Semroc UFO Invader

[billeblurzz]

Finished the UFO Invader!

 

[billeblurzz]

Those thin fiber wings seem very delicate…not much gluing area. Also anyone spraying with a silver metal flake be attentive to any slight imperfections as the paint will really bring them out!

 

[neil_w]

Very very nice job. That’s a fun design.

 

[GlenP]

Nice job with that one! Yeah, metallics are always tough to work with, looks like you got good results there.

"It's a submarine as well as a spaceship"
http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri81/81cen16.html

 

[cwbullet]

Great rocket and nice job. Can be tough to fly in the wind.

 

[MALBAR 70]

Nice job! I always liked that design, and I snapped one up when Semroc released.
I like flying it, although I've never had it recover in the intended horizontal configuration.

 

[dpower]

Fantastic! I'd love to see one of these fly. (Mine won't see the outside of the plastic bag for quite some time)

 

[neil_w]

Nice job with that one! Yeah, metallics are always tough to work with, looks like you got good results there.

"It's a submarine as well as a spaceship"
http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri81/81cen16.html

LOL that is some quality ad copy.

 

[billeblurzz]

I finally launched the UFO Invader! On a C5-3!

 

[billeblurzz]

Since I did not rig up the suggested 2 chute mount with external shroud line for a horizontal recovery…I tried a larger chute for a conventional recovery to try to minimize landing damage!

 

[billeblurzz]

Liftoff was slow and steady with the C5-3!

 

[billeblurzz]

It could definitely use more motor but for first flight ok!

 

[billeblurzz]

Well the larger chute did not come out of the body tube and UFO came to the ground in a horizontal free fall!

 

[billeblurzz]

Expecting major damage from the large wings with small gluing surfaces I was pleasantly surprised to find no damage at all! Not even stress fractures along the fillet lines! This rocket needs no chute at all!

 

[billeblurzz]

View attachment IMG_3518.mov

 

[GlenP]

View attachment 614313
Liftoff was slow and steady with the C5-3!

Awesome launch photo! The smoke plume is the shape of the profile of the rocket!