Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief
Description:
This rocket came to being after deciding not to buy the Aerotech G Force kit.
After studying the plans for the G Force, I decided that I could make a scratch
build that met my basic criteria for liking G Force. I wanted a tall rocket
with a 4" airframe that would perform well on G64 and higher 29mm RMS
hardware. Since I got back into model rocketry with my son who is now eight, I
strove to make rockets that where at least as tall, if not taller than his
height. This rocket is 64" tall and weighs in at 44 ounces with altimeter,
but without motor and 'chute. "Big Red" seemed to be an appropriate
name after completing the paint job. Component Description: The construction of
this rocket follows closely the plans for the G Force.
This was my first large airframe rocket, so I wanted to try and imitate the Aerotech wad-less recovery design. Through a stroke of luck, I came across the Aerotech baffle shock chord attachment used in the G Force and used that on top of the 29 mm motor mount with a three-ply centering ring. Similar to the G Force, I also created a payload bay using a 10" section of 3.9" body tube. The payload bay was adapted to hold my home-made RCC2 Missile Works altimeter.
Construction/Finishing Techniques:
Using the G Force plans as a guide, I somewhat followed the fin tube/motor mount construction. The main exception being the use of mounted #8 brass screws with a retainer plate for motor retention. This provides the flexibility to handle various 29 mm motors.Flight/Recovery:
First flight was on a G64-4W with a 45" 'chute. Flight was very straight with chute recovery at apogee. Landing was about 100 yards down wind with an estimated altitude of about 900'. I actually forgot to arm the altimeter on the first flight. The 45" 'chute appears to be perfect for the weight of this rocket. Wad-less recovery worked perfectly with no heat damage to recovery components detected. Shock chord is a 12' length of 9/16" tubular nylon with quick links for body tube and nose cone attachment.Summary:
This rocket is a real crowd pleaser. It flies straight and has a nice take off. I have flown it with and without the altimeter bay. Due to the size of the rocket, it tends to get banged up if it lands on any sort of hard surface like the street. Since my finish paint is very decorative with the decal, I tend to be very selective about launch sites and wind conditions.Sponsored Ads