Moonraker R/C shuttle

[burkefj]

I was experimenting with a couple of different build techniques/simplifications and some different materials on the R/C shuttle kit that I make but it turned out so nice I just decided to finish it. For something different I went with the Moonraker color scheme, there's a little bit of paint on the nose cone but everything else is self-adhesive automotive 3m vinyl trim that I cut by hand with an exacto knife including the logos. This is about 1/72nd scale and 7.9 oz ready to fly with RC equipment and 24mm E motor installed. 23" long, 18.5" wingspan

 

[Rktman]

Superb vinyl trim work and overall finish!

 

[burkefj]

 

[burkefj]

 

[tab28682]

Fun!

 

[burkefj]

Here is the kit version, simplified for easy construction, and still looks the part, Mark at stickershock re-created the decals for the kit version from my drawings and they will be available from him...this uses a stock pnc-80BB cone which looks good, instead of hand carving one from stacked foam, I have contacted boyce to see if he can modify the aftermarket cone for me standard shuttle to have rounded sides/bottom to match this simpler model without side plates...Rail buttons are on the side to protect them, and it came out at only 7.3 oz rtf, 23" long, 18.5" wingspan, slightly lighter than my prototype above...should really scoot.

 

[burkefj]

Maiden flights of the kit version were just like the prototype!

 

[boomtube-mk2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonr...masted square rigged ships carried a moonsail.


And now you know.

 

[Bat-mite]

I've always really liked Shirley Bassey's theme to Moonraker.

Where are you? Why do you hide?
Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side?
Just like the Moonraker goes in search of his dream of gold,
I search for love, for someone to have and hold.
I´ve seen your smile in a thousand dreams,
Felt your touch and it always seems
You love me,
You love me.

Where are you? When will we meet?
Take my unfinished life and make it complete.
Just like the Moonraker knows his dream will come true someday,
I know that you are only a kiss away.
I´ve seen your smile in a thousand dreams,
Felt your touch and it always seems
You love me,
You love me.

 

[burkefj]

I worked with Boyce Aerospace to create an optional more scale like cone for the kit which is more like my original hand carved version, for those that want something a bit different than the included PNC-80BB cone, here she is.

 

[burkefj]

 

[burkefj]

Great flight shots from Missile Madness 2022 with the new optional boyce cone courtesy of Jim Wilkerson

 

[burkefj]

Using the same nose cone from the Buran and the other spare piece of 24.7" BT-101, I just finished building a 1/37 scale Moonraker and test flew it this morning. I'm waiting for the stickershock decals to finish her up. This will also be for F-20 motors. Here she is next to the smaller kit version.

 

[burkefj]

I got the decals from sticker shock yesterday and finished her up here is the 1/37th size Moonraker along with the kit version I make.

The added vinyl increase the weight by about 0.6 oz over the Buran version.

 

[Crawf56]

Good stuff.

 

[burkefj]

Got back from LDRS with some more F-20's so I could get flight video with 1/37 size Moonraker shuttle with the markings finished...

 

[burkefj]

Two more nice flights on the upscale Moonraker with F-20 motors

 

[burkefj]

Some great shots by Jim Wilkerson at Sodblaster IV of two flights of the 1/37th scale version both on F-20 motors.

 

[Rktman]

Awe-inspiring!

 

[Crawf56]

Great model.

 

[Hobie1dog]

 

[burkefj]

I decided to make the motor mount 24mm instead of 29 and remove about 2oz of nose weight, it doesn't fly as high on the E-6 and E/F-12 motors but it is lighter in glide which sort of compensates a bit and is cheaper to fly....

It was 10mph and gusty today, really too windy but I've never let that stop me.

 

[Crawf56]

I noticed there wasn't any going downwind!

 

[burkefj]

I noticed there wasn't any going downwind!

That's the key in windy day flying, do some slight s curves to let it slide back to set up for landing if you need to but never do a full downwind turn...

 

[burkefj]

Some great flights this morning in zero wind conditions

 

[Huxter]

Great dedication flight to George - thank you for doing that! The Moonraker looks absolutely fabulous - great job!

 

[burkefj]

I think the E-20 is the perfect balance of cost, nice flame, good altitude, glide time and doesn't push it too fast.

 

[sr205347d]

F24W is good for flame, smoke, and noise.



View attachment Aurora Clipper F24W.m4v

 

[burkefj]

F24W is good for flame, smoke, and noise.

View attachment 584862

View attachment 584863

It's a little too hard on this model by just a bit, but it's great in my SR-71. I had an elevon flutter issue in my identically sized Buran that pulled one of the control horns loose on an f20 and the f24 is nearly identical in thrust profile and duration just a few Newton seconds different. The E20 is just enough lower to not cause an issue.

 

[burkefj]

And for anyone that doesn't remember the Moonraker actually was somehow able to fire up its engines without an external fuel tank, so this is a proper flight configuration.



Had two more great flights on e-20s today