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Modification Contributed by Darrell Edge Brief:
Converting the existing Silver Comet to the once available V2.
Modifications:
I wanted to recreate the V2 in an inexpensive way using readily available parts. My first purchase was the Estes Silver Comet rocket kit. This was the same platform that the old V2 from Estes was built on. The next step was to get the fin pattern from Jimz plans online. I downloaded the fin pattern and took it and the Silver Comet fin to the copy machine. I used the Silver Comet fin as a guide to get the old V2 plan to match. The V2 fin pattern was blown up to finally match the tabs on the Silver Comet fins. At this point I had the fins the correct size.
The next obstacle is the nose cone. The Silver Comet nose conehas a great little relief where the windshield would go. All of my V2 research has not found one with a windshield so that had to be scrapped. Estes makes the nose cone BCN80 ( Phoenix rocket nose cone). I picked one up and it worked out great.
I had intentions of flying this rocket on the D series engines from Estes as recommended. However, I knew I would eventually want to push the envelope. I assembled the entire rocket with 30 minute epoxy. Building strong filets as I went along. The entire rocket was then painted with sandable primer. And sanded, and primed, and sanded, and primed, and etc. A top coat of gloss white followed by a black and gold pattern. It makes a striking appearance.
Flight:
The first flight was on a D12-3 because of the size of the rocket. The first 4 flights were perfect. Great slow flight with ejection right after appogee. Then it was the test. I loaded an Aerotech E30-7 for the first time. I was nervous from all the work that was put into this thing. It took off the pad with a bang. A perfect flight to around 1400 feet. All of the flights so far have been straight and picture perfect. The rocket is showing some wear inside the tube but thats to be expected. I used a LOC/Precision style shock cord mount by burying the cord in a mound of epoxy on the inside of the body tube and it has held fine so far.
Summary:
My next modification will be to lose the cheesy Estes chute and go to a nylon chute. It will fly a few more times and then be shelved for a later date. Flight LogRelated Products- Post a Comment -
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