Estes Power

[mbauer]

Found some lightweight foam for the fuselage formers.

1/2" thick means more support for the cardstock.

Been using 3/16" thick foam board from Walmart. Big sheets and covered on both top and bottom sides with paper. Super heavy compared to the EPS Foam just bought.

The bottom former weighs in at 0.4oz for the 3/16"; 0.1oz for the EPS Foam.

Removing 3-formers from the lower fuselage and replacing with the EPS will save 0.9oz!! This is huge, plus the rocket will be much stronger.

Also you can see the LES that I'm working on. Photo of the foam differences:


Mike

[mbauer]

Printed these on the really expensive Slikrock Silver Metallic 300 gsm photo paper.

Shiny:


Shiny Close:


Fins-note dryer sheet next to the stylus for scoring fold lines. It helps by rubbing the ball end of the stylus on it before using on cardstock. Seems to glide better:


OHP Flopp!




Mike

[mbauer]

Started a second build that is smaller to reduce weight, the new foam formers are for it.

Scale is 1/65 for now.

Been asked to do these at 1/70 scale to match other rockets that have been sold from different businesses.

Sounds like a great scale since I'm almost that size now.

The 1B project will be after I get the SR71 Habu project flying.

Here are a few photos of the second project as it near completion.






Mike

[mbauer]

Built a LES

Photos
Had to build five different ones to get part fit correct:






Mike

[surfduke]

Good work so far!

[mbauer]

Finished the main build that will fly. Did not complete the engine bells, or install a parachute yet.

Purchased some large parachutes on eBay. Will be next weekend before they arrive.

No photos can be uploaded yet so will relay some of the specifics:
Weight when completed 7.7oz
Weight today when glue cures 7.5oz
Weight with D12-3 engine is 9.1oz well below the weight of their 4ft tall Saturn V; I built years ago: 1980s. This one reaches 5ft tall.

Should be a great flyer!

Mike

[mbauer]

Here is a photo of the completed rockets.

The smaller one has some of the MOAB Slickrock Silver Metallic 300gsm photo paper. CSM and oversize fins.

Found a great color of gray ink to use that almost looks like shiny polished aluminum as shown by the CSM:


To get the larger model in the air will be a major rebuild. Too much weight down low. It would be a very unstable flyer. Thinking of taking it into the local Challenger center to see if they would like for a display. I'll up size the LES for it.

Mike

[SteveB]

Superb work Mike - they look amazing. And I like the use of the door for scale!

[mbauer]

Internet quit at my home on the 13th, finally back today.

Updates on models:
1/65 ready to fly on D12-3, parachute 32" plastic octagon, installed with heavy duty shock cord, swivels attached to help keep lines untangle.

Two 1/4" launch tubes attached.

New models partially constructed 1/6 scale Redstone (over 14ft tall with a 52" tall capsule/Escape Tower-11.5inched diameter rocket).

1/8 Scale Redstone almost complete.

1/48 Scale Saturn V and a 1/72 Scale Saturn V under construction.

Status: SR71 Blackbird rocket = Cutting parts out

No internet available means build time to stay "busy".

Photos soon of projects.

Mike

[mbauer]

Escape System and Mercury Spacecraft are 52" Tall


1/6 Scale Fuselage shell




1/8 Scale Redstone



Using balsa wood for the fins. Bass wood is heavier. Need a lighter weight material for the fins. Any ideas? Foam of the really high density might work, going to check at local big box to see how tough it is...

The fins on the 1/6 Scale Redstone came in at over 9oz which is too much to fly without clustering several engines to get it going.

Many years ago in the 1960-1970 bought a few cluster rockets that were designed to be flown that way. Really liked watching them go when they all fired.


Mike