I've often wondered if those were made from ordinary bond paper or if they were something more exotic.
Thanks for posting this Dave. It appears to be sized for a BT-50 rocket?
Old Guy Eyes... enlarged these a bit.Here's set of photos from the NASM archives that show G. Harry Stine inserting one of these protectors into a Rock-a-Chute. In the middle photo you can see a formed protector sticking out of his shirt pocket.
Note the date on the envelope from which the photos were removed. Placed in the timeline of the Stine-Carlisle correspondence, this may be Harry's very first model rocket.
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James
I seem to remember that in the early days BT-50 was the biggest tube that Estes made, but the BT-60 came along very soon after this.Thanks for posting this Dave. It appears to be sized for a BT-50 rocket?
I think you could up/down size these, cut them out, and coat just the area where it says "INTO MISSILE BODY" with white glue (making sure the coated section goes next to engine).
Living in a part of the country where forest fires are a reality, using anything other than flame resistant material for these would be a fools errand.
White glue *will* make them flameproof (flame resistant - even Estes wadding will burn).
@Sooner Boomer Sounds like a fun project to do some R&D on?
I was thinking that. I'm trying to think of a way to try this out without burning motors. How much BP (ejection charge) do Estes motors have? I'm guessing you'd need different sized body tubes (start with just one), and test using a parachute (or a substitute), and a nosecone.
Don't use wadding at all... build every rocket with a BAFFLE system. It works great, I have made them for as small a tube as BT-50.
Here is an Apogee Newsletter with some info and ideas. https://apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter129.pdf
I have made paper tube type baffles and 3D Printed baffles. AeroTech kits use the stainless mesh system. The 3D printed are the easiest to deal with. Contact me if you want one to try for a nominal fee to cover shipping and a couple bucks for materials. (I am not in the business of manufacturing large quantities of stuff to sell) If you like the item you can clone it, if you have a 3d printer I can send you the STL files. Specify tube size, up to 2.6" max. Larger ones are do-able but would then have a big jump in cost... The below design not really suitable for big high power rockets, changes for the shock line anchor is the main issue. My 4" baffle has been used a dozen times with no issues, and it is PLA not PETG...
This design is to be bonded inside of a tube coupler for whatever airframe you have. This allows to easily fillet the "Wings" of the baffle before bonding the top piece, then glue the unit into the airframe either up inside or use as a coupler assembly to allow access to the area below the baffle. (A future idea so I can get to an altimeter for ejection placed below the baffle.) The hole thru the middle is for a Kevlar shock line. Make a big knot at the bottom, then cover the knot with RTV...
Another bonus of the baffle: Place forward as far as feasible for parachute fitment. This will move your CG forward...
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I don't know if there was anything "special" about the paper they used.
An idea to "flameproof" the paper, in advance, would be to treat it with a Sodium Silicate solution and allow it to dry before cutting.
Dave F.
Can I get the STL? I can resize as needed.Don't use wadding at all... build every rocket with a BAFFLE system. It works great, I have made them for as small a tube as BT-50.
Here is an Apogee Newsletter with some info and ideas. https://apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter129.pdf
I have made paper tube type baffles and 3D Printed baffles. AeroTech kits use the stainless mesh system. The 3D printed are the easiest to deal with. Contact me if you want one to try for a nominal fee to cover shipping and a couple bucks for materials. (I am not in the business of manufacturing large quantities of stuff to sell) If you like the item you can clone it, if you have a 3d printer I can send you the STL files. Specify tube size, up to 2.6" max. Larger ones are do-able but would then have a big jump in cost... The below design not really suitable for big high power rockets, changes for the shock line anchor is the main issue. My 4" baffle has been used a dozen times with no issues, and it is PLA not PETG...
This design is to be bonded inside of a tube coupler for whatever airframe you have. This allows to easily fillet the "Wings" of the baffle before bonding the top piece, then glue the unit into the airframe either up inside or use as a coupler assembly to allow access to the area below the baffle. (A future idea so I can get to an altimeter for ejection placed below the baffle.) The hole thru the middle is for a Kevlar shock line. Make a big knot at the bottom, then cover the knot with RTV...
Another bonus of the baffle: Place forward as far as feasible for parachute fitment. This will move your CG forward...
View attachment 479330
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