Some of you met me over in High Power part of the forum where I introduced myself, and talked about where I hope to go in the hobby.
I already built my first mid-powered model, a Stretch Blobbo, though I did have trouble matching engines to the over weight air frame. But that is done, and I am now going to build my Madcow Mini DX3 mid-powered rocket. I purchased it with an option, a fiberglass nosecone. I also think the nomex parachute protector was optional, and I have that also.
The nose cone is a super tight fit, so I am guessing I will need to sand down the part that plugs into the upper rocket body. Not sure just how tight things are supposed to fit. Is there a test you do, like maybe have it tight enough that when you pull, it makes a popping sound? Silly of me to think about such trivial things, but I am still trying to learn these bigger models. My only rocketry experience was back in 1971 with low powered ESTES rockets
The kit came with 1/4 inch diameter lugs to fit on a launch rod. I'm not sure that this is OK or this model, which has a 1 5/8 inch diameter body. But there is really little room for backing ply squares for launch lugs.
A concern of mine is that this model seems to be a high performance type, that will attain pretty high flights. Since my eyes are pretty bad now, I am wondering if I should obtain a payload bay insert, and add some kind of electronics. If so, just what can I put in a bay that is only about 4-5 inches long, and maybe 1.5 inches in diameter? I am guessing that it might be smart to purchase the Jolly Logic Chute Release since adding an altimeter, 9VDC battery and all the other stuff just won't fit in such a tiny rocket body. I was also thinking of one of those loud noise makers to attract my attention if or when I finally get close to it. I'm not sure the JL chute release provides a peak altitude readout, so I might need a second tiny altimeter to see just how high and fast this little critter goes. I'm sure all of this equipment could be transferred into another model if needed.
The kit also came with what I believe is a Kevlar shock cord that is one body length long, and a nylon shock cord that is 1.5 rocket bodies long. From all that I have seen in videos, this equates to about only half of what seems to be the norm for length, and it splits things, so something could possibly come loose. My thought is to purchase the same size Kevlar for at least three bodies length.
I will be flying off of the Lucerne Dry Lake Bed with the ROC Club. From what I have seen, this area is rock hard except after the rains, and when it gets wet, it is not a good thing to drive out on. Cars tend to get stuck in the gooey glue. But back to the reason I mention rock hard landing area. The provided parachute is 18 inches in diameter for their model weight of 9.5 ounces. I believe that since I build things like tanks, that could approach 15 ounces, especially if I add the payload bay insert and electronics.
I guess that is about all I have for the intro to what I will be building. If anyone has suggestions or something to add before I start this build, please, please mention it. I am still in a steep uphill learning curve. I know next to nothing about the newer, more complex hobby of model rocketry. Thanks Caley Ann
I already built my first mid-powered model, a Stretch Blobbo, though I did have trouble matching engines to the over weight air frame. But that is done, and I am now going to build my Madcow Mini DX3 mid-powered rocket. I purchased it with an option, a fiberglass nosecone. I also think the nomex parachute protector was optional, and I have that also.
The nose cone is a super tight fit, so I am guessing I will need to sand down the part that plugs into the upper rocket body. Not sure just how tight things are supposed to fit. Is there a test you do, like maybe have it tight enough that when you pull, it makes a popping sound? Silly of me to think about such trivial things, but I am still trying to learn these bigger models. My only rocketry experience was back in 1971 with low powered ESTES rockets
The kit came with 1/4 inch diameter lugs to fit on a launch rod. I'm not sure that this is OK or this model, which has a 1 5/8 inch diameter body. But there is really little room for backing ply squares for launch lugs.
A concern of mine is that this model seems to be a high performance type, that will attain pretty high flights. Since my eyes are pretty bad now, I am wondering if I should obtain a payload bay insert, and add some kind of electronics. If so, just what can I put in a bay that is only about 4-5 inches long, and maybe 1.5 inches in diameter? I am guessing that it might be smart to purchase the Jolly Logic Chute Release since adding an altimeter, 9VDC battery and all the other stuff just won't fit in such a tiny rocket body. I was also thinking of one of those loud noise makers to attract my attention if or when I finally get close to it. I'm not sure the JL chute release provides a peak altitude readout, so I might need a second tiny altimeter to see just how high and fast this little critter goes. I'm sure all of this equipment could be transferred into another model if needed.
The kit also came with what I believe is a Kevlar shock cord that is one body length long, and a nylon shock cord that is 1.5 rocket bodies long. From all that I have seen in videos, this equates to about only half of what seems to be the norm for length, and it splits things, so something could possibly come loose. My thought is to purchase the same size Kevlar for at least three bodies length.
I will be flying off of the Lucerne Dry Lake Bed with the ROC Club. From what I have seen, this area is rock hard except after the rains, and when it gets wet, it is not a good thing to drive out on. Cars tend to get stuck in the gooey glue. But back to the reason I mention rock hard landing area. The provided parachute is 18 inches in diameter for their model weight of 9.5 ounces. I believe that since I build things like tanks, that could approach 15 ounces, especially if I add the payload bay insert and electronics.
I guess that is about all I have for the intro to what I will be building. If anyone has suggestions or something to add before I start this build, please, please mention it. I am still in a steep uphill learning curve. I know next to nothing about the newer, more complex hobby of model rocketry. Thanks Caley Ann