Which Model for B Streamer Duration

[uncle_vanya]

I need help choosing a B Streamer Duration model for a local contest. The models I am considering are:

Fliskits Cougar 660 - Modified (https://www.fliskits.com/products/01prod_fs.htm)
DarkStar (https://www.wooshrocketry.org/Designs/Mark Talkington/C_PD-SD_Model.pdf)
ASTRE (https://nar.org/competition/plans/pdf/astrepdsd.pdf)
ASP (https://www.asp-rocketry.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=534&Category=176)
QCR Straight Up I (https://cybertravelog.com/qcr/rockets.html)

The contest is in mid January. So far I am leaning towards the Fliskits or DarkStar designs. The Fliskits design (if used) would be stretched and the 13mm boat-tail and motor mount would be left out.

One reason I am considering using a KIT for this is that I am having a lot of trouble finding parts locally (like the Balsa nosecone). The time pressures and shipping costs make it hard to order a bunch of components from different vendors to assemble the DarkStar design.

I am looking around through my other rockets for parts. I have tracing paper and I have kevlar and 1/32nd inch plywood. I don't have the exact tape specified and I don't have any 18mm engine blocks (but I can fabricate one). I'm also having trouble finding 18mm body tubes locally - but I could fabricate one from cardstock.

 

[jflis]

To convert the Cougar 660 to 18mm you will want to replace the body tube (kit length is 8.625" long) with the BT-20-12 (12" long). That will give you enough room for the streamer which is 6" X 60"

I am not sure of the other designs, but it looks as though you either need a tower to launch them or glue a launch lug to the rocket (approx 15% drag penalty). The Cougar 660 comes with a pop lug which eliminates the need of a tower.

jim

 

[uncle_vanya]

To convert the Cougar 660 to 18mm you will want to replace the body tube (kit length is 8.625" long) with the BT-20-12 (12" long). That will give you enough room for the streamer which is 6" X 60"

I am not sure of the other designs, but it looks as though you either need a tower to launch them or glue a launch lug to the rocket (approx 15% drag penalty). The Cougar 660 comes with a pop lug which eliminates the need of a tower.

jim

Agrrrh... you caught me. Jim I emailed you and you gave me the info on the Cougar a few days ago. I was trying to get some feedback from others before making my decision. I realized I had a lot of the parts to build the Darkstar - and it seemed a shame to spend money on the Cougar if I could spend my gift certificate on something more uniquely Fliskits.

But no decision yet.

 

[lessgravity]

Now I know what I'm competing against

Orders I make for balsa nose cones from Semroc show up the next day - because Semroc is in NC. So if you need parts it's still an alternative.

 

[jflis]

Agrrrh... you caught me. Jim I emailed you and you gave me the info on the Cougar a few days ago. I was trying to get some feedback from others before making my decision. I realized I had a lot of the parts to build the Darkstar - and it seemed a shame to spend money on the Cougar if I could spend my gift certificate on something more uniquely Fliskits.

But no decision yet.

LOL I knew the question sounded very familiar but I go through a LOT of mail (and a lot of forums too for that matter), and it's easy for me to miss a connection...

There are dozens of great solutions available, that's for sure. Just keep asking questions so that you can get the parts you need for YOUR solution

 

[uncle_vanya]

Now I know what I'm competing against

Orders I make for balsa nose cones from Semroc show up the next day - because Semroc is in NC. So if you need parts it's still an alternative.

Flattering --- but no. You are far more likely to win than I am.

My daughter (8) is planning to fly in this contest as well. She may use a Midnight Express in one of the events. Do you think it would be competitive at her level? It is pretty light.

 

[lessgravity]

I've talked Paul into using a Midnight Express also. Extend the body tube slightly so that you can tape and retain the motor and also attach the shock cord to the CG. I believe that the Midnight Express will have a good chance of winning.

 

[gpoehlein]

Flattering --- but no. You are far more likely to win than I am.

My daughter (8) is planning to fly in this contest as well. She may use a Midnight Express in one of the events. Do you think it would be competitive at her level? It is pretty light.

For what it is worth, I took second at one of our regional contests last year in A Parachute Duration using a 13mm downscale of the Midnight Express (96 and 74 secs on my two flights) Go for it!

 

[chanstevens]

I need help choosing a B Streamer Duration model for a local contest. The models I am considering are:

Fliskits Cougar 660 - Modified (https://www.fliskits.com/products/01prod_fs.htm)
DarkStar (https://www.wooshrocketry.org/Designs/Mark Talkington/C_PD-SD_Model.pdf)
ASTRE (https://nar.org/competition/plans/pdf/astrepdsd.pdf)
ASP (https://www.asp-rocketry.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=534&Category=176)
QCR Straight Up I (https://cybertravelog.com/qcr/rockets.html)

The contest is in mid January. So far I am leaning towards the Fliskits or DarkStar designs. The Fliskits design (if used) would be stretched and the 13mm boat-tail and motor mount would be left out.

One reason I am considering using a KIT for this is that I am having a lot of trouble finding parts locally (like the Balsa nosecone). The time pressures and shipping costs make it hard to order a bunch of components from different vendors to assemble the DarkStar design.

I am looking around through my other rockets for parts. I have tracing paper and I have kevlar and 1/32nd inch plywood. I don't have the exact tape specified and I don't have any 18mm engine blocks (but I can fabricate one). I'm also having trouble finding 18mm body tubes locally - but I could fabricate one from cardstock.

My two cents':

The pop lug approach in the Cougars is probably the most critical performance differentiator among the options you listed, though a pop lug could easily work for any of them. Of course, if you're not familiar with them, then get the Cougar just for the "kit" of the pop lug and excellent instructions.

Personally, I usually fly something more along the lines of a Dark Star. The Cougar 660 really works better on lower end (A) streamer, since the boattail reduces drag and allows for a larger streamer than you'd typically see in A events.

The other key, second to pop lug, is what you use for a streamer. Flis, ASP and QCR all include tracing paper streamers in their kits, which is probably the most common and reasonably competitive material. Just be sure to block out a good hour or so to fold the streamer(s), prep TWO for the contest, and make sure they are not too snug in the body tube, a common error that leads to violent ejection and separation DQ's.

--Chan Stevens