aviator
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I should have started this a while ago, but I was too lazy, and I just now got around to it. I most likely won't have this rocket flying on L1 motors until next NARAM or there abouts, so it isn't a big deal anyways.
I've been messing around with the idea of getting my L1 for a while, but my brother gave me the kick I needed to do it. I set a couple of goals for myself to make the experience a little more fun and rewarding. They were:
1.) Don't do a simple 3 or 4FNC rocket.
2.) Reuse parts from a salvaged LOC Norad. I didn't want to waste them; I loaded an F40 incorrectly a while back and blew the Norad apart with a forward closure failure. I destroyed the motor tube and pulled apart an glue joint or two in the process. The parachute was slightly singed, but reusable.
3.) Inline with #2, keep costs as low as possible.
The inspiration for this build came when I came home from NARAM-49 (fun times ). While I was gone, my brother had volunteered to do a couple of launches for a Space-Themed Vacation Bible School at a local church. One of the kits he'd purchased for a last minute build was an Estes Guardian. I liked the kit, and when I was looking through some pictures of massive HPR Estes Mosquito upgrades, my brother basically said that I should upscale the Guardian. So I did. This was pretty much the result of that inspiration and him nagging me to get it done. Here's a synopsis of the build.
I started off with these parts:
Nose section from a LOC Norad (PNC2.14, AR3.00-2.14, Length of 2.14" Airframe)
3"x36" Mailing Tube (Cheaper than Airframe tube)
A sheet of 1/8" Plywood
38mm MMT Tube
3 LOC3.00-1.52 Centering rings
LOC 28" Nylon 'chute
10' of 400lb. Kevlar Cord
5' of 1/2 Flat Elastic
1-1/2" U-bolt
Various nuts, bolts, and washers for motor retention
The build was pretty straight forward except for the three individual fin sets and several new construction techniques. I had never used epoxy in large quantities before, and the idea of constructing the fin can outside the rocket was new to me too. Other than that, it was a massive version of all the other rockets I've built.
Enough typing for now though, onto the build pics.
Parts:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155057627/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1161/1155057627_10961f1256_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3579" /></a>
Upper Section:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155916282/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1268/1155916282_c1214117ab_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3582" /></a>
Fin Can:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155921860/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1145/1155921860_190426c3ab_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3585" /></a>
Motor Retention:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155074237/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/1155074237_df58217108_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCF3587" /></a>
The Final Product:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155059325/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/1155059325_18ad2c08e5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSCF3590" /></a>
Overall this was a really fun build and a big learning experience. As much as I'd like to say I did a really good paint job, I didn't; the pics make it look a LOT better than it is. I still have a lot to learn, but this is a good start for me, I think. I remember reading somewhere that someone thought L1 wasn't a challenging enough build, so I did something a little harder, and (I hope) a little unique in the HPR realm.
I should have a flight under my belt come Sunday, so look for some flight pics then.
I've been messing around with the idea of getting my L1 for a while, but my brother gave me the kick I needed to do it. I set a couple of goals for myself to make the experience a little more fun and rewarding. They were:
1.) Don't do a simple 3 or 4FNC rocket.
2.) Reuse parts from a salvaged LOC Norad. I didn't want to waste them; I loaded an F40 incorrectly a while back and blew the Norad apart with a forward closure failure. I destroyed the motor tube and pulled apart an glue joint or two in the process. The parachute was slightly singed, but reusable.
3.) Inline with #2, keep costs as low as possible.
The inspiration for this build came when I came home from NARAM-49 (fun times ). While I was gone, my brother had volunteered to do a couple of launches for a Space-Themed Vacation Bible School at a local church. One of the kits he'd purchased for a last minute build was an Estes Guardian. I liked the kit, and when I was looking through some pictures of massive HPR Estes Mosquito upgrades, my brother basically said that I should upscale the Guardian. So I did. This was pretty much the result of that inspiration and him nagging me to get it done. Here's a synopsis of the build.
I started off with these parts:
Nose section from a LOC Norad (PNC2.14, AR3.00-2.14, Length of 2.14" Airframe)
3"x36" Mailing Tube (Cheaper than Airframe tube)
A sheet of 1/8" Plywood
38mm MMT Tube
3 LOC3.00-1.52 Centering rings
LOC 28" Nylon 'chute
10' of 400lb. Kevlar Cord
5' of 1/2 Flat Elastic
1-1/2" U-bolt
Various nuts, bolts, and washers for motor retention
The build was pretty straight forward except for the three individual fin sets and several new construction techniques. I had never used epoxy in large quantities before, and the idea of constructing the fin can outside the rocket was new to me too. Other than that, it was a massive version of all the other rockets I've built.
Enough typing for now though, onto the build pics.
Parts:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155057627/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1161/1155057627_10961f1256_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3579" /></a>
Upper Section:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155916282/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1268/1155916282_c1214117ab_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3582" /></a>
Fin Can:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155921860/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1145/1155921860_190426c3ab_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSCF3585" /></a>
Motor Retention:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155074237/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/1155074237_df58217108_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCF3587" /></a>
The Final Product:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11719071@N08/1155059325/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/1155059325_18ad2c08e5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSCF3590" /></a>
Overall this was a really fun build and a big learning experience. As much as I'd like to say I did a really good paint job, I didn't; the pics make it look a LOT better than it is. I still have a lot to learn, but this is a good start for me, I think. I remember reading somewhere that someone thought L1 wasn't a challenging enough build, so I did something a little harder, and (I hope) a little unique in the HPR realm.
I should have a flight under my belt come Sunday, so look for some flight pics then.