cone, allowed to cure evenly,and that solved it. Bonus is it should strengthen the tailcone, also.
This is just qualitative, but I did notice the rigidity of this component increased after the epoxy was allowed to cure for two days.
Motor retainer installed onto the Thrust plate, and Dry fitted to the installed tailcone. I did a small amount of sanding on the aft edge of the tailcone, so as to even the edge for a tight fit with the thrust plate.
I took a pause on the build to move into the new Shop! Many more updates to follow, hopefully this weekend.
Last edited:
