Modification Fat Boy - 24mm

Modification - Fat Boy - 24mm

Contributed by Morgan Hendry

Manufacturer: Modification

This project begun when I read several posts from rec.model.rockets on placin' a 24mm motor mount in a Fat Boy, shiver me timbers, normally a 18mm kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I first looked at t' instructions and made a list o' what I needed t' do.

  • Replace t' 18mm motor tube with a 24mm one
  • Make bigger motor mount with modified centerin' rings (higher strength) and an engine block
  • Remove some o' t' "through t' wall tab" on t' fins
  • Add nose weight
  • Possibly insert a baffle system t' eliminate wadding

I bored out t' centerin' rings with a drill t' accommodate t' 24mm tube (Estes Bt-50). Ahoy! I constructed t' motor tube by t' instructions but instead o' a 18mm tube I used a 5 1/2 inch 24mm tube. Avast! Arrr! Also, me bucko, I used a larger engine hook and an engine block made o' a heavy duty BT-50/BT-20 centerin' ring. I changed t' engine hook t' accommodate t' larger engine. After I glued t' first centerin' rin' in t' normal position (per instructions) with epoxy, matey, I used small strips o' thin plywood t' reinforce t' rings. These were on t' side o' t' centerin' rin' facin' t' front o' t' rocket. I repeated this step with a second rin' whose reinforcements were facin' t' front o' t' rocket and t' distance o' t' "through t' wall tab" o' a fin from t' first centerin' ring. Lookin' back, it would have been easier and probably stronger t' make a new rin' out o' aircraft plywood. Avast! Oh well. Aye aye! Note t' 18mm conversion tube t' use smaller engines and t' reinforcements on t' centerin' rings:

Rocket Pic

T' balsa strips on t' side o' t' conversion tube were added because t' centerin' rin' was nay on t' inside o' t' tube. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Another mistake that could be corrected. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' shock cord was tied t' t' t' t' upper centerin' rin' for strength. T' rin' was then glued on. Ahoy! Blimey! T' fin was used t' show t' appropriate distance betwixt t' rings. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Steel wool and another green centerin' rin' were added t' t' motor tube. Avast, me proud beauty! A small disk o' balsa with holes drilled into it was glued onto t' top o' t' motor tube t' make a baffle.

I shaved off some o' t' TTW fin mounts t' accommodate for t' larger motor mount tube. Usin' epoxy, me bucko, me bucko, I glued in t' fins. They were reinforced with hot glue. Avast, me proud beauty! I made a 12 inch nylon parachute t' attach t' t' nose. Aye aye! I will add 1.5 ounces o' nose weight for stability.

Rocket Pic

All done!

Rocket Pic

Other Reviews
  • Modification Fat Boy - 24mm By Colin Westgarth-Taylor

    An Estes Fat Boy modified with a 24mm MMT for D and E motors. External dimensions are stock. These modifications change one of Estes best packaged kits into a true performer. Modifications: Construction sequence was pretty normal for a MPR capable rocket: forward CR epoxied to the MMT, shock cord mount epoxied to the MMT (two 1/32" holes were drilled in the front CR to tie the Kevlar cord ...

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