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  #1  
Old 12-17-2007, 06:47 PM
Thruster Thruster is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Long Island, New York
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Default Battlestar Galaxtica Viper

I just recieved the parts I need to build the BSG Viper but I don't see what thickness Balsa I should use to make the wings. Anyone here build this bird and can give me some tips? I'm going to make the Viper able to fly on 1 or 4 rockets engines depending on where I launch it from, I would imagine 4 engines will take it pretty high.
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  #2  
Old 12-17-2007, 07:19 PM
CharlaineC CharlaineC is offline
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Default viper

the viper uses 3/32 think balsa i have made quite a few of them and love them. let me know if i can help. also if you are useing a plastic nose cone or an origenal. after you lock in the waights you need to fill with foan and glue a cap on it because with the cavity open it causes her to arch badly. I found the fix on the trf talking to the viper queen roadkill. talk to her for more info tell her char sent you. have fun
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  #3  
Old 12-17-2007, 07:36 PM
Thruster Thruster is offline
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Thanks Char, I have some 1/4 inch on hand do you think that would be ok?
I was going to go with the BNC 50K cut it and paint the front black.
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  #4  
Old 12-17-2007, 08:08 PM
CharlaineC CharlaineC is offline
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what engins do you want to use 1/4th is really thick for a viper. that uses b or 6 engines. and if your gonna cluster her make sure you add a spill hole. als use a tapered dowel for the laser not the way it is in the instructions. you want to lessen the drag.
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  #5  
Old 12-17-2007, 08:14 PM
Thruster Thruster is offline
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I plan on using B engines, I'll pick up some 3/32 balsa for the wings but thats seem thin.
Thanks
Gary
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  #6  
Old 12-17-2007, 08:43 PM
Vanel Vanel is offline
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Here's a link to mine... http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/show...highlight=Viper The build descriptions are way back in my blog - about page 8, or January 2006.

I still have a nose cone crafted by Moldin' Oldies if you are interested...
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2007, 07:28 AM
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tbzep tbzep is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thruster
I plan on using B engines, I'll pick up some 3/32 balsa for the wings but thats seem thin.
Thanks
Gary


3/32" is average thickness for most model rocket kits. 1/8" is about as thick as you will see balsa fins from kit manufacturers.

I use 1/4" for large upscales sometimes because I'm scaling up the fin thickness as well...It also adds drag and makes for a slower and lower flight for small field demonstration flights with D12-3 motors.

The 3/32" does feel flimsy at first, but as long as you have the wood grain running in the right direction, it will stiffen up considerably once you've glued it to the body tube.
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  #8  
Old 12-18-2007, 04:05 PM
Thruster Thruster is offline
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Thanks TCZEP, I picked up some 3/32 balsa and made the wings and vertical stabilizer. I installed the 3 engine BT-52 tubes on the BT-50 and the vertical stabilizer and it seem very strong. This Viper is a breeze to build I'm going to make a few with the BT-50 and then do an upscale. Any suggestions about which upscale I should do, I live on Long Island N.Y. so there is not a lot of room for a Monster Rocket.
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  #9  
Old 12-18-2007, 04:59 PM
Green Dragon Green Dragon is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thruster
Thanks TCZEP, I picked up some 3/32 balsa and made the wings and vertical stabilizer. I installed the 3 engine BT-52 tubes on the BT-50 and the vertical stabilizer and it seem very strong. This Viper is a breeze to build I'm going to make a few with the BT-50 and then do an upscale. Any suggestions about which upscale I should do, I live on Long Island N.Y. so there is not a lot of room for a Monster Rocket.


If you live on L.I . there's a few clubs down that way - the LIARS ( Long Island Rocket Society ) , and the METRA group I occasionaly fly with myself ( in Middletown, NY ). They host the large ' NERRF' launch each spring, this years being # 4, will be there for sure.
http://www.metrarocketclub.org/

lots of room at NERRF - many birds up through M-impulse were flown, including a good many upscales, my own Rattler 7 included.

note on the BSG viper - if you use the balsa cone, make CERTAIN you add the needed weight to a hollowed out cone, or it will NOT be stable.
I have a clone in the que ( Molding Oldies cone been waiting a year for that one ),but I had an original kit back in the day, not sure what happened to that, actually... don;t recall loosing it, but I do have one of the wing lasers in my junk box...


~ AL
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  #10  
Old 12-18-2007, 06:20 PM
Thruster Thruster is offline
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Hey Green Dragon thanks for the heads up on the Balsa nose cone BNC-50k was recommended, is there a plastic equivalent to that cone?
I want to make the Viper so I can launch it with up to 4 engines at once so I will have to be able to add and subtract weight. Has anyone done this?
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