Hans "Chris" Michielssen's Page

AKA: hcmbanjo
Location: Orlando, FL
Club Memberships: NAR
Favorite Rockets: Estes Goblin
Personal Home Page: www.oddlrockets.com
Club Home Page: www.R-O-C-K.org
RocketReviews.com Pages:
Rocket Gallery
Flight Log
Flight Statistics

2025-09-15

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 11, Engine Mount Gluing

Blog
I used a dowel to roll a line of glue inside the body tube. The upper ring would slide into the glue ring. The mount is held beside the body tube alongside the dowel. The top of the dowel is just under the upper centering ring. At the bottom, the dowel is marked with pencil for a depth guide. Note the masking tape around the engine mount. The tape is only there for a pencil mark at 1 9/16" from ... [More]

2025-09-14

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 10, Some Parts Prep

Blog
The blow molded adapters fit loose in their body tubes. The ones that are to be glued in got the shoulders built up with two lines of Fabri-Tac. Let the glue lines dry before trying the new fit in the tubes. The nose cone still had a seam recess after sanding down the raised mold line. This was filled with a bead of medium CA glue. This CA bead will take a while to dry. Sand to surface ... [More]

2025-09-13

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 9, 2nd Stage Adapter Insulation

Blog
Some CA glue was run around the tube/adapter joints at the top and bottom. The inside tube seam got a good drip of wood glue smoothed out with a Q-tip. After the glue dried, The overhang was trimmed down and sanded even with the top and bottom of the plastic adapter. The bottom lip of the adapter is still exposed to the ejection charge. Some epoxy was mixed and rolled on with the Q-tip. ... [More]

2025-09-12

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 8, 2nd Stage Adapter Insulation

Blog
A build comment: I have two LTV’s from way back. One is retired, the other is restored and flies great! I would recommend extending the engine tube past the blow mold adapter below the “Italia” decals. The ejection charge blew apart the adapter on both models. Especially if you sand down the seams, they get very thin. I also use two parachutes for recovery. It’s a beautiful ... [More]

2025-09-11

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 7, Great Tubes!

Blog
Oh, how I miss the older, tighter better made tubes! They feel denser and stronger. The picture shows the BT-60 tube lower tube. The seams are very tight and were easily filled with CWF, The upper tubes didn't need any CWF, I couldn't find the seam recess! Just a good shot of filler/primer and sanding should take care of anything remaining, Here the shorter tubes are slid onto ... [More]

2025-09-10

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 6, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

Blog
I did a dry fit (no glue) to see how the wood tunnels fit against the molded ends. They were a little higher than the top of the adapter plastic. The top was take down with 220 grit on a block. I still left it a hair high to follow up with the next step. These tunnels are about 1/4" wide, that could leave a gap against the curvature of the tube. I wrapped some 220 grit around a 3/4" wide dowel ... [More]

2025-09-09

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 5, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

Blog
Here's how the instructions have you cut and separate the wood conduits. A difficult task, cutting at an angle using a strait edge and knife. I cut the first tunnel out, then changed my method. After trying to sand the sides at an angle, the first conduit didn't seem wide enough for smooth transition meeting against the molded plastic conduit ends. I ran a pencil down the trenches. I cut the ... [More]

2025-09-08

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 4, Engine Mount Gussets

Blog
These are probably the thinnest centering rings I've ever run across - The thickness of two layers of 110 lb. cardstock. I've used gussets in the past to beef up an engine mount. I wanted the gussets at a 120 degree spacing or close to it. A copy paper strip was rolled around the BT-20 tube. Two even folds were made giving three gusset positions. Wrap around the tube and mark at the ... [More]

2025-09-07

National When Pigs Fly Day!

Blog
Featured on the Apogee Facebook page: Celebrating 'When Pigs Fly' Day! Ever been told your idea is crazy, or that something will happen 'when pigs fly'? Today's your reminder that determination and a little bit of innovation can make even the most impossible-sounding dreams take flight. Just like the Pigasus rocket you'll find on our website. You can do this, we can help! [More]

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 3, Engine Mount

Blog
The engine block was installed just above the engine hook slot position using a glue ended dowel. The engine hook had a slight reverse bend in it. I bent a gentle curve to better retain the motor. The instructions mentioned a hold down strap on the pattern sheet (back of face card). There wasn't one. No big deal. I used a wrap of electrical tape which would last longer than masking tape. A drop ... [More]

2025-01-04

Estes Mini Bertha Clone

Flight
- Estes A3-4t - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Estes Blue Origin, New Shepard

Flight
Stable with a B6-4, not so much with a C6-5. Flew a bit south over the trees. Recovered by other club members with the pole. No damage! - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Semroc Snake Jumper

Flight
Launch wasn't vertical and veered off to the south. Landed in trees, given up for lost. - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

2024-12-07

Centuri Vector V

Flight
My Centuri VECTOR V clone was first in the air with an Estes A8-3. On the left is an Estes Viking, the kit used to make my clone. Altitude was estimated to be around 225 feet. Reefed 12" chute recovery. - A8-3 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Odd'l Rockets Stealth

Flight
Stable and true. Broke off one of the smaller winglet fins, not recovered. - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Odd'l X-15 Goony

Flight
A favorite is my Goony X-15 . Part are from a Quest X-15 parts pack but built around a shorter BT-60. Great stable flight using an older Chinese made Quest B6-4 motor. Estimated altitude was 325'. - German Made Quest B6-4 - ROCK Monthly [More]

ASP Micro Wac Corporal

Flight
This is the ASP MMX CORPORAL , a well performing MMX bird. It was easy to follow the Mylar streamer as it descended. - 1/8A-1 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Semroc Centurion

Flight
Very stable, slow lift off. Ejection blistered the paint right above the baffle inside. - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

2024-06-29

Odd'l Rockets Little Green Man

Flight
A little wobble on the way up. Not much altitude but recovered safely. - B4-4 - Muncie AMA Field [More]

2024-04-06

Quest MMX Saturn V

Flight
The larger fins really didn't help much, it was unstable after it cleared the short launch rod. - 1/8A-1 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

2015-04-19

Rockets By Style / Kit-Bash/Modified

Photograph

Hans "Chris" Michielssen's Orange (Q Cobalt Kitbash)

2014-11-09

Rockets By Style / Kit-Bash/Modified

Photograph

MX-774 Kitbash on an Estes A8-3. Bunnell Blast, November 8, 2014

2012-09-22

Saturn Press Saturn V - Step 17

Build Entry
The outside curved lines of the Engine Fairing Shrouds were cut from the cardstock with scissors. The interior Fin Slots were cut with a knife and straight-edge. [More]

Saturn Press Saturn V - Step 16

Build Entry
The A Frames and Fins were pressed together. The C Frames are pressed into the A Frames and Fins. Be careful handling the Fin paint while assembling. Silver or metallic paints are easy to dull with fingerprints. After all were assembled dry (no glue) I applied white glue to all the joints with ... [More]