Mini R/C SR-71 rocket gliders

[burkefj]

Finished the radio install, did the servos inline flush again, you can see nothing sticks down and the rail easily clears the arms. Interestingly the vinyl covering added more weight than paint for the black model, at 7.2 oz rtf compared with 7 oz for the painted version.

 

[aerostadt]

So, vinyl just on the tube, not on the wings. Interesting that the rail clears the servos.

 

[burkefj]

So, vinyl just on the tube, not on the wings. Interesting that the rail clears the servos.

Yes the tube and tails covered in vinyl, everything else as is. Just enough room for pushrod clearance to the tube and rail, I don't recommend that for the kit, its a lot more critical in fitting than sideways into the tube and you have to hand cut and bend the rods to fit separately..just somerhing I wanted to play with larger tube and it wouldnt work as the rods would hit it

 

[burkefj]

Test flew the fedex today, with previous settings from my two black models that use the D-13, trims were spot on, great flyer with a fast straight boost.

 

[burkefj]

Some cockpit shaping details/tutorial..

 

[burkefj]

I have now certified the Blackbird also capable of handling the D-24 reload, it's a bit quicker so a good trim flight or two on D-13 are warranted, The advantage of the D-24 is a larger nozzle and igniter and easier to insert and less fragile and the blue thunder doesn't oxidize and is easier to ignite. Four flights, flew great.

 

[burkefj]

Finished my fedex and 971 to match the aircraft at my local museum with stickershock markings

 

[sr205347d]

Interestingly the vinyl covering added more weight than paint for the black model, at 7.2 oz rtf compared with 7 oz for the painted version.

Have you ever worked with Monokote or Ultracote heat shrink covering? Could be lighter than vinyl, but likely won't work well on the foam.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...ultracote-heat-shrink-film-to-rockets.141695/

 

[burkefj]

Have you ever worked with Monokote or Ultracote heat shrink covering? Could be lighter than vinyl, but likely won't work well on the foam.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...ultracote-heat-shrink-film-to-rockets.141695/

Yes, econokote was a low temp version that worked for foam wings back in the day, in this application the weight isn't an issue since the boost is so fast..

 

[neil_w]

I kind of love the FedEx version for some reason. Maybe because it's different from the black I'm so accustomed to seeing (although it is of course awesome in the original black). If I flew RC this would 100% be the first kit of yours I would buy. Sadly I don't, so I can just watch these threads and be jealous.

How do you do the red stripes exactly? They seem like they would be challenging to hand cut, or even to apply accurately with striping tape.

 

[burkefj]

I kind of love the FedEx version for some reason. Maybe because it's different from the black I'm so accustomed to seeing (although it is of course awesome in the original black). If I flew RC this would 100% be the first kit of yours I would buy. Sadly I don't, so I can just watch these threads and be jealous.

How do you do the red stripes exactly? They seem like they would be challenging to hand cut, or even to apply accurately with striping tape.

Thank you, most of these threads are just to inspire people. I've only ever seen one person post trying to build the way I do with depron so I don't think it is working

Stripes arent hard. In my kit instructions I describe it.

1. For the red strips you will need to cut them to length and apply each by hand. The strips need to be cut as follows: 1.25″, 1.25″, 9 7/8″, 2″, 1.75″, 1.5″ . You will apply the 1.25″ strip at the front of the wing about where the chine starts to curve toward the nacelle, it goes up the body tube about 1/4″ and angles outward, then second 1.25″ strip parallel with the leading edge of the wing. The long strip starts at the end of the second 1.25″ strip, angles and curves inward a bit then straight back toward the body tube and stops about 1/4″ away from the tube at the end. You can press down and pull it slightly to get it to curve as you apply. The 2″ strip starts at the end of the long strip and goes parallel with the hinge tape just in front of the tape, don’t apply to the hinge tape, then the 1.75″ strip goes next to the inboard portion of the nacelle touching the 2″ strip. The 1.5″ strip starts just ahead of the hinge tape goes parallel to the outboard of the nacelle. Repeat for the other side. For the small rectangle of red to the rear of the cockpit you can use 1″ long and 1/2″ long strips to make that, I put a half inch strip over the joint where the two body tubes join and then put the two 1″ strips going forward and the other 1/2″ strip to make a box.

 

[burkefj]

Windy day flights on D-13's on three of my prototypes, one I misjudged the wind on landing and wound up going a little further and getting caught in the weeds, fortunately because a few feet further it would have landed in the 6' wide irrigation channel that was full of water Handles the wind on boost nicely, maybe a bit reduced glide due to requiring s curves to set up to land crosswind to the runway and not get too far downwind but still lots of fun.