Solar Cargo: A Scratch Build/Design  

Here's a space cargo ship that features square body tubes and nose cone... only round items are the tube fins.

It'll be a 29mm Powered- Rear Eject rocket.

Should be a fun build..... simulation shown is for ref. only. 

 

2026-08-18 Open Rocket Model... just for ***** and giggles

 

 

 

 

2026-08-21 Knocked out the CAD Model, then pulled some dimensions.

Looks like there is adequate room for the 24" Parachute, the Ballast Slug and the 29mm Motor.
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I ran an Open Rocket Stability Simulation using round tubes, and it appears stable.

 

 

 

 Bomarc YIM-99A: A Scratch Build

Starting with Peter Alway's most excellent dimensional data, a 1/2 scale model was made in Open Rocket.

The model was then scaled down to a BT-204 body tube.

Its a 29mm Rear Eject, with an internal payload bay for the Altimeter Two. A 36" Parachute yields a ground hit speed of 15 mph.

The stock livery of Black and White paint with a gold Nose Cone was used, but I think this all aluminum version shows of its curves better. But that can be finalized later. 

 

 

Reaper: A Scratch Built / Design Attack Fighter

 29mm Powered - Rear Eject - Altimeter Pod - Canards - Armed to the Teeth

 

 

 Curtiss Jenny

 This one is an upscale of the 1964 Estes "Flying Jenny"

• Retro Curtiss Jenny paint,
• 12" Wingspan with Jenny style wings (vs 8-1/2),
• BT-52H (vs BT-20),
• Streamer Recovery for the 24mm motor (vs headbanger recovery),
• 1/4" Plywood Construction

 2026-07-31 Nose Cone and Plywood

Cut the Nose Cone on my wood lathe, and then cut the Wings, Rudders and BT-52HMF.​

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Updated Open Rocket​

 

 

 

Gluing Center Wings to the Body Tube

2026-08-01 Gluing Rudders to Center Wings

 

 

 

Gluing Bottom Wing to Rudders

 

  

Gluing Top Wing to Rudders

 

 

Gluing Strut Rod to Body / Bottom Wing 

 

Finished, Less Motor and Ballast

 

2026-08-02 Nose Cone Ballast

Installed the Ballast into the Nose Cone, then glued the sub-assy into the BT-52HMF

 

 

 

Launch Lug Install and Motor Mod's

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The thought is the asymmetric drag from the launch lug will make the "Glider" bank to the left... ​

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The C11-3 motor was modified by adding to masking tape Centering Rings on each end. Then some Bird Tape mylar was installed as a Streamer between the Centering Rings.​

 

Swing Test

Schwing! It passed!​​Rock solid stability, Open Rocket shows a Caliber of 0.631 and a Percentage of 8.62 using a C11-3 motor.​

 

Video Of Swing Test 

 

 

2026-08-04 Primer Day 01

Rustoleum Rusty Metal (Red Oxide) Primer​

 

 Proposed Paint Scheme​

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Pitts Special​

 

 

  

Red Paint​

​Rustoleum Sunrise Red​

 

 

2026-08-06 Pitts Special

Masked and shot a mist coat of Sunrise Red, followed by Rustoleum Semi Gloss White​