Secret Santa 2021

[mikewrt]

Here it is, folks! The first unglued assembly of the Secret Santa rocket courtest of @n3tjm, @Pem Tech, @TigerHawk and a special Elf who donated the bottom transition and 3D-printed the top transition!

View attachment 498992
This bad boy is tall at 48.5 inches! I could shorten it, but I think a D or E motor ejection charge could easily push the rocket apart at the second transition (especially those Estes “shotgun” ejection charges).

I will leave the transitions white. Then I will paint the body tubes white. Then I will do a red spiral on each tube (not sure how to put on masking tape to achieve that).

I will use the Patriot fins, with two white and one red.
I will use 1/4” launch lugs on the bottom tube but I will probably still launch it on a 3/16”, four feet long rod.
Thanks you guys so much!
More pics to follow as I start building it!

(Do I need a “stuffer” tube for the motor mount if I use a 24mm motor? The motor would need to fill up about 34” of tube with ejection gas. I guess it couldn’t hurt…)

Looks like a BT-60 to BT-55 to BT-20? I'm guessing you are ok without a stuffer but, like you said a small one wouldn't hurt either and you have plenty of mass forward not to impact the CG too much. Can't wait to see the progress!

 

[n3tjm]

Any idea what to call it? First thought that came to mind was the Papa Elf Special. But nothing from that came from a PES. Maybe Papa Elf Surprise? Secret Santa? Stocking Coal Hunter? Grinch Hunter? Hmm.

 

[brockrwood]

Any idea what to call it? First thought that came to mind was the Papa Elf Special. But nothing from that came from a PES. Maybe Papa Elf Surprise? Secret Santa? Stocking Coal Hunter? Grinch Hunter? Hmm.

Those are all great names! Papa Elf Surprise has a nice ring to it!

 

[Wally Ferrer]

I'm seeing the North Pole...

 

[brockrwood]

Looks like a BT-60 to BT-55 to BT-20? I'm guessing you are ok without a stuffer but, like you said a small one wouldn't hurt either and you have plenty of mass forward not to impact the CG too much. Can't wait to see the progress!

Yep! Citation Patriot BT-60 from Papa Elf @n3tjm. Then BT-55 from Pem-Tech @Pem Tech Llama Builder’s special. Then BT-20 from Yankee from Papa Elf. The transitions (what a labor saver!) are from another great Elf on TRF! The other parts, including parachute, et cetera are from @TigerHawk

 

[brockrwood]

I'm seeing the North Pole...

North “Pole” in quotes! Definitely a contender!

 

[n3tjm]

Today I ordered the e-bay for my Patriot . Hoping to be able to order the Fiberglass, Kevlar, and Resin relatively soon.

 

[Rocketteer]

Hello everyone is there going to be a secret Santa this year? I was just considering trying to start one on Facebook

 

[n3tjm]

Yes. It will start on Nov. 1st

 

[Rocketteer]

Yes. It will start on Nov. 1st

Thank you! Is there a set of rules you can direct me to?

 

[dr wogz]

Thank you! Is there a set of rules you can direct me to?

the 1st post in this thread..

n3tjm hosts two every year: one at Christmas, the other in about June, for a summertime Secret Santa. He's been hosting it for years now!

we all end up spending about $75 on each other despite the "$20" suggestion!! some nice gifts over the years!

 

[brockrwood]

Here it is, folks! The first unglued assembly of the Secret Santa rocket courtest of @n3tjm, @Pem Tech, @TigerHawk and a special Elf who donated the bottom transition and 3D-printed the top transition!

View attachment 498992
This bad boy is tall at 48.5 inches! I could shorten it, but I think a D or E motor ejection charge could easily push the rocket apart at the second transition (especially those Estes “shotgun” ejection charges).

I will leave the transitions white. Then I will paint the body tubes white. Then I will do a red spiral on each tube (not sure how to put on masking tape to achieve that).

I will use the Patriot fins, with two white and one red.
I will use 1/4” launch lugs on the bottom tube but I will probably still launch it on a 3/16”, four feet long rod.
Thanks you guys so much!
More pics to follow as I start building it!

(Do I need a “stuffer” tube for the motor mount if I use a 24mm motor? The motor would need to fill up about 34” of tube with ejection gas. I guess it couldn’t hurt…)

Gosh! How is it October 2022 already?! I have to get going on the Secret Santa rocket! So many rocket projects, so little time…