Bonestell

[Brain]

Chesley Bonestell was the father of modern space art, and his work was featured prominently in a series of articles in Colliers Magazine back in the 40's, detailing the prevailing thoughts on space travel (as it was then conceived). One of the rocketships in the article was called the Space Ferry, and I am planning a scratchbuild version suitable for launching.

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

[Pem Tech]

Rockin' idea...
Go for it...

[Brain]

Layne,

Love the kits on your site!
The Space Ark and the Space Cadet are excellent!
The Screamin' Green Meanie caught my attention with its circular fin add-ons! I might have to give you some business!

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

[Pem Tech]

Layne,

Love the kits on your site!
The Space Ark and the Space Cadet are excellent!
The Screamin' Green Meanie caught my attention with its circular fin add-ons! I might have to give you some business!




Glad you like them...
Your El Dorado is a sharp bit of work, sorry it had a bit of flight trouble. If you have a rocksim file I could see if I can make it stable.

Yes, Bonestell is "Da' Man" when it comes to sci-fi art. We have had a LPR version of Bonestell's version of the VonBraun Mars Lander in the works for a while now. You can see it here:
http://www.rocketryforum.com/showpost.php?p=35852&postcount=56

And here is a pic of her on the pad.
http://pembertontechnologies.com/images/ST2009/LPRbonestellpad_8837.jpg

Here is the MPR version:
http://www.pembertontechnologies.com/images/NSL2007/Bonestell_onpad_DSC_4852CR.jpg

Details in the TRF archives, includes static and flight images.
http://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=33079&highlight=bonestell&page=4

[Brain]

I don't even know yet where to begin with RockSim. I'll figure it out eventually, but not now.
I wonder how far removed from the original design a RockSim correction might be (I am reminded of an article way back in Boy's Life Magazine that described how a giant monster lobster would have to be physiologically altered in order to be able to come out of the water and do the Godzilla thing... all the changes made it end up looking something like a Godzilla!).

That new pic you posted shows another sweet Bonestell that I recall from some of his work in the Conquest of Space book. Very cool. Watch out, Estes!

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes!

[CPMcGraw]

I don't even know yet where to begin with RockSim. I'll figure it out eventually, but not now...

Brain,

Pinky says:

"Start with a conical NC, then a hollow transition of paper matching the NC contour, to the length you want it. Set the wall thickness to about half that of a standard tube.

"Use an 'inside tube' matching the base diameter of the NC as an internal spine.

"Attach centering rings along this spine to keep the shroud (transition) aligned, and to distribute the launch forces.

"The parachute and engine mount will go inside the internal spine like in regular models. Use a large enough internal tube to hold everything easily. Don't limit yourself to ST-7 or -8; go with at least ST-10 or -13, with an appropriate NC, to get the internal area you need.

"Be mindful that those large wings are really a negative when it comes to rocketry, and those canards actually take away stability. Use larger-than-scale winglets to compensate (think of the Gyroc here).

"Narf..." :D

[Brain]

What's 'narf'?
"National Association of Rocketry, Fool!"
Heh-heh!

Good suggestions, Pinky. I thought that if I had to make a cone body using one of the methods I've found online that I would end up with a nosecone anyway, but your idea makes sense.

Also, a comment I made elsewhere about RockSim 'corrections' may apply... will I end up with a rocket that isn't what I was trying for? Maybe not the project I will tackle next...

So, what makes the Pemberton rocket shown above - which has the kind of fins that the Space Ferry design requires - fly? Is it that it doesn't have a cone-shaped body?

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

[CPMcGraw]

What's 'narf'?
"National Association of Rocketry, Fool!"
Heh-heh!

Good suggestions, Pinky. I thought that if I had to make a cone body using one of the methods I've found online that I would end up with a nosecone anyway, but your idea makes sense.

Also, a comment I made elsewhere about RockSim 'corrections' may apply... will I end up with a rocket that isn't what I was trying for? Maybe not the project I will tackle next...

So, what makes the Pemberton rocket shown above - which has the kind of fins that the Space Ferry design requires - fly? Is it that it doesn't have a cone-shaped body?

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

Even though Pem Tech's rocket is slick and looks well-built (I do think it's a really nice job!), aerodynamically it's just a very large Gyroc with nose-blow/parachute recovery instead of helecopter recovery. Those vertical fins attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the 'wings' are the stabilizing devices to keep the tail shimmy under control.

The "Space Ferry" design is itself nothing more than an FCOD with wings (FCOD = "Flying Cone Of Death"). It is a conical section, which is self-stabilizing. Look back at the Centuri/SEMROC "The Point" design, and you'll recognize it as just a 'Ferry' without the wings...

Truth is, it would probably fly better without the wings... :eek:

Additional bit of rocketry trivia -- take a look at the Russian N-1 design, shrink it from tip to tail, then add wings... :D :rolleyes:

"So, what are we doing tonight, Brain?"

[Brain]

Right now, we are working on an Estes Bull Pup 12D.

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

[CPMcGraw]

Right now, we are working on an Estes Bull Pup 12D.

-Brain
Aim for the sucker holes.

Uhh, you've seen "Pinky and the Brain", right?

The 'correct answer' should have been:

"Same thing we do every night, Pinky: Try to take over the world!"

You have to understand, Pinky and Brain are both lab mice...

"...They're Pinky and the Brain...
Yes, Pinky and the Brain...

One is a genius, the other insane!

To prove their mousey worth
they'll overthrow the earth...

They're Pinky...
They're Pinky and the Brain...Brain...Brain...Brain...BRAIN!"

Remember? :D

[sandman]

Uhh, you've seen "Pinky and the Brain", right?

The 'correct answer' should have been:

"Same thing we do every night, Pinky: Try to take over the world!"

You have to understand, Pinky and Brain are both lab mice...

"...They're Pinky and the Brain...
Yes, Pinky and the Brain...

One is a genius, the other insane!

To prove their mousey worth
they'll overthrow the earth...

They're Pinky...
They're Pinky and the Brain...Brain...Brain...Brain...BRAIN!"

Remember? :D


I have seasons 1 thru 4 on DVD.

A Christmas present from my daughter.

[Brain]

Sorry... I can't imagine why I had rockets on my mind... :D

-Brain (anagram of my real name Brian)
Aim for the sucker holes.

[Pem Tech]

Even though Pem Tech's rocket is slick and looks well-built (I do think it's a really nice job!), aerodynamically it's just a very large Gyroc with nose-blow/parachute recovery instead of helecopter recovery. Those vertical fins attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the 'wings' are the stabilizing devices to keep the tail shimmy under control.


Funny thing is, it is very stable even without the outboard rudders.
http://www.pembertontechnologies.com/images/HMS_Bonestell_Launch.jpg
:D

The magic is in the Ballz.