(BAR-28) IHSF "Kessel Runner", a Sci-Fi Build

07-19-2024 Orange Paint and Decals

Applied some stripes using Rustoleum Gloss Orange and then used some left over decals from Sirius Rocketry from my Outlander ML-9.

05-12-2024 White Paint

Shot the first coat of white, took a photo, and it started to rain... while the sun was shining. ​

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I'll try to shoot another coat in a couple days.​

04-25-2024 Primer Day 02

I sanded the rocket using an orbital pad sander, then finished up hand sanding.  Then applied the 2nd coat of Rustoleum Automotive Primer.

04-24-2024 Primer Day 01

02-24-2024

Bulkhead to Spool 29mm Tube

Side Canards

Swing Test

Rock Solid Stability.

Swing Test - IHSF Kessel Runner - A Sci-Fi Flying Model Rocket (youtube.com) 

02-22-2024

Rear Bulkhead and Internal Ejection Tube

I made a template for the rear bulkhead and then cut it from 1/4" plywood. I then built the Internal Ejection Tube from BT-50, C-50 and BT-55 tubing, along with a couple of 1/8" basswood supports. This sub-assy is glued into the fuselage and sits upon the nose ballast.

The 29mm tube transfers the thrust during motor burn.

The Internal Ejection Tube will guide the ejection spool backwards when the motor ejection fires. Once the bulkhead clears the rear of the body, the spool is in the wind and the parachute deploys.

You'll notice the bulkhead is a bit smaller than the fuselage. That's to accommodate paint once it's applied to the fuselage and the spool. A tight fit isn't essential, and a slip fit is the goal.

02-22-2024

I have a "Visual" OpenRocket model that I've been updating as the build progresses.  It's really of no use as a simulation, but it's a fun exercise nonetheless.

02-21-2024

Greebling... Day 02.  Oh, also added vertical stabilizers.

02-20-2024

Greebling...   Day 01

02-19-2024

The Titebond Quick and Thick finally dried enough to sand (3 days) ... or at least I thought so. When I sanded it became gooey. So I took a hobby knife and profiled it. I'll cover it all with CWF and sand it down again.​

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The dowels were also covered with CWF and then sanded down.​

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I'm planning on doing some greeble work on this rocket, so I want the surfaces nice and flat. Still need to add motor pods and vertical stabilizers.​

02-17-2024

Sanded the dowels and started filling the Fuselage seams with Titebond Quick and Thick.  I'll buy the "Thick"... but it sure ain't "Quick".

02-16-2024

Belt and Suspenders

I drilled thru the body at the screw eye location and glued in a 3/8" dowel. Once the glue dries I'll cut it and sand it flush with the outside surfaces.​ 

This should pretty much guarantee a positive anchor for the recovery system.​

I also did a preliminary swing test.  There's no motor or recovery gear in the rocket, but it nonetheless is very stable. 

Preliminary Swing Test - IHSF Kessel Runner - A Sci-Fi Flying Model Rocket (youtube.com)

02-14-2024

Snorkel Build Day Two

Cut the snorkel from the laminated block and sanded it to shape... then started gluing it to the body.

 

02-13-2024

Snorkel Build Day One and Nose Weight

The snorkel build is pretty straight forward. I used (2) BT-3's.​

 

For nose weight I went ahead and added a hex nut to the 3/4-10 threaded rod and then attached the screw eye to the side of it. Then pushed it down into the fuselage, and glued it into place. This will take a while to dry.

I had planned on 6 ounces of nose weight. The extra 1.6 ounces is good insurance, and only changes the apogee by a small amount.​

 

02-12-2024

I took another look at the design to try to add some additional stability.

Isaac Hannaford had a lower "snorkle" in his sketch. I'll be adding this and incorporating the launch lug into it. A sandwiched construction such that the launch lug is between to pieces of basswood, with a balsa wood filler. That'll be about 1/2" wide.

02-11-2024

Wings

 

02-09-2024

Internals

CAD Model and Drawings

02-08-2024

Fuselage Day 03

Attaching the Side Opening Spars

02-07-2024

Fuselage Day 02

I cut a 1" hole in some scrap and shoved the nose into the hole, then rubber banded the motor end.  This allowed me to shoot some glue down into the nose.  Once that dries I can start to glue the internal bits and pieces.

02-06-2024

Fuselage Day 01

After cutting the sections from 1/4" Plywood and stack sanding them, I used masking tape to glue the right and left sides together. Then flipped them over and space the motor end up using a Testor's paint jar.

Then I applied wood glue to the seams.

 02-04-2024

Here's a flying "Sci-Fi" model rocket based on a Isaac Hannaford drawing.

The CAD Model features a 4 piece plywood body which glues together, through the wall 1/4" plywood  main wings and surface glued stabilizers.  A rear eject spool will be used and a 29mm motor.