Mobile Rocket Rack

[Fishhead]

I'm sure that a lot of you will agree with me that the most unenjoyable part of any launch day is getting the rockets to and from the launch site. (Followed by transporting them safely in the car.) That said, has anyone got any ideas, pictures, suggestions, etc. that they'd like to share on a mobile rack or mobile support unit (To steal a phrase from G.I. Joe.)? I'd like to make something like this my winter project and I'm open for ideas.

 

[Milo]

I wonder if you can fashion something like the real-life Patriot missile canisters? This idea is for bigger rockets from 2.5" diameters and up and from 2.5' in length and up.

It would have to be made small so that the case remains light. It would be designed for one rocket but each case would be stackable on the others. Bracing would be on the outside to keep the interior small but still have very useable space. Inside there would be holders with felt that the rocket could be strapped to so that it would not bang around inside the case and also to lift it off the floor of the case so it does not rest on it's fins. Also inside could be holders for RMS loads and maybe other support equipment for the rocket. I'm thinking like an 9"x9" internal volume maybe smaller of varying lengths from 3' to 7'. Since they would be stackable you would need some way to tie them together to make carry up to four cases easy and you need a handle. With external bracing you might could get away with using 1/4" plywood. And one other thing, the holders inside the case that keep the rocket in place should be adjustable so that rockets with different fin configurations can be accomodated. The top would be hinged for easy access to the rocket. The bracing would also act as the stacking mechanism so that when stacked they lock into each other.

Amazing what you can think of during a one hour commute. What do you think? Is it possible?

 

[Milo]

Or you can make it 12"x12" internal volume and then use it to carry two smaller rockets, side by side, nose to nose. If you get my meaning. Or you can carry a larger rocket, large either in body tube or fin configuration. As an option you can build several sizes of internal holders based on standard body tube sizes.


I'm thinking some eyelets and strong rubber bands would hold the rocket in place.

I may go buy some balsa and make a scale prototype to give you an idea of what I'm thinking.

 

[Austin]

Ken Parker built a slide in, cube shaped, self supporting rack for his R/C airplanes out of PVC. One for rockets? Could be done.

With PVC, you could design and build almost anything.....

 

[Derek]

Check out:

https://barclone.rocketshoppe.com/accessories/rack/RocketRack.htm

...Derek

 

[Missileman]

I Like it
And welcome to TRF

 

[astrowolf67]

Bill,
Check out the rack that solrules posted pics of here:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7094

It's on the second page of the thread. I copied it Monday, and built one to hold up to nine rockets. It can be built to hold what ever size you need, and it was pretty cheap and easy. I used 1/2" pipe and fittings, and it cost under 25 dollars.

 

[Derek]

Ah, that one (above) doubles as a wine rack, right?

...Derek

 

[Karl]

I also need a new way of transporting rockets , carrying them in a bin-bag isnt working , and im fed up with re-glueing fins to rockets that havent even flown yet!!

 

[Micromeister]

I have a Van so these racks my not be much help in a car, thou I use them in my escort station wagon also.

Made from 2 pieces of 1" x 3" poplar 48" long and 1/2" wooden dowels, each can carry up to 8 models. With the models on the dowels/casings I can carry two of these full units comfortably across the field without fear of dropping or crushing anything, They can be tilted nearly vertically (Models almost horizontal) for less strain on the wrists.
The bottom 1"x 3" is cut in such a way that the ends and center 4" pieces form spacer stops for the 2, center swivel wing nutted 18 inch long "legs". Each leg can be positioned as needed for rack balance and/or slide into to pocket of another rack locking them together.

The 1/2" wooding dowels are about 6" long. Bare 1/2" dowels will slide into 13mm motor mounts, for 18mm models a spent 18mm motor casing a slipped on the 1/2" dowel, for 24mm motor models a combination spent 18 & 24mm motor casings are stacked on the same 1/2" dowel. note some of the nozzle ends, have to be sanded and CA soaked to slide easily into the motor mounts but once you have a set made and soaked they will last a long while.

In the back of my van I can slide 4 to 6 of these racks taking up about 2 feet by 5 feet of floor space with all the model (up to 48) held vertically, leaving loads of room for all the other gear At one time I carried all the Club range equipments rack system, tables and such as well as my own range gear, so I had to come up with a model transport system that worked

Heres the only pic I have of the racks currently I'll dig one out and get some closer pic if anyone wants to see the construction.

 

[Karl]

Thats nice!! Ive seen those made from pvc aswell. How do you stop those falling over though?

 

[Micromeister]

Originally posted by Karl
Thats nice!! Ive seen those made from pvc aswell. How do you stop those falling over though?

If you mean while carring "almost vertically with the models almost horizontal" it's physics!! gravity and friction Well; That word "almost" has a good deal to do with it also, you do try to keep the nose up slightly. Dowel/casing fit is snug not really tight so the carrier can easily to switched to fit whatever motor mount the model has but is firm enough to keep the models on the rack while being walked across the field. If the model has a motor clip its' very secure, normally friction fit model are small and light in so they stay in place or a tiny piece of masking tape on the casing stops any movement.

 

[solrules]

Originally posted by astrowolf67
Bill,
Check out the rack that solrules posted pics of here:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7094

It's on the second page of the thread. I copied it Monday, and built one to hold up to nine rockets. It can be built to hold what ever size you need, and it was pretty cheap and easy. I used 1/2" pipe and fittings, and it cost under 25 dollars.

Yeah, I like it alot (I was getting tired of my rockets getting knicked up just getting transported to the launch), but I think the best part is that it is modular, so that you can add in as many rockets as you can hold. I am planning on adding one more level (4 rockets) so that it will reach the top of the Surburban, so that the rack cannot tip over (not that it is likley to do so, but as a safety precaution) By the way, make sure to use the foam padding for ALL spots, as it is cheap and a great way to keep the rockets from sliding back and forth (causing 'hanger rash')

 

[Stones]

Originally posted by solrules
...
so that the rack cannot tip over (not that it is likley to do so, but as a safety precaution) ...

I drilled a hole in each bottom leg of my "wine rack" that a tent stake will go through to keep it from tipping out in the field. They become a perty good "wind sail" when a crosswind hits it.

 

[Micromeister]

Originally posted by Stones
I drilled a hole in each bottom leg of my "wine rack" that a tent stake will go through to keep it from tipping out in the field. They become a perty good "wind sail" when a crosswind hits it.

Yeap! same with mine a 1/2" counter sunk hole in the ends of each leg allow up to 4 alum. tent stakes to be placed on each rack. of the Racks are nested a square of 32 to 48 models can be secured with only 6 stakes. all models sitting vertically.