Dart II - A Scratch Design / Build Odd-Roc
The Dart is an exercise in design: spurred on by the Estes Banshee, a
rocket with wedge shaped fins as viewed from the nose cone.
I wanted to see if this fin type could be designed using OpenRocket pods. What I found was it is possible to visually model the rocket, but it's stability as shown in Open Rocket will be off since there is no airflow over both surfaces of (6) fins. So I duplicated the design and simply used (3) fins that were twice the thickness.
OpenRocket shows its stability closer to 8%. I'll build the rocket and swing test it with the Nose Cone loose, in the event it needs more nose weight.
An Altimeter Two is concealed in one fin,the launch lug in another and a
faux cannon in the second third. It's a Hell-For-Stout design utilizing
basswood fins and a custom redwood pine turned nose cone. Powered by a 24mm 29mm composite motor it's a rear eject design utilizing a spool.
I wanted to see if this fin type could be designed using OpenRocket pods. What I found was it is possible to visually model the rocket, but it's stability as shown in Open Rocket will be off since there is no airflow over both surfaces of (6) fins. So I duplicated the design and simply used (3) fins that were twice the thickness.
OpenRocket shows its stability closer to 8%. I'll build the rocket and swing test it with the Nose Cone loose, in the event it needs more nose weight.
An Altimeter Two is concealed in one fin,
And a stock Banshee fin can design
2025-09-12 Preliminary CAD Drawings Rev 00
2026-09-27 Upscaled the design to BT-204 body tube.
Turned the Nose Cone, Cut and Sanded the Basswood Fins, and cut the BT/C-204
Started gluing the Fins...
2026-09-30 Fins: Gluing Day 02
2026-10-01 Preview Of Coming Attractions... and that Fratzog looks familiar...
2026-10-02 Nose Cone Ballast and Dowels... and Pew Pews
10-04-2026 Fin Fillets and Attaching Nose Cone
2026-10-05 Adding Fin Ribs / Altimeter Stowage
I'll use a recycled composite motor igniter wire to secure the Altimeter Two to the Fin Rib.
Launch Lug
2026-10-06 Spool'ish Pleasures
2026-10-07 Passed the swing test.
2026-10-08 CWF - Sand - CWF - Sand - CWF - Sand
Rustoleum Rust Metal Primer
2026-10-10 Orange Crush
Sanded the primer and then applied the Rustoleum Orange Gloss
2026-10-30 Dart II Two Stage.... Lets add a Booster!
D12-5 Sustainer... lit by a Quick Fuse from a F42-4 Booster
