R/S Dry Bones, Wildman Dark Star 4"

[Wrightme43]

Here are some photos of my Dark Star 4"

This kit was donated to MC2 by Jeff Estes. It was purchased in Nov of 2010.
I added a switch band and replaced the orginal 2 piece molded nose cone with the updated filament wound aluminum tip style from wildman, and ordered a sled.

It is using the featherweight GPS, blue raven altimeter on magnetic switch for primary deployments, with a RRC2 dipswitch altimeter with a screw switch for back up redundant deployments, all four charges in @Jester 5gm charge wells. It is wired and will use for my L2 the third and forth channels on the blue raven to wildman paper charge containers for tertiary, just in case, completely unnecessary, charges but heck I have already went this far, WHY not charges.

I have a Loki 712 motor for this flight.

I know from my Talon 2 that double finned rockets like to turn into the wind especially at lower speed off the rail.

This Motor being well over 10 to 1 thrust to weight ratio should minimize that.

It should top out at 1685' max speed around 255.

It has @Onebadhawk recovery harnesses with sewn on kevlar, his recovery hardware, his 1010 and 1515 conformal rail buttons, and a Y harness with eyebolts and swivel sewn on.

It was built with West systems 2 part epoxy and thier Six10 thixio epoxy, motor retainer and blind nuts all done with jb weld.

It was ground tested before paint.

I expect it one of very few if not the only rocket with walnut battery retention, and a canarywood screws with perch.


I am very proud of it, and I hope to fly for L2 on June 1st at Bluesrocks in Elizabethtown KY.

I want to thank Marty @Hobie1dog Allen @jahall4 Ted @Onebadhawk
And Peter Tarle for taking the time to help me understand and sharing how they accomplished the things I want to do.

Thank you for looking.


I also know I don't have to do dual deploy for L2. It doesn't have to be redundant till L3, I just wanted to build this rocket this way, and I made sure I was able to do this with a Loc Deployer on H motors.

 

[Wrightme43]

Here are some photos. I used SEM primer. It blows rustoleum out of the water. The paint is from Kustom Canz and is covered in thier 2k clear.

The decals are white retro reflective with charcoal print outline. My friend Beth at Signs Express in Bowling Green made them for me.


The main is a recon recovery 50".

This has been a tremendously fun thing to build.

 

[Wrightme43]

Here are the rest.

Hopefully I can get a video of it's 1st flight.

 

[OzHybrid]

Great build pics. Love that trailer.
Metallic paint finishes can significantly degrade your radio signals. Have you done a range test? GPS signal strength test?

 

[KenECoyote]

Great build and pics! Also quite a great list of talent you've consulted!

Just one question... is this 9v walnut battery retainer only held in place by the tension of the one zip tie? It looks like it can slip out (can't tell for sure since I didn't see a side pic).


I Always restrain batteries on all 3 axes.

 

[Wrightme43]

Great build and pics! Also quite a great list of talent you've consulted!

Just one question... is this 9v walnut battery retainer only held in place by the tension of the one zip tie? It looks like it can slip out (can't tell for sure since I didn't see a side pic).
View attachment 646966

I Always restrain batteries on all 3 axes.

Well sort of. There is another part. It was mortised into the top part at 90 degrees, and made into a slight tapered wedge on the end. For the battery to come out, it must come backwards out of the male and female plugs. The wedge goes down the base of the 9v into the battery holder, and holds the battery in the connectors. I can not get it to come out without removing the tie strap. I will try again though. You may of noticed something I missed and I appreciate any input. I don't want to learn the hard way. IF there is anything else you see please tell me. I am glad for any eyes that might see something I missed. I will try prying upwards with a popsicle stick. The last one broke, but maybe I can come up with something else.

The reason I did it that way is there are electronics on the other side. I will design the next on better.

 

[Wrightme43]

Great build pics. Love that trailer.
Metallic paint finishes can significantly degrade your radio signals. Have you done a range test? GPS signal strength test?

not with paint on it. I used gloss krylon on the Loc Deployer. It worked great. I will test that as well.
Thank you!!!!!!

 

[Wrightme43]

Great build and pics! Also quite a great list of talent you've consulted!

Just one question... is this 9v walnut battery retainer only held in place by the tension of the one zip tie? It looks like it can slip out (can't tell for sure since I didn't see a side pic).
View attachment 646966

I Always restrain batteries on all 3 axes.

I was able to pull it out, but the battery stayed connected. I am looking at a new way right now.

 

[Wrightme43]

This is what space I have to work with.

 

[Wrightme43]

The center clear area is taken by the stainless 1/4 20 rod

 

[Wrightme43]

I got it, I will move the battery for the gps. Use that space for the 9v. I have a old school plug I can just solder on and use tie straps to secure plug and battery.

Does that sound reasonable?

 

[KenECoyote]

I got it, I will move the battery for the gps. Use that space for the 9v. I have a old school plug I can just solder on and use tie straps to secure plug and battery.

Does that sound reasonable?

That should, but there may be simple fixes like just another zip tie laterally instead of that wood piece or a longer wood piece with another downward piece (so more like a "C" than an "L").

 

[Wrightme43]

That should, but there may be simple fixes like just another zip tie laterally instead of that wood piece or a longer wood piece with another downward piece (so more like a "C" than an "L").

How about that Totally different plug in, moved battery. Tinned wires and heat shrinked, and secured with a clamp. Last clamp for gps battery wires is next.

 

[Wrightme43]

Every thing tested and works.

 

[Jester]

Very, very nicely done!!!!

 

[KenECoyote]

How about that Totally different plug in, moved battery. Tinned wires and heat shrinked, and secured with a clamp. Last clamp for gps battery wires is next.

Looks great!

 

[Wrightme43]

Great build pics. Love that trailer.
Metallic paint finishes can significantly degrade your radio signals. Have you done a range test? GPS signal strength test?

Tested GPS. It works great. I really like my Featherweight GPS