The back end of that looks a little like the Colonial Viper from (the original) Battlestar Galactica. I've thought of using one of those for my first PMC, until I saw how rare and expensive they are.
What did you do rocket wise today?
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I got some more masking and painting done this evening...
The Vipox from Apogee. It's part of the 25 rocket plans he offers for signing up to his emails.
MoreRockets has a Viper... https://morerockets.com/Reproduction-Rockets/Reproduction-Model-Rocket-Kits/Estes-Colonel-Viper
Nice! I look forward to flying some C5s, including in my Centuri. Actually I look forward to flying *anything*
heada
Well-Known Member
I didn't know of any vendors with a viper kit. Both the standard and super are on backorder but I placed an order for them anyway.
Started installing some 2-56 LumaDyne inserts into my 54mm FWFG project, having received them recently from the good folks at Apogee. This was a first for me.
Used my TRF inspired fin slotting jig and Dremel router accessory to hold everything in place as the holes were pilot drilled through the G12 Profusion FWFG upper body and the G12 FWFG coupler underneath. Final drill by hand to 4.5mm, which is larger than the 5/32" stated hole size in the instructions but tests in a spare G10 coupler proved this was the right drill-bit for this job. Dry test fit afterwards revealed all perfectly aligned and great fit. Pleased with the result. Fixing in place with JB Weld, and will consider fairing the outside edges later on.
Also installed conformal rail guides to my 38mm minimum diameter FG home-rolled project yesterday. This project has been about learning and practising new skills such as rolling fibreglass, laminating to make plate/fins from scratch, and tip to tip glassing for MD. Today I sprayed it with yellow Brake Caliper paint from Dupli-Color, just so it's a bit tougher and maybe a bit more heat resistant for trans-sonic and supersonic in it's future career, should the rocket gods find it worthy. Shot two light coats and then a wetter one as per the instructions. 7 days to cure before black detailing gets added, also in Dupli-Color brake caliper paint.
Used my TRF inspired fin slotting jig and Dremel router accessory to hold everything in place as the holes were pilot drilled through the G12 Profusion FWFG upper body and the G12 FWFG coupler underneath. Final drill by hand to 4.5mm, which is larger than the 5/32" stated hole size in the instructions but tests in a spare G10 coupler proved this was the right drill-bit for this job. Dry test fit afterwards revealed all perfectly aligned and great fit. Pleased with the result. Fixing in place with JB Weld, and will consider fairing the outside edges later on.
Also installed conformal rail guides to my 38mm minimum diameter FG home-rolled project yesterday. This project has been about learning and practising new skills such as rolling fibreglass, laminating to make plate/fins from scratch, and tip to tip glassing for MD. Today I sprayed it with yellow Brake Caliper paint from Dupli-Color, just so it's a bit tougher and maybe a bit more heat resistant for trans-sonic and supersonic in it's future career, should the rocket gods find it worthy. Shot two light coats and then a wetter one as per the instructions. 7 days to cure before black detailing gets added, also in Dupli-Color brake caliper paint.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Sand and paint, repeat
Sand, paint, repeat... AMW Big Bertha fins.
BDB
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Would you mind sharing some more details (or a link) to your "TRF inspired fin slotting jig and Dremel router accessory?" Thanks.
More paint...
russell_t
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This morning my wife and I took our grandson to a local park, where he enjoyed being the one who got to "push the button" on three nice launches (one of which is linked below) of a Big Bertha that I built in 1991.
I know how important it is to use a mask now, but it really does feel good when you take it off... 
Updated ye ole rocket wall, installed Skywriter Deluxe and Blackfish.
It would appear that ye ole rocket wall is now pretty much full. There are a few nooks and crannies available for little stuff, but not for the 24"-30" rockets that I normally build. This will create a challenge going forward. I have a few ideas.
It would appear that ye ole rocket wall is now pretty much full. There are a few nooks and crannies available for little stuff, but not for the 24"-30" rockets that I normally build. This will create a challenge going forward. I have a few ideas.
Very nice, that pencil looks particularly massive between the Diamond Cutter and Alcubierre. I didn't realize it was larger than PD II. I also just noticed you have a crayon rocket to go along with the pencil.
1. Hooks on the rafters/beams for hanging horizontally.
2. Build a rocket barn in the back yard. Work station, rocket storage area, A/C, big screen TV...........
Awesome launch! Looks like a nice big open field too!
Ready to fly..!
russell_t
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Thanks! That field is one of the better locations in the area, and at less than a mile from home it's very convenient.
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I read a crucial chapter in Stine's "Handbook of Model Rocketry" in which he discusses equations for calculating altitude. He begins simply, without considering air drag. Without that, the equations looked deceptively easy. Then he had to bring drag in and explain that one has to calculate it taking into consideration the rocket's angle of attack, it's velocity, it's overall weight, the changing weight of the motor as it empties its fuel and other factors. Not only that, this needs to get calculated ideally for every 0.1 second of the flight's duration. He said he made these calculations by hand once and that was more than enough. Hello computer software.
Speaking of that, the book mentions RockSim but it doesn't mention OpenRocket.
Overall, it's a great read and I'm filling my brain up everyday.
Speaking of that, the book mentions RockSim but it doesn't mention OpenRocket.
Overall, it's a great read and I'm filling my brain up everyday.
Ordered a few pull-pin switch sets from Lab Rat along with a couple of forged eye bolts. Getting started on the av bay for the Nike Zeus/Spartan...
More work...
Tested out my DIY launch controller on a windy day. It's so awesome but will keep the Estes controller as backup. My soldering work is not the best.
Congrats to you both!
Love your videos but holey moley are you standing too close to the pad in this one. Need longer wires on that launch controller!
Yeppers.
15 ft. for D motor and smaller.
30 ft. for E thru G.
Per NAR model rocket (low power) safety code.
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