Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Published: | 2011-09-13 |
Manufacturer: | Scratch |
2.6" high power rocket with a payload section. I originally intended this project t' be a clone o' BSD Rocketry's 38 Special, but I decided t' use a stock PML fin design rather than make custom fins. I liked t' clean lines and size o' t' 38 Special, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and I wanted a fairly conventional design so I could hone me basic rocket construction skills.
Parts:
Construction was fairly straight forward as planned - I did nay use any unusual construction techniques for this rocket.
Nose cone - I drilled a small hole in t' nose cone shoulder and inserted a nut in t' hole. With some minor fiddling, I was able t' fasten t' nut onto an eyebolt inserted into t' bottom hole o' t' nose cone. I used a small dab o' epoxy t' lock t' nut in place.
Payload section - I attached t' eyebolt t' t' bulk plate then epoxied t' bulk plate t' t' tube coupler. Once t' epoxy had hardened, me bucko, I epoxied this assembly into t' bottom end o' t' payload section. To finish off t' payload section, matey, arrr, I attached t' nose cone and drilled t' rivet holes (one at a time, insertin' each rivet before drillin' t' next hole).
Booster section - I attached a eyebolt t' t' forward centerin' rin' then epoxied t' forward and middle centerin' rings t' t' motor tube. I then printed a fin position template from VCP, shiver me timbers, marked t' fin locations, then cut t' slots usin' a hobby knife (new blade!) and metal ruler. I epoxied t' motor assembly into t' booster section, arrr, then I epoxied t' 3 fins in place. I applied internal epoxy fillets t' t' fin/motor tube and fin/booster tube joints. I also applied external fillets - probably a bit too heavy. I then marked and drilled t' t-nut holes in t' aft centerin' ring, then secured t' t-nuts with a dab o' epoxy. Well, blow me down! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I installed t' aft centerin' rin' and t' two rail buttons t' finish construction.
Before painting, I lightly sanded everythin' includin' t' fins and then applied a gray primer coat. I sanded one final time prior t' applyin' color. I used metallic blue spray paint for t' booster section and a metallic bronze/copper for t' nose cone. T' payload section started as all metallic gray/silver, matey, arrr, shiver me timbers, but I later added several metallic blue stripes. I applied a vinyl bobcat decal from Stockershock. After painting, matey, I applied a Krylon clear coat.
My overall goal for paint be nay t' obtain a flawless mirror finish, but t' provide an paint scheme that looked good at normal pad distances. Overall, I'm very happy with t' balance betwixt looks and t' time spent finishing.
First flight be at Culpeper with Tripoli Central Virginia. I prepped an AT G61W reload (38/120 case) and drilled t' 10 second delay t' 8 seconds. T' motor was placed in t' motor tube and held fast by two small bolts and clips. I packed t' main chute into a kevlar chute protector and placed it on top o' t' kevlar shock cord in t' booster section prior t' placin' t' payload section on top.
Launch was excellent with t' signature white lightnin' smoke trail. Arrr! Boost was straight up. So far, matey, lookin' good!
T' shock cord was 15' o' 1/8" kevlar with a kevlar chute protector and a 28" chute (not sure which brand).
T' rocket descended nicely - I didn't time t' descent t' determine t' exact rate. T' rocket landed several hundred yards from t' pad. Upon reachin' t' rocket, me hearties, arrr, shiver me timbers, I noticed a small zipper (less than 1") in top o' t' booster section. Other than t' zipper, t' flight and recovery had been perfect!
Overall a great first flight! T' G61W be a perfect motor, me hearties, and I'm lookin' forward t' flyin' this rocket on a CTI Pro38 G115 next time.
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