Mac Performance Rocketry 4" Black Fly build thread "modified "

[Conway Stevens]

I recently got a Mac Performance Rocketry 4 inch Black Fly. First id like to start with. If you have not yet gotten any of their stuff you're truly missing out in many ways. From the quality in workman ship in all the little things that Mike, the owner, puts into everything he does. Down to the packing and how it shows up to your door step. Im primarily a composite rocket flyer. Mostly fiberglass some CF, But i really felt i needed to give the convolute wound canvas airframe a try. Its actually quite stout. Water proof. Extremely light and can handle flights over mach 2.5. It sands easy and bonds well. Really impressed. Mikes customer service. Communication is on point and top notch. Its all about attention to detail and quality family type service.

For this kit i decided i wanted to change somethings. Not that the kit had anything wrong...anyone that knows me knows i always change things from stock. I like to have dual deployment, and be able to fit larger motors. But here is the rundown of the stock Black Fly 4 inch

Specifications:

Single Deploy
Length: 50.5 inches
Motor Mount: 54mm
Approximate Weight: 2.9 lbs
H through K
28" canvas phenolic airframe
5:1 Pinnacle nosecone.

I wanted to do dual deployment so i will be making it HED. And because i want to fit 54mm L motors i ordered it with a longer body at 32" i also opted for the fiberglass nosecone upgrade 5:1 von karmen. There are lots of great stuff with this rocket. Im excited to build it and fly it.

 

[jmasterj]

I recently got a Mac Performance Rocketry 4 inch Black Fly. First id like to start with. If you have not yet gotten any of their stuff you're truly missing out in many ways. From the quality in workman ship in all the little things that Mike, the owner, puts into everything he does. Down to the packing and how it shows up to your door step. Im primarily a composite rocket flyer. Mostly fiberglass some CF, But i really felt i needed to give the convolute wound canvas airframe a try. Its actually quite stout. Water proof. Extremely light and can handle flights over mach 2.5. It sands easy and bonds well. Really impressed. Mikes customer service. Communication is on point and top notch. Its all about attention to detail and quality family type service.

I agree on all these points. Mike is also great to work with for custom projects. My only wish is that he would make some bigger canvas airframes!

I really enjoyed building my Black Fly. I kept it single deploy, but the nose cone shoulder isn't glued to allow moving to HED some time in the future.

 

[DHays]

I have the 3" Mac Arcas that is seen here as I am holding it. Quite a few flights on it with J's and K's. It is holding up real well. Top quality kit, and like everyone else says, he is excellent to do business with. I more than highly recommend his kits. I am working on a 4" build now.

 

[Conway Stevens]

I agree on all these points. Mike is also great to work with for custom projects. My only wish is that he would make some bigger canvas airframes!

I really enjoyed building my Black Fly. I kept it single deploy, but the nose cone shoulder isn't glued to allow moving to HED some time in the future.

Ive talked with Mike about larger sizes. The issue is at larger sizes the cost becomes way crazy and more then even what fiberglass and CF airframes would cost. Just not real feasible from the cost standpoint.

 

[jmasterj]

Ive talked with Mike about larger sizes. The issue is at larger sizes the cost becomes way crazy and more then even what fiberglass and CF airframes would cost. Just not real feasible from the cost standpoint.

Ah, that's interesting. Did he explain why it's more than fiberglass? I'd definitely pay prices similar to fiberglass because it's so easy to work and machine.

 

[Conway Stevens]

Started with prep, sanding and getting parts ready to go together. I really like how easy the material sands. Plus no itchy like from FG. Its really easy material to work with. 80 grit is whats recommended.

I always mark my areas to sand so im not sanding to much. Makes for better finish later and less work.

 

[Conway Stevens]

More prep.

 

[Conway Stevens]

Ah, that's interesting. Did he explain why it's more than fiberglass? I'd definitely pay prices similar to fiberglass because it's so easy to work and machine.

The cost to manufacture the larger sizes are just more for the tube. Plus the lengths are not really very long. Cost as they are less common.

 

[Conway Stevens]

Got some more progress... at the same time building this im doing a wildman punisher 4. Will post a different thread on several of the Wildman rockets im currently building. But more on the Black Fly.

Fins, rings body tube inside and out are sanded. Cleaned then marked with the dowel for fillets. Using Aeropoxy ES6209 structural and Jb Weld. JB Weld is for the centering rings to motor tube, motir retainer. Tailcone and fin root edges. Get the motor tube set up for the tailcone and motor retainer. This is a fastback retainer from Mac Performance Rocketry. Once all measured the motor tube and top center ring assembly is epoxied in place. Then use the tailcone to keep it centered while curing.

 

[Tim51]

Thanks for posting this - enjoying your build. +1 to everything you and others have said about Mike and Patty. I've purchased quite a few custom items and components from MAC direct (they don't have a dealer here in the UK). The transatlantic shipping costs are pretty brutal but to me it's still worth it for the quality and customer service.

 

[Conway Stevens]

Plenty of more work accomplished on this great kit. Pictures should show my progress.

 

[Tim51]

Are you intending to seal the beveled fin edges with anything special, or just paint and sanding?

 

[Conway Stevens]

Are you intending to seal the beveled fin edges with anything special, or just paint and sanding?

I will seal them with a coat of epoxy then sand them clean and sharp again before paint.

 

[Conway Stevens]

Interior and exterior fillets. The interior i get from the rear of the tube. With a syringe and then the small dowel to help shape it down the length of each fillet. The exterior are taped off then using a 1 inch dowel i shape them and left to cure. I used a mix of epoxy and some collodial sillica on the exterior. Normally i dont use any fillers but decided to try it on this.

 

[jmasterj]

I will seal them with a coat of epoxy then sand them clean and sharp again before paint.

What problem are you avoiding by sealing them?

 

[Tim51]

What problem are you avoiding by sealing them?

The canvas matrix embedded in the phenolic canvas plate is exposed when the plate is beveled, so bits of it can rise or 'fluff up' slightly. Admittedly it's a tiny detail.

 

[jmasterj]

The canvas matrix embedded in the phenolic canvas plate is exposed when the plate is beveled, so bits of it can rise or 'fluff up' slightly. Admittedly it's a tiny detail.

I need to start painting mine soon now that the weather is better in MD, so I was wondering in case it was something I should do before paint is applied.

 

[Conway Stevens]

The canvas matrix embedded in the phenolic canvas plate is exposed when the plate is beveled, so bits of it can rise or 'fluff up' slightly. Admittedly it's a tiny detail.

Correct. Plus its a finish thing if that matters to you.

 

[Tim51]

Any more progress on this build?

 

[ThePlmbr]

Looking really nice! As Tim asked...have you done more with your build? My four fin Black Fly is painted and I have my decals From StickerShock.

 

[crossfire]

The canvas matrix embedded in the phenolic canvas plate is exposed when the plate is beveled, so bits of it can rise or 'fluff up' slightly. Admittedly it's a tiny detail.

Looking really nice! As Tim asked...have you done more with your build? My four fin Black Fly is painted and I have my decals From StickerShock.

Greg we need a picture

 

[ThePlmbr]

Pictures are on Mike's original post in the RF Sponsor Market, under the heading...Only one Available. I will post some pictures here later today. Greg Olson

 

[Conway Stevens]

Unfortunately some incidents have had me sidelined a bit. Apologies. I will post up some more soon as some more is done. Recently had a pretty hard accident at work that caused a concussion, 3 broken ribs and 2 broken transverse process on my L1 and L2 of my spine. Bones and concussion healing up well. but dealing with multiple bulging disc issues and pinched nerves as the discs are putting pressure on the spinal cords. But i will get more posted soon. Apologies.

 

[Tim51]

Unfortunately some incidents have had me sidelined a bit. Apologies. I will post up some more soon as some more is done. Recently had a pretty hard accident at work that caused a concussion, 3 broken ribs and 2 broken transverse process on my L1 and L2 of my spine. Bones and concussion healing up well. but dealing with multiple bulging disc issues and pinched nerves as the discs are putting pressure on the spinal cords. But i will get more posted soon. Apologies.

Oh man... very sorry to hear this and of course, absolutely no apologies needed. You take all the time you need and rest up. First things first. Get well soon.

 

[jmasterj]

Oof, that sounds rough. I hope you continue to heal quickly!

 

[Hobie1dog]

Unfortunately some incidents have had me sidelined a bit. Apologies. I will post up some more soon as some more is done. Recently had a pretty hard accident at work that caused a concussion, 3 broken ribs and 2 broken transverse process on my L1 and L2 of

wow

 

[Orien]

Unfortunately some incidents have had me sidelined a bit. Apologies. I will post up some more soon as some more is done. Recently had a pretty hard accident at work that caused a concussion, 3 broken ribs and 2 broken transverse process on my L1 and L2 of my spine. Bones and concussion healing up well. but dealing with multiple bulging disc issues and pinched nerves as the discs are putting pressure on the spinal cords. But i will get more posted soon. Apologies.

Oh my god. So are you a test pilot? Circus acrobat? Bomb disposal technician? And I thought being on sloped roofs several times a week was dodgy. I'd have to swan dive off of one to do that kind of damage. I came here to comment how it's cool we are both doing MAC Performance kit builds at the same time on TRF. I'm on my third. Love the lightweight canvass phenolic. Looking forward to the rest of this thread. Get well!

 

[ThePlmbr]

1st fin attached. Greg Olson

 

[ThePlmbr]

The nose cone and fins painted black. Greg Olson

 

[ThePlmbr]

Painted. Waiting for it's decals.