Xmas wrapping paper tube rocket

[Lugnut]

I have been working on this off and on in between other things, and since its actually starting to resemble something that might actually get airborne at some point, thought it best to post up some pics.

Heres the tube in question, its a bit larger than the bertha main tube, and somewhere north of 36". It was a nice sturdy tube which made it attractive. Here it is after filling and sanding

 

[Lugnut]

Heres the business end in process. Yep, its a cluster. Made the mounts out of cardboard after tracing and cutting a paper pattern.

 

[Lugnut]

another view

 

[Lugnut]

Here is the first fin cut. Its 3/16 stock balsa that I'll shape into airfoils once set.

 

[Lugnut]

Another view. The fin shape is loosely based on the one from the Hi-Flier, cept much larger.

 

[Lugnut]

Here it is with mount installed and fins attached (before joint beading). Note Centuri Astro for size comparison. This things frickin big! Largest rocket I've made too date.

Now I just have to figure out how to make a good cardboard NC....

 

[jflis]

Check out the nose cone pattern for the FlisKits Midnight Express (free rocket) at: https://fliskits.com/products/rocketkits/kit_detail/midnight_express.htm

Enlarge that pattern to fit, print it on card-stock and you'll have a perfect cone for that, and very simple too

 

[Lugnut]

Thanks for the reference Jim. I actually had stumbled upon the Apogee newsletter that shows the equations for making reducers (and consequently nosecones). I was thinking of a more elongated cone, with a built up shoulder and concentric support rings, filled with foam (and whatever weight might be needed).

Wonder if I can squeeze an ogive out of cardbaord?

 

[BobH48]

Originally posted by Lugnut
Wonder if I can squeeze an ogive out of cardbaord?

Try the nosecone for the cardstock V2.

Its located here: https://www.currell.net/models/mod_free.htm

 

[jerryb]

Originally posted by Lugnut
Thanks for the reference Jim. I actually had stumbled upon the Apogee newsletter that shows the equations for making reducers (and consequently nosecones). I was thinking of a more elongated cone, with a built up shoulder and concentric support rings, filled with foam (and whatever weight might be needed).

Wonder if I can squeeze an ogive out of cardbaord?

there is a company called "Pulse Rate Software" that makes a free program called "Cone Layout"

https://www.pulserate.com

It will allow you to make paper transisitions of any kind.

for cones, you just set the top diameter to 0 and your base angles to 0. you put the dimesnsions you want... and then print the pattern on cardstock. you just have to remember to add a glue tab to the pattern when you cut it out.

I uses do use this program in my machine shop days to layout piping transitions, but have been using it alot for scratch paper cones on the paper rockets i've been making.

later
Jerryb

 

[Lugnut]

Neat program Jerry, thanks!