Wow, very nice! I looked at Stickershock, but it would cost more for the decals than the materials for the rocket. I was going to make my own on decal paper with a laser printer, but you made me realize that there is white in the decals. Can't print white on a laser printer. I don't know what to do now.I did a 4" (244%) and I used 1/8" G10 for the fins. I think 1/4" ply wood would be heavy for that size but it's up to you. Because of how big the fins are on that rocket, you can put alot of weight in the rear and still have a stable rocket. I used the G10 beause I wanted to try it out and I was tired or filling the grains on wood. When you get ready for the stickers, I recommend "Stickershock" good luck and I hope that helps.
Yeah, I think I will go with 1/8". I was thinking it would be cool to have the thickness of the fins match the scale, but I'm afraid they'd be too heavy.Why not 1/8" aircraft ply?
I agree with that as long as you dont want to fly on I's & J's.1/4" balsa would work well for this application if you want to maintain the scale. For a little more robustness, you always have the option of adding some light fiberglass, though it really isn't necessary.
Use Estes style tubing (Big Daddy size) and you could keep it light enough to still fly on E's and F's. Just remember, balsa is a lot stronger than people give it credit for.
I was going to build it with a 2x24mm cluster.1/4" balsa would work well for this application if you want to maintain the scale. For a little more robustness, you always have the option of adding some light fiberglass, though it really isn't necessary.
Use Estes style tubing (Big Daddy size) and you could keep it light enough to still fly on E's and F's. Just remember, balsa is a lot stronger than people give it credit for.
1/4 balsa would most certainly be sufficient then, probably even on two E30's. I would also stick to the Estes-style tubing to keep the overall weight down. BMS sells some 34" stock in the lightweight 3" size.I was going to build it with a 2x24mm cluster.
It will be lightweight tubing. I ordered it from Mercury Engineering.1/4 balsa would most certainly be sufficient then, probably even on two E30's. I would also stick to the Estes-style tubing to keep the overall weight down. BMS sells some 34" stock in the lightweight 3" size.
Totally Agree:1/4 balsa would most certainly be sufficient then, probably even on two E30's. I would also stick to the Estes-style tubing to keep the overall weight down. BMS sells some 34" stock in the lightweight 3" size.
Not to derail the conversation, but where are you going to find a scale rod that thick?I plan on using scale thickness when I build my 8x Mosquito.
The way I am going to do it is by laminating the fins, I suggest you do the same if you would like to keep your red max light.
Cut the main fin shape out of 1/8 inch ply wood, use through the wall tabs. Then cut holes in the center of the fin to lighten it. ( This may not be necessary for somewhat smaller fins on your red max, but for a giant mosquito it is necessary.)Then take two pieces of hard 1/16 inch balsa and cut out the fin shape, and put one on each side of the 1/8 inch ply, covering up the holes (if you have any.)
This way it should have *light* scale thickness fins. I also plan on using some BT-60 tubing for a scale launch lug.![]()