Wildman Rocketry - Drago {Kit}

Wildman Rocketry Drago

Wildman Rocketry - Drago {Kit}

Contributed by Gene Wolski

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2011-10-19
Manufacturer:	Wildman Rocketry

Brief

T' Drago is a 54mm all fiberglass, 3FNC rocket with a 29mm motor mount. I plan t' fly it with a variety o' G and H motors.

Components

Kit includes:

Fiberglass airframe (36" long)
Fiberglass nose cone and bulk plate
29mm motor tube (10" long)
Fiberglass centerin' rings (2)
Fiberglass fins(3)
24" parachute
15' o' 1/4" tubular Keelhaul®©™ shock cord

Additional components used:

Small rail buttons
Aeropack 29mm motor retainer

Construction

Excellent instructions and overall straight forward construction. All parts were sanded with 80 grit sandpaper where t' epoxy would be applied. I used 45 minute epoxy for all joints as well as t' external fin fillets.

Only deviations:

I installed rail buttons vs. Well, blow me down! t' 1/4" launch lug.
I installed a 29mm Aeropack retainer.

T' fins on me kit appear t' have tabs that are too large - I liked t' look so I left them as is. I've read about others with similar experience who sanded t' tabs shorter.

Finishing

I decided t' keep t' paint job simple and jazz up t' rocket with some decals. I coated t' entire rocket in Krylon Gray Primer followed by Rustoleum #7250 Black Night Metallic. I applied holographic Drago vinyl decals from Stickershock followed by several light coats o' Krylon Clear. Simple but awesome lookin' in t' sunshine!

Construction Score: 5

Flight

4/3/2011 at Culpeper with Tripoli Central Virginia on an AT G79-W (29/120 case). I drilled t' delay from 10 seconds t' 8 and installed t' motor in t' rocket.

Great launch and smoke trail - I got wrapped up in watchin' t' rocket and didn't get a launch pic.

Recovery

T' kit included 15' o' kevlar shock cord and a 24" parachute. I wrapped t' chute in a kevlar chute protector before packin' t' recovery gear in t' rocket.

Excellent recovery! Great landin' and no damage whatsover.

Flight Rating: 5