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#1
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Building the 1350 Interceptor
I'm starting a new thread here dealing with the 1350 Interceptor only, we were getting off track with the A ? for the Rocket Doctor thread.
So, if you have purchased, plan to purchase or have already built the 1350, please post your comments here. We can all come up with ideas on building, finishing and slying this rocket. I have mentioned this before, the shock cord is much too short by at least 11 inches, be aware of this. |
#2
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Thanks RD...this is a good idea.
Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth concerning the wing braces. I can understand why they were added since those areas are the weakest points on the wings. The braces do tend to distract from the original Interceptor. I don't know if I mentioned this before or someone else has, but I think I'm going to use a card stock laminate on the wings. Two reasons... 1. Added strength to the joint without using the braces. 2. There's a whole lot of balsa there. The card stock won't need to be filled. As for the shock cord. I think we've all got use to replacing whatever comes in the Estes kits. RD is right. We need to complain to Estes so they know we aren't happy. Then, go ahead and replace it with whatever you want to use. Let's not forget that the original function of the shock cord was to keep everything together. Butcher string works just as well as long as it's long enough not to break from the force of ejection. Personnally, I use the elastic and I use a minimum of two times the body length. Keep in mind, some damage we blame on short shock cords could just as easily be early deployments and the momentum of the rocket continues and hits the nose cone. Okay....maybe 5 cents worth of letters and a penny worth of thought...
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Don NAR 53455 "Carpe Diem" |
#3
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Don
Thanks for the input, this is what we need, comparing notes, and, making suggestions. RD |
#4
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I'll have to just watch and listen.
Although I just got two big Interceptors in...I'm kinda busy right now.
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"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run" http://sandmandecals.com/ |
#5
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I totally agree that the shock cords in Estes kits are TOTALLY inadequate.
I personally use a 3x BT length rule for these and almost ALWAYS use a kevlar leader attached to the forward portion of the engine mount or ejection baffle with the shock cord tied to that. Where the kevlar crosses the forward opening of the body tube, I use an anti-zippering device. I would have liked Estes to use NON-braced basswood or plywood for the fins instead of the braced balsa. If they want it to handle mid-power levels they should use mid-power materials. Estes is the only company that is hell-bent on only reccommending only THEIR engines for THEIR kits, yet they offer something constucted of components that will not fly decently on an Estes D or E-anything but are fine for an Aerotech RMS 24 F39T. At 10.5+ ounces this thing will not fly decently on an E9-ANYTHING w/o an 8ft launch rod. A D12 will work, but I suspect the flight will be dismally low, just like the old Maxi-Brutes on a D12-3.
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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC ! |
#6
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It was probably the cost factor, a strip of balsa is cheaper than a whole fin of basewood.
They don't think about individual kits costs, it's the whole production run, and, for a kit with a suggested reatil of $49.99, you want your money's forth. I brought up about the shock cord, mainly, if I spent 50 bucks on the basic kit, then the finishing supplie, built the kit and had is destroyed because of a shcok cord, I certainly woundn't be happy. So, we gather our thought here, and, they will be passed along once again, I hope that they have their listening ears on, as Judge Judy would say....... Keep the comments and update coming. |
#7
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Quote:
Could someone re-post the existing photos of the prototype 1350 here to refresh our memories about these braces? If these braces are positioned like "wing fences" on 50's and 60's era supersonic fighters, then we're talking about chord-wise braces instead of span-wise, right? Has anyone thought about using some very thin carbon-fibre strips in place of the cardstock, or even the balsa? Some of this material is very thin in comparison, but would provide far more reinforcement, and when primed over would nearly disappear from view.
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Craig McGraw BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum BARs helping BARs SAM 0044 AMA 352635 |
#8
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Quote:
Here you go ... I looked for the original thread, but could not find it. If I were to eliminate the braces (and I may), I'd just fiberglass the fins. I did this on a 5X Mosquito -- I wanted to use balsa so I could easily make them nice and rounded on the edges, to look realistically upscaled from the original. I also glasses the fin-tube joint, since I used surface mount fins. This Skeeter is tough as nails.
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Lee Reep NAR 55948 Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold! Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp |
#9
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Thanks, Lee!
As for the braces, maybe the finish and detailing are just so good on this model that I'm looking right at them and not recognizing them. Are we talking about those slight bulges on each wing panel, just inboard of the pods? That's the only visual indication I see of a "brace", and the only thing that looks different from the original K-50 (other than some additional details in the molded pieces). I don't see those as being a distraction, just some added detail that works out better in a larger scale. Dress them up with a recessed grille on the leading edges, add some exhaust vent decals near the trailing edge, and call them equipment fairings...
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Craig McGraw BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum BARs helping BARs SAM 0044 AMA 352635 |
#10
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Quote:
Thread...
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Leo My rocket fleet and more @ Leo's Leisure Site and on YouTube - My latest project: ALTDuino |
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