MAC Performance Hyper54 + custom av bay by SMT Designs = minimum diameter awesomeness.

[Orien]

There comes a time in one's rocketry pursuits when there is an insatiable desire to put big motors into small rockets. That time is upon me.


I've seen many MD projects on TRF and found the design and construction challenges intimidating and maybe a little beyond my skill level - particularly with fin attachment. But with the Hyper54, the aluminum bolt-on fins give me a practically indestructible fin can that takes about five minutes to permanently secure to the rocket without a drop of adhesive. This feature alone is what prompted me to move forward with an MD project (the fact that they look super bad-ass is merely a bonus).

Here I've temporarily installed the fins, retainer, and K740 C-Star motor. The SMT Designs av bay is shipping today (4/25/22). I have some hardware and a few other items to collect and then I'll attack the build.

Maiden Flight Plan
Tentative date: 5/21/2022
Empty weight: 61 oz. (3.8 lbs.)
Length: 69"
Motor: CTI 54mm 4-grain K740 C-Star
Expected altitude: 13k'
Max. velocity: Mach 1.6
Max. Acceleration: 28 g's
Recovery: Dual deploy via two RRC2L's. 36" main, ??? drogue (considering streamer or drogueless)
Tracking: Dual Tracki GPS transponders and Marco Polo unit

Regular updates as the build progresses. Stay tuned!

 

[jmasterj]

Why two Tracki GPS units? Have you had failures with them at high Gs before or something like that? Also, when did you place your SMT order? I tried to order from him last year and cancelled several weeks ago since I hadn't gotten an update since payment.

I'm interested in seeing more pictures of how the fin can attaches to the airframe. This should be cool!

 

[Orien]

Why two Tracki GPS units? Have you had failures with them at high Gs before or something like that?

Nah. There's a bit of wonkiness with the app and it takes some patience to get the location dialed in (the "History" feature helps with this), but I've never had an outright failure. I wouldn't have any rockets left in the fleet if it wasn't for this thing. I'm using two simply because they fit, they're lightweight, and I just really really really want to find this thing!

Also, when did you place your SMT order? I tried to order from him last year and cancelled several weeks ago since I hadn't gotten an update since payment.

Just last week. Steve is always responsive to texts and has been great to work with. This is my third av bay I've ordered from him. I'm sure there was a miscommunication or something in your case. I'll PM you his number.

 

[jmasterj]

If it wasn't for the subscription requirements/lock-in, I'd be all over those Tracki units. Totally makes sense for how you fly, but I'm not sure I go high enough often enough for it to be worth it.

 

[Orien]

If it wasn't for the subscription requirements/lock-in, I'd be all over those Tracki units. Totally makes sense for how you fly, but I'm not sure I go high enough often enough for it to be worth it.

Me trying to visually track my last five flights:

 

[Orien]

Started tinkering this morning now that the major components are here. First I wanted to make three guide lines that were exactly between the fins. The set screw holes in the fin can made this very easy.

Next I marked where to install the handy little bulkhead/harness attachment part that Mike at MAC Performance made for me - being careful to keep enough room below for a loaded 6XL motor case.

I will assemble the av bay after work today.

 

[Orien]

Finally finished the most tedious part of the build. These custom av bays from SMT Designs are pretty sweet once they are done and installed, but assembling them is not my favorite rocket activity.

 

[Orien]

I’m having to build this thing backwards. In order to permanently attach the fins, I have to paint the airframe first. No paint goes under the fin can, but the fins extend beyond it a bit and it would be tough getting the paint around them.

So that means I have to have all the alignment marks drawn and holes drilled which is why the av bay was step one in construction. Next I installed the booster and nosecone harnesses. I’ve learned to avoid using a bulkhead in the nosecone assembly so I can utilize the space inside.

I agonized over how to epoxy the booster harness assembly in place neatly and cleanly. Then I just said “screw it” and screwed it.

Vent holes, av bay screw holes, and shear pin holes have been drilled and she’s been marked for permanent alignment.


No launch lugs installed as I will be using fly-away rail guides.

 

[Orien]

I knew I wanted a polished, high-gloss black finish but not just any plain old black. This is “Graphite” by Duplicolor.


Also laid on three coats of their 1K Extreme Gloss clear coat. This stuff will wet sand and polish to a glassy finish after it dries for about 24 hours. A really good product IMO.

 

[Orien]

After some wet sanding and polishing, I installed the fin can and motor retainer. The fin can is moron simple. A few set screws to keep it from spinning and 21 machine screws through the fins to clamp everything together.

After, I couldn’t resist getting her all stacked up in flight configuration.

 

[Orien]

 

[David_Stack]

As the Tubes would put it... "She's a Beauty"

 

[spigalau]

Looking good - what laundry are you going to run on it ?

The deadhead bulkhead is a good thing to run with.

 

[Donnager]

Out of curiosity, my Hyper54 had no switch band included and the payload/top section is much shorter. My e-bay is tied to the payload section, with switch holes in that section. Payload section might be 10-12" long, short enough that my recovery gear backs up into the nose.

Did you special order an extended payload bay with switch band? Mine's a couple of years old. I assumed the short payload and missing switch band were for weight reduction, and never asked questions about whether I had the right parts.

 

[Orien]

Looking good - what laundry are you going to run on it ?

The deadhead bulkhead is a good thing to run with.

I’ve got a 12” chute I was going to reef all the way down for a drogue. A streamer comes with its own problems and drogueless just feels wrong. I figure this will give me enough drag to get that “inverted check mark” configuration during descent that seems conducive to a successful main deployment.
For the main, a 48” standard Rocketman chute for a 10 mph touchdown.

 

[JackC]

There comes a time in one's rocketry pursuits when there is an insatiable desire to put big motors into small rockets. That time is upon me.
View attachment 515801

I've seen many MD projects on TRF and found the design and construction challenges intimidating and maybe a little beyond my skill level - particularly with fin attachment. But with the Hyper54, the aluminum bolt-on fins give me a practically indestructible fin can that takes about five minutes to permanently secure to the rocket without a drop of adhesive. This feature alone is what prompted me to move forward with an MD project (the fact that they look super bad-ass is merely a bonus).
View attachment 515802
Here I've temporarily installed the fins, retainer, and K740 C-Star motor. The SMT Designs av bay is shipping today (4/25/22). I have some hardware and a few other items to collect and then I'll attack the build.

Maiden Flight Plan
Tentative date: 5/21/2022
Empty weight: 61 oz. (3.8 lbs.)
Length: 69"
Motor: CTI 54mm 4-grain K740 C-Star
Expected altitude: 13k'
Max. velocity: Mach 1.6
Max. Acceleration: 28 g's
Recovery: Dual deploy via two RRC2L's. 36" main, ??? drogue (considering streamer or drogueless)
Tracking: Dual Tracki GPS transponders and Marco Polo unit

Regular updates as the build progresses. Stay tuned!

Yep, you can’t go wrong with Mike Fisher’s Max Q fin can. I’ve designed two BALLS rockets using those fin cans.

 

[JackC]

View attachment 517218View attachment 517219View attachment 517220View attachment 517221
View attachment 517222

Sleek and deadly!

 

[Orien]

Out of curiosity, my Hyper54 had no switch band included and the payload/top section is much shorter. My e-bay is tied to the payload section, with switch holes in that section. Payload section might be 10-12" long, short enough that my recovery gear backs up into the nose.

Did you special order an extended payload bay with switch band? Mine's a couple of years old. I assumed the short payload and missing switch band were for weight reduction, and never asked questions about whether I had the right parts.

Mike has since changed the design a bit. The kit now comes with a 14" payload section and an av bay with a 3-D printed sled and all the necessary hardware. Mine measures 70 3/4” tall.

I got my first kit from MAC Performance in November. I now have three. I just love them. This canvas phenolic is much lighter than fiberglass so the rockets over-perform. This same K740 sent my 3” Exocet to 9400’ and that is not a small rocket. Redundant dual deploy, external camera, and GPS unit on board, too.

 

[SnapRoll]

This same K740 sent my 3” Exocet to 9400’

Word Around the office is.. that Exocet is one sexy kit..

 

[Orien]

Word Around the office is.. that Exocet is one sexy kit..

Rumor confirmed:

 

[Orien]

I rigged up a mount for the Mobius Mini (wide-angle lens). I have it set for 1080p and 50 fps. Seems to make great videos. I left the bottom half of the camera exposed for heat exchange. When I covered it completely with the shroud for my last flight, it would overheat and shut down after about five minutes. This seems to eliminate the problem. You may also notice that I have remove the exterior buttons and use toothpicks to reach inside for the power and shutter buttons. It seem like those exterior buttons might be too easy to press inadvertently, maybe even by the airstream.



The downward end rests on top of one of the screws that hold in the bulkhead. This is intentional giving about a five degree cant to the camera so the view isn’t as dominated by airframe. At the other end is a patch of velcro permanently attached to both the camera and rocket. The shroud goes over this, then the metal strap and screws clamp everything down snug.

 

[lowga]

That's awesome. Please post a link to the flight video.

 

[Orien]

I had to scrub the launch Saturday for a couple of reasons. First, my main parachute arrived late and was the wrong size. Ky Jr. overnighted me the right one and I got it late Friday. I had no time to practice folding it, packing it, or testing ejection charges with it. Also, a storm system promised too much cloud cover and too low of a ceiling for the 12k+ expected altitude.

I am going to re-attempt the flight at the SLUGR 4 launch this Saturday at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. Looks like a decent site. 12,000 foot waiver which should be enough since this thing has packed on some pounds. Further updates as events warrant.

I took some time today to lay everything out and get it packed. The rocket weighs almost exactly 5 pounds sanz motor. She got a little chunky on me as most of my rockets do. This is the tightest fitting parachute I’ve ever attempted. I think I need to switch to Kevlar and get rid of all that bulky stuff used for the main harness.

I also wet sanded her down to 5000 grit, hit her with the compound, and then a coat of wax. Much smoother and glossier now.

 

[tim cubbedge]

Been to slugger before? You can do high altitude with the right weather conditions. Not ideal field though. Nice build. I might make it down there weather permitting.

 

[ZEDL1]

This is a beautiful build. I'm very strong on 54 MD rockets. I just may have a few around somewhere... Amazing workmanship sir. I'll do my best to make my next one as perfect as this.