What did you do rocket wise today?

[John Kemker]

Mixed up a batch of Aeropoxy PR2032/PH3660, fumed silica, and white pigment. Filled pinholes and chips on the 'Smoke. Tomorrow, sanding, sanding, sanding...

 

[tsmith1315]

Sanded the big band-aid on the EZI booster enough to take paint, but leaving it visible as a battle scar. Got a couple coats of primer on it, too. The payload section is already done and the nose cone is close enough. Gotta get a couple coats of white on it and hope for the roll pattern.



Also got most of a backbone decal made for the Barracuda, visible above. Working on the nosecone head decal tonight, and still considering what font for the name would fit in with the design. I'm open to suggestions.

This is what I had cut before I considered making other decals for it:



Alternatively, I could make stripes to go under the backbone "ribs", but I'm running out of time for much more on this one before GRITS.

 

[Jeff Curtis]

Ordered the Loc Semper Fi today. Will try for a L1 certification next spring. Also repaired a couple of rockets in preparation for NSL East this weekend.

 

[86mustang408w]

Lowered myself to look at Facebook where someone recommended 100 feet of shock cord for a 4" diameter 54" long rocket, and he did that back in the day because he could....I think I'm done inter-netting for today.

 

[jqavins]

Also got most of a backbone decal made for the Barracuda, visible above. Working on the nosecone head decal tonight, and still considering what font for the name would fit in with the design. I'm open to suggestions.

This is what I had cut before I considered making other decals for it:

View attachment 614424

Alternatively, I could make stripes to go under the backbone "ribs", but I'm running out of time for much more on this one before GRITS.

How about picking a font that looks good when stretched taller and slanted, then spacing and positioning so that each letter is also a rib?

 

[tsmith1315]

How about picking a font that looks good when stretched taller and slanted, then spacing and positioning so that each letter is also a rib?

Neat idea!

There are 12 ribs/stripes forward of the rail guides and 9 letters. That would leave the name centered nicely. I’m thinking a less futurey font would fit the style better.

A different name could be useful as well.

 

[jqavins]

"The Barracuda" would get you to 12 letters, if you can figure out how to handle the space.

 

[kjhambrick]

Doing a little glass work on Bad Idea.

View attachment 612382

@bad_idea ?

Stephen, are you having some reconstruction work done ?

-- kjh

 

[kjhambrick]

I am learning to interpret Blue Raven high_rate and low_rate files so I can port the tools I wrote more than 25-years ago for the 16 Hz, 8-bit, 1-DoF AltAcc to a modern system

I just started porting the AltAcc Launch-Detect algorithms for the 500 Hz, 12-bit 6-DoF Blue Raven.

It is coming along, but BOY do I have a lot to learn !

-- kjh

Edit: Blie -> Blue

 

[kjhambrick]

Success! Got my L1 cert yesterday, and here's my corny video of the event!

Nice rocket and flight @Gastrok !

Belated congratulations !

Smoosh is a cutie !

My dad was an English Setter man.

Will you be training him to find and point at your rockets ?

Thanks for the video !

-- kjh

 

[tsmith1315]

I got a couple of light coats of white on the EZI booster last night. Enough to stack it up and see the new look coming along.

 

[86mustang408w]

I laid down the base coat of white on my Vanderburn Leviathan kit.

I love the Leviathan, did you do a build thread on that one? I'd like to see how its bullt. Mine was at that point for about 10 years, and a few months ago had an incident. Fell down the stairs with mine, lol....Ugh. Its not bad but it had to sand it all down again, and have sanded the NC since the 1st picture. It's flown twice like that, maiden was a F42-4T, then F23-4FJ a month or so later. I'm ready for paint now im just not sure what ill do.

Im thinking about cutting the shoulder off and putting a bulkhead/eyelet in. Not that it has issue with ejection but the nosecone by itself isn't heavy enough. It always seem to get tangled around my chute protector/burrito and the chute doesn't open well. I'm thinking a little more NC weight will help pull out that quicklink, chute swivel, etc. Now the nosecone will come out but just flops around the heavier chute protector. I'm working on that before paint though....Very nice!!

 

[86mustang408w]

Nice rocket and flight @Gastrok !

Belated congratulations !

Smoosh is a cutie !

My dad was an English Setter man.

Will you be training him to find and point at your rockets ?

Thanks for the video !

-- kjh

Yes, congratulations Gastrok! I went over to YouTube & liked/Subscribed.

 

[86mustang408w]

Lowered myself to look at Facebook where someone recommended 100 feet of shock cord for a 4" diameter 54" long rocket, and he did that back in the day because he could....I think I'm done inter-netting for today.

Well he says the rocket was 4" in diameter and 80" long. Still 100 feet just seems a bit much...But to each his own...

 

[86mustang408w]

Found this dolly the other day, perfect. That closet behind this work stand(I bought the hobby mat new most was free)is getting cleaned out and replaced with rockets/supplies and or maybe a paint booth with outside ventilation...

And learning the correct terms for "Know Nuts November"...

 

[RokitFlyr]

Well...yesterday. Rounded up parts for a BT-60 size BullPup. 3/32 basswood fins, ttw. Cut on the bandsaw, then match sanded.
Bt is marked for the slots. Tailcone is the same as on the Sprint XL.
24mm MMT.
300# Kevlar for the shock cord mount from the motor tube to top of airframe.
Nosecone is the same as the Estes Patriot. All stuff I had in the stash.
Will upscale the Estes decals and print on waterslide paper.
Just something to do for the winter.
I have an Estes BullPup 12d kit built for 24mm ( it IS a 12d, so...) and fly it a ton.

 

[Hobie1dog]

, sanded, filled and more sanding

 

[Gastrok]

Nice rocket and flight @Gastrok !

Belated congratulations !

Smoosh is a cutie !

My dad was an English Setter man.

Will you be training him to find and point at your rockets ?

Thanks for the video !

-- kjh

Thanks.

Sadly Smoosh (Seamus) is no-longer with us. He was a Brittney Spaniel/English Setter mix and the best dog ever. That picture is him when he was a pup.

 

[Astronaut Cheeseball]

The Estes SR-71 #1942 reissued marks the 20th year anniversary of the famous Skunk Works reconnaissance aircraft. I walked into my local hobby store back in 2003 and purchased three for just $17.99 each. I built them the same year and flew each one only on C6-5's. This one pictured has endured the most service out of the three with over 45 flights and undergone several upgrades & repairs to remain flyable throughout the years. I Added significant nose weight, the recovery system includes elastic and kevlar shock cord, a nomex heat cloth for heat protection eliminating the need for ejection wadding. The 18" parachute that comes with the kit I replaced with a smaller 15" unit w/ attachment snap swivel.

The 45th flight pays homage to an OOP rocket that I haven't flown in over a decade and continues to bring a smile on my face each and every flight. A rocket that for everything it's been through over the past 2 decades never disappoints and returns back to earth every single time. A rocket I purchased over 20 years ago that would become a favorite in a long fleet of flyers and a highly desired collectable that don't get launched very often. A rocket that unfortunately you can no longer walk into your local hobby store and find on the wall for $17.99

Flight Video:
https://clipchamp.com/watch/EupRAshHGvW

 

[SolarYellow]

Redrew the OG Wizard logo and Stars & Bars wrap. PITA, but it's good.

 

[Raythain]

Ground tested my first DD system. Everything worked!

Now to see if I have the guts to fly it at NSL this weekend…

 

[n3vqw]

1. I ordered some A8-0's and A8-5's from Hobbylink for my Epic II. I also ordered some more A8-3's
2. I painted a second coat of gloss white paint on my Antar.
3. I painted my Epic II.
4. I wrote my first post under the introduction section on this site.

 

[John Kemker]

Sanded down the pinhole and chip patches on the 'Smoke. Then shot AutoBorne White Sealer over it. Need to do some more coats tomorrow after work, then shoot regular white this weekend.

 

[frogglicker]

Success! Got my L1 cert yesterday, and here's my corny video of the event!

Congratulations! Great video!

 

[J Blatz]

I flew my Astron Elliptic 5 times in my back yard. All 1/2 A. It was a good time, tho got a tree involved at the end.

 

[86mustang408w]

Ordered the Loc Semper Fi today. Will try for a L1 certification next spring. Also repaired a couple of rockets in preparation for NSL East this weekend.

I saw that its a nice rocket when I browsed the site a few days ago. Where are you planing the cert at? I mean club/field? I wish you the best of luck!

 

[FunTimesIndeed]

I love the Leviathan, did you do a build thread on that one? I'd like to see how its bullt. Mine was at that point for about 10 years, and a few months ago had an incident. Fell down the stairs with mine, lol....Ugh. Its not bad but it had to sand it all down again, and have sanded the NC since the 1st picture. It's flown twice like that, maiden was a F42-4T, then F23-4FJ a month or so later. I'm ready for paint now im just not sure what ill do.

Im thinking about cutting the shoulder off and putting a bulkhead/eyelet in. Not that it has issue with ejection but the nosecone by itself isn't heavy enough. It always seem to get tangled around my chute protector/burrito and the chute doesn't open well. I'm thinking a little more NC weight will help pull out that quicklink, chute swivel, etc. Now the nosecone will come out but just flops around the heavier chute protector. I'm working on that before paint though....Very nice!!

No build thread on it, but I did wrap it up today.

 

[86mustang408w]

No build thread on it, but I did wrap it up today.View attachment 614577

Nice. You make the decals yourself?

 

[86mustang408w]

I flew my Astron Elliptic 5 times in my back yard. All 1/2 A. It was a good time, tho got a tree involved at the end.

You have a drone or fishing pole? I used a heavy sinker and there it at it. Or get 1 1/2" pvc pipes and couplers/make one long pole, you could cut the branch too with a saw taped to that....Just some ideas..I used a modified Tee-shirt gun with a tennis balls hooked a wire spool, lol. Pumped it up to 100 psi with a bike pump then shot the ball at it. It almost came down, I think just a cheap grappling hook from Walmart or Amazon would work great too with a longer rope to throw it up and grab the shock cord.

 

[FunTimesIndeed]

Nice. You make the decals yourself?

No, bought 'em from StickerShock. Are you guys out here making your own decals?!?!