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View Full Version : New design using Semroc-supplied laser-cut fins


EchoVictor
05-23-2007, 09:12 PM
A big thanks to Carl for sending me these fins pre-cut. I knew that they'd look much nicer than I could ever do.....
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/100_0833.jpg

I've been growing quite fond of a B/PNC-60NA on top of a 9" length of BT-60 lately, and this is the latest one.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/100_0834.jpg

Here's the final result pre-finishing;
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/100_0835.jpg

Later,
EV

James Pierson
05-23-2007, 09:48 PM
That bird seems to have a hint :D of sci-fi to it :cool: . Looks good EV and I can't wait to see the progress on this one. What sort of engine mount are you going with? 18MM or 24MM? Keep us posted, JP

James Pierson
NAR# 77907

EchoVictor
06-04-2007, 12:03 PM
I wound up going with an 18mm mount on this one. After swing test, it needed just a little bit of nose weight.

Thankfully, I was able to get her base coat down and a touch of detail painting before the trip down to NSL. Here she is on the pad;
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/100_0861.jpg

I was fourtunate to have Carl in observance standing right next to me as she leapt skyward on a B6-4. A beautiful, arrow straight flight led to a mostly nice recovery. One of the rear fins had the tip break off on landing. Think I'll laminate with paper, maybe....

If anyone else is interested in making this one, you up for making fin sets for folks, Carl?

Later,
EV

CPMcGraw
06-04-2007, 12:08 PM
...I was fourtunate to have Carl in observance standing right next to me as she leapt skyward on a B6-4. A beautiful, arrow straight flight led to a mostly nice recovery. One of the rear fins had the tip break off on landing. Think I'll laminate with paper, maybe...

The laminate should help, as well as the thin CA to seal the edges. Any plans to share...plans? ;)

Nice looking bird, EV. Good to hear it flew well.

EchoVictor
06-04-2007, 01:12 PM
How's this? :D

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/StarScytheTop.gif

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/StarScytheSide.gif

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/EchoVictor/Rocket%20Stuff/StarScytheFront.gif

In case the scaling is funny;

Pretty simple build. Wings are at 18 degrees down, and 2 inches from rear of body. Top two rear fins are at 45 degrees, and all three are flush with rear of body. The cockpit is taken directly from the Estes #1343 Orion Starfighter.

Later,
EV

sandman
06-04-2007, 03:14 PM
To the Batcave, Robin! :D

Sweet design!

James Pierson
06-04-2007, 09:08 PM
Star Scythe is a great name EV, and seems to say it all about this design. Wow!

CPMcGraw Quote:
The laminate should help, as well as the thin CA to seal the edges.

Yep, Craig knows best, trust me, I just found out the hard way with a worm killing flight of the Interstellar Traveler. 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets of mailing label paper I bought at Staples. 100 sheets for 20 bucks should last me a year at least :D . The CA I use to harden the edges of the balsa and prevent wind peel of the paper is the Instant Krazy Glue color change formula that has a brush in the bottle that will not dry up. This step also seems to only add the same amount of wieght as if a person was to just add filler and primer to the balsa anyways.

Hope this helps, JP

James Pierson
NAR# 77907

CPMcGraw
06-04-2007, 10:33 PM
Star Scythe is a great name EV, and seems to say it all about this design. Wow!



Yep, Craig knows best, trust me, I just found out the hard way with a worm killing flight of the Interstellar Traveler. 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets of mailing label paper I bought at Staples. 100 sheets for 20 bucks should last me a year at least :D . The CA I use to harden the edges of the balsa and prevent wind peel of the paper is the Instant Krazy Glue color change formula that has a brush in the bottle that will not dry up. This step also seems to only add the same amount of wieght as if a person was to just add filler and primer to the balsa anyways.

Hope this helps, JP

James Pierson
NAR# 77907

What I use is the "house brand" CA from Hobbytown USA, and some of their Teflon applicator pipettes. These little squeeze-bulb tubes are about $.50 each, but they provide a lot more control over the standard bottle tip.

Sometimes I miss the original "Hot Stuff" applicator tubes, but then I remember how easily they clogged. I never managed to use a whole bottle before running out of the tube...

Carl@Semroc
06-04-2007, 11:06 PM
If anyone else is interested in making this one, you up for making fin sets for folks, Carl?

Later,
EVWe will be glad to!

Great seeing you again, EV.

EchoVictor
06-05-2007, 01:18 PM
A few notes;

I actually did wick some CA into the edges of those rear fins, but still had too much fragility for my taste. I definitely think a paper laminate is the way to go.

FYI, the Semroc PN that I put in the plan is a BT-60AJ, which is a 10" tube. My model only has a 9" tube, so you could trim off a bit, or just leave it as is. In fact, leaving it at the full 10" might help reduce and/or eliminate the nose weight needed.....

Carl, are these fin sets something that I can let the general community know is available from you, or do you prefer to keep it within SVDT? I defer to your opinion either way on this.

Later,
EV