SSSSOOOOOO LONG!

[Theory]

Time to build the highest flying kit Estes has ever produced. Aim is to build these more or less stock with only minor modifications to the recovery system for longevity. Yes, looking to build a robust recovery system for a minimum diameter two stager ; - )

 

[James Owen]

Looks like a fun rocket. Seems like it could make good use of a nice small tracker.
Could probably haul on something like a G80-F15. Don’t know how feasible that setup is though.

 

[Theory]

Will build these one at a time as to incorporate any “lessons learned” into the second build.

The parts are top notch. Heavy tubes and a darn cool nose cone. The fins will work for the intended motors, though would upgrade to basswood if I was going to fly composite F and G motors. *might consider that for the second one as sending one of these on a G38 would get close to 5,000’ at nearly 500MPH

Parts:




Fins:



Close up for those who want the measurements:

 

[Theory]

@James Owen

Not sure I see this as a good candidate for staging composite to black powder, thought will absolutely fly the full tilt F15 to F15 this fall at Battlepark!

 

[Art Upton]

Looks like a fun rocket. Seems like it could make good use of a nice small tracker.
Could probably haul on something like a G80-F15. Don’t know how feasible that setup is though.

Back in the late 80s and early 90s composite to BP staging was easy due to the available product back then that is not now.

 

[Theory]

Back in the late 80s and early 90s composite to BP staging was easy due to the available product back then that is not now.

True story

 

[Hobie1dog]

F motor to another F?

 

[Theory]

Thinking this will be a fun single stage flyer on single use E motors. The Estes E16 and new Aerotech E24 Classic. Simple prep, no muss, no fuss : - ))

 

[DigBaddy]

Thinking this will be a fun single stage flyer on single use E motors. The Estes E16 and new Aerotech E24 Classic. Simple prep, no muss, no fuss : - ))

And single stage fun on a huge assortment of adapted 24mm motors too.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

What are your recovery system modifications? If you aren’t using a tracker, maybe a long Mylar streamer and good binoculars are in order.

 

[bad_idea]

What are your recovery system modifications? If you aren’t using a tracker, maybe a long Mylar streamer and good binoculars are in order.

Along with name and contact info printed on the body.

 

[Theory]

What are your recovery system modifications? If you aren’t using a tracker, maybe a long Mylar streamer and good binoculars are in order.

Will go with a Kevlar shock cord and a 6" X 60" thin mill streamer from Top Flight. Also going to look at adding a small chute for lower flight to make landings easier on the airframe.

The rocket has an 8" payload bay incorporated into the design, will see if our clubs tracker will fit. Thinking it might.

 

[tsmith1315]

The parts are top notch. Heavy tubes and a darn cool nose cone.

Good info, big thanks for noting that!

An Eggfinder Mini could be an easy upgrade.

 

[Renaissance Man]

Would the featherweight GPS tracker fit into the payload bay?

 

[Scott_650]

Would the featherweight GPS tracker fit into the payload bay?

It’s 1.67x.8” so it certainly should.

 

[SolarYellow]

This is like the bumbling, "slow" big brother of what a bunch of people are hopefully building for the G80 shootout at LDRS.

 

[tsmith1315]

It’s 1.67x.8” so it certainly should.

So Long is 29mm ID, isn't it?

 

[Scott_650]

So Long is 29mm ID, isn't it?

Yes so as long as the payload bay is long enough for the Featherweight and battery it would be a good choice.

 

[Back_at_it]

Nice looking Kit. Looking at that nose cone I can't help but think we're going to be getting a Pro Series Blue Sapphire at some point. It only makes sense to do so with the limited run on the originals.

Depending on what kind of price I can find on one of these in the future, I might pick one up but I'm not interested in staging. Mine would be built single stage. There's no where around here to fly it with any reasonable expectation of recovery even on a single 29mm F motor.

 

[Theory]

My thought was to build a "pro series" Xtreme. A true 29mm dagger of a rocket right there.

...may have to do that here soon. Have an Xtreme in my fleet as its fun on A motors at my neighborhood field and I love it. A 29mm "full send" version definitely fits my flying style.

 

[Back_at_it]

My thought was to build a "pro series" Extreme. A true 29mm dagger of a rocket right there.

...may have to do that here soon. Have an Extreme in my fleet as its fun on A motors at my neighborhood field and I love it. A 29mm "full send" version definitely fits my flying style.

The fin shape is already pretty close. Isn't the Extreme pretty much a High Flyer with paper fins and a conical nose cone?

 

[Theory]

Yes the Xtreme and High Flyer have the same shape fins however the Xtreme is longer. …and the So Long sustainer fins are “close” but not that close

 

[Art Upton]

Close enough for me

 

[Theory]

Worked on the fins this fins and prepped the booster and lower sustainer tubes. Lines were drawn using my trusty angle aluminum. Then sanded along the line with 150 grit to allow the glue to easily “wick” in. Lightly re-drew the line and we’re good.

Went with a fairly aggressive airfoil on the sustainer fins and simply “knocked the edges off” the booster fins.








Huge fan of this stuff for these rockets:



You know what’s going on here:

 

[Art Upton]

You know what’s going on here:

Yea that dreaded time if the wood glue is not Tacky enough as soon as you walk away the fin falls over

 

[Theory]

Yea that dreaded time if the wood glue is not Tacky enough as soon as you walk away the fin falls over

Seen that movie a few times!

 

[Ez2cDave]

If, and when, Estes releases the "E60" core-burner motors ( hopefully, there will be an E60-0 ), imagine the "SO LONG" on an E60 - H13 combo . . . "BYE-BYE" !

 

[Theory]

If, and when, Estes releases the "E60" core-burner motors ( hopefully, there will be an E60-0 ), imagine the "SO LONG" on an E60 - H13 combo . . . "BYE-BYE" !

Not sure about that combo here. This really isn’t the rocket for BP - composite staging

 

[Ez2cDave]

Not sure about that combo here. This really isn’t the rocket for BP - composite staging

I think it would be pretty easy, using "old school" staging methods.

A length of home-made "igniter wick" would be inserted into the H13 end-burner. A short length would protrude from the nozzle. When the E60-0 burns through, the igniter wick is lit and then, in turn, the H13 is ignited. To "speed up" the burn of the igniter wick, it can be "sheathed" with heat-shrink tubing, leaving just the "head" fully-exposed . . . The burn is nearly instantaneous, when confined in such a manner.

"Back in the day", Thermalite would have been the material of choice, but there are alternatives. ( PDF below, article by Dan Williams )

Dave F.

 

[prfesser]

Correction: the article is from Dan Williams; only the comment at the end is mine. Dan is an outstanding amateur pyrotechnician and his (former) web page can be found with a search. There are other alternatives for rapid fire transfer; I'll post in the Research (Restricted) forum if there's interest.