I'm contemplating an upscaled version of my Space-X Enforcer rocket (50% or so, going from an BT-60 to 80 tube), and one thing that concerns me is the fins. The original version used 1/8" balsa, and an upscaled version would use 3/16" (or 1/4" for extra stiffness). I'd like to a) reduce the amount of puttying and sanding ad nausem, and b) keep the weight down so as to minimize the amount of nose weight required to ensure stability.
At what point should I be looking at alternative materials instead of just continuing to use balsa fins? I considered something like the fins that the Estes Super Big Bertha uses, a lightened core piece with thin skins on it, and that may help a bit with weight, but not my other concern.
This upscale will be mostly be using Estes E/F and F composites, as I don't have a level 1 certification yet (have no plans for such right now).
Thoughts?
At what point should I be looking at alternative materials instead of just continuing to use balsa fins? I considered something like the fins that the Estes Super Big Bertha uses, a lightened core piece with thin skins on it, and that may help a bit with weight, but not my other concern.
This upscale will be mostly be using Estes E/F and F composites, as I don't have a level 1 certification yet (have no plans for such right now).
Thoughts?