Model Rocket Building Blog
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 1, PartsI'm basing my C engine Egg Lofter design on the old Competition Model Rockets Robin design. To see the CMR catalog: CLICK HERE I'm really doing a lot of guessing with my competition designs. I know you have to keep them light and aerodynamic. The only NAR competition I did was in 1975 and 1976. ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 2, Egg Capsule PrepThe cut edges of the capsule halves were a little off. The cut ends have to be flat for the end to end taped fit. It's a simple fix to sand off the rough cuts with 200 grit on a sanding block. Two holes are "drilled" at the bottom of one capsule half. Don't blindly drill the holes with the tip of ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 3, Egg Capsule PrepThe supplied Kevlar line is laced through the drilled holes and securely tied. I used a square knot. The knot is inside the lower capsule half. The knot was "set" with a small drop of white glue. A larger single hole is cut into the flat bottom of the 18mm shoulder. Again draw a circle with a ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 4, Joining the CapsuleI also bought the foam egg protector from Apogee. I was surprised by how well it fit into the capsule halves. To be honest, I don't know much about NAR competitions. I figured I'll need every advantage to have a shot! Here's the finished capsule. The halves are held together with a wrap of tape. ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 5, 18" Parachute KitI purchased some Hang Time "Over Easy" parachutes from ASP Rocketry. This parachute is designed for NAR Eggloft Competition so it is reinforced. The shroud lines run over and are taped to the top of the canopy. 1/4 mil Mylar and 18" diameter. I also have some 12" Mylar parachutes. I'll pick the ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 6, ASP 18" Parachute KitThe parachute is "spike folded" to find its center. Mark the center point with a Sharpie. The shroud lines are pre-cut. Even up the ends and fold at the center. Mark the center with a Sharpie. Set the center mark on the shroud line at the center mark on the parachute. Tape the shroud line at the ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 7, First Shroud AttemptI went to the Payload Bay website to use the Transition Tool. http://www.payloadbay.com/page-Tools.html I figured a long shroud would reduce drag. The problem is, with this long a shroud, how do punch hole for the altimeter or use a pop launch lug? I didn't think about this until after the shroud ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 9, Smaller Shroud & Pop LugI realized there would be a problem with the long shroud. How can I make vent holes for the altimeter with the shroud in the way? While I would have liked the long shroud for less drag, I needed more body tube exposed below the shroud for the vent holes. I went back to PayloadBay.com and printed ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, Part 8, Fin Airfoil ShapingThe fins were made using 1/32" thick plywood. I was able to cut them out with scissors, something you couldn't do with balsa. Mentioned in an earlier build, you can easily gauge the thickness by seeing the ply layers as you sand the airfoil. The fins got a wipe of CA and smooth sanding with 400 ...[Read More]
NARAM Egg Lofter Build, FinishedI can hear the readers now: "Paint adds weight! Why are you painting a competition model?" It's just me, I like a smooth, colorful model. The glue fillets on the natural wood fins showed up on the finished model. Not a big deal, just something to could watch for the next time around. My c ...[Read More]
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