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  #1  
Old 02-14-2023, 07:40 PM
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barone barone is offline
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Default So, you want to clone an FSI Viking V?

The FSI Viking line of model rockets have to be my favorite. I mean, tube fins...really? How much more unique can you get?

Well, I have a Viking V already in my fleet. Flown it. Had the FSI motor CATO and destroy the lower body tube. Replaced it with another tube (actually, I found the tube for aluminum foil worked really well). And had it trashed again. So, after finishing my Cupid's Arrow (yeah, we're having a Valentine's themed launch this month in our Section), I decided to give the cloning a try.

First, a parts list. It's difficult to find the exact parts needed so I used what came close from various vendors. I also decided to add some heft to the motors so opted for a 29mm motor mount. E through G capability.

I used a BT-55 (18") for the lower body tube. You could use an ST-13 from eRockets (SEM-ST-13180). I used a BT-60 (18') for the upper body tube. Again, you could use an LT-150 from eRockets (SEM-LT-150220)

The balsa nose cone is slightly longer and slimmer than the original but the closest I could find came from eRockets (SEM-BC-1660). The transition is also slightly longer than the original. I used the SEM-TA5560L from eRockets.

The stabilizers (tube fins) are also BT-55. The distance between cuts is 5.25 inches. I used the Template Widget (can't remember where I downloaded it from) to print out the tube cutting guide (cuts at 45 degree angles).

The fairings (tube standoffs) are made from 3/16" balsa. A fin pattern can be found in the plans section here but the template is not to scale. Use the measurements to make your pattern. Note, the leading edge is longer than the trailing edge so make sure you mark your cut-outs so you attach them correctly.

For the motor tube, I used the 29mm thick wall motor tube from Apogee. I also ordered the Estes 29mm retainers from Apogee. Motor tube centering rings were ordered from eRockets (SEM-CR-52H-55). It's a tight fit and the outside diameter of the retainer is wider than the BT-55.

I couldn't find the template for the launch lug standoff so I just took the outside diameter of the BT-60 and subtracted the outside diameter of the BT-55 to come up with a height. I decided to use a single 1/4" launch lug (from Apogee) so went with a length of 3" with no launch lug attached to the upper body tube.

Since I'm planning on using 29mm motors, I decided to forgo the usual screw eye attachment and ran a hole through the TA and threaded 400lb Kevlar through it, anchored on the BT-60 side with a 3/16" piece of bent launch rod. The Kevlar forms a loop that I can tie the shock cord and parachute to. Parachute? I decided 36" from Apogee.

I've glued the TA to the BT-60 per plans but decided to just friction fit the nose cone. I plan to eventually add vent holes and use the payload tube for an altimeter.

Shock cord, I plan on using 400lb Kevlar (54") for that as well. Normally, I would attach it to the motor mount but there just isn't enough room.

Here is where I'm at in the build so far.
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Last edited by barone : 02-14-2023 at 08:01 PM.
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  #2  
Old 02-15-2023, 05:47 AM
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Very nice, Don. I notice that you even filled the spirals...........wow! Were the tube fins mounted on balsa on the original?


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Old 02-15-2023, 05:51 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
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https://www.rocketreviews.com/fsi-v...chelberger.html
I'm pretty sure I just used Estes parts and went with a "looks right" philosophy for this project. First flight was at NARAM 53, one of my many E9 CATOs, and easily one of the most impressive CATO photos I've captured. Looking forward to hearing how yours performs on the 29mm motor.
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Old 02-15-2023, 09:27 AM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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I had an original Viking V Back In The Day (flying with LIARS on Long Island) and flew the heck out of it, with a wide variety of motors including F100-6, maybe Rocketflite BP motors, and Aerotech motors.

The latter BARELY fit in the Viking V's motor mount tube, which was really made for 27mm FSI E/F motors.

I recall that it glided during recovery.

I have too many projects to even consider cloning the V-V, but I get it would fly nicely with a BP E16 or F15.
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Old 02-15-2023, 11:30 AM
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They always looked cool in the FSI catalogs. I've enjoyed seeing the builds here on YORF. They looked good as well.
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Old 02-15-2023, 01:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo1986
Very nice, Don. I notice that you even filled the spirals...........wow! Were the tube fins mounted on balsa on the original?


Joe

Thanks. Yep, the original tube fairings were balsa. Strange since a lot of the kits had plywood fins.
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Old 06-04-2023, 09:03 PM
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Finished!

Flew it on an F62-4. Needs a 6 second delay. Flying it again later this month on an F50-6.

Used Krylon satin Peacock Blue spray paint. Almost an exact match to the decals.
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Old 06-05-2023, 08:40 AM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barone
Finished!

Flew it on an F62-4. Needs a 6 second delay. Flying it again later this month on an F50-6.

Used Krylon satin Peacock Blue spray paint. Almost an exact match to the decals.

That looks great, Don!
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  #9  
Old 06-05-2023, 10:58 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barone
Finished!

Flew it on an F62-4. Needs a 6 second delay. Flying it again later this month on an F50-6.

Used Krylon satin Peacock Blue spray paint. Almost an exact match to the decals.

Nice! I think mine flew on an E9 first flight. Second flight occurred after I picked up the pieces from the first flight CATO. But it made for a good photo.

On a related tangent, I flew my FSI Hercules and Nova on Saturday. The Hercules flight was near perfect. The Nova teleported to a different dimension.
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I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
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  #10  
Old 06-11-2023, 07:21 AM
PaulK PaulK is offline
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Nice work! I've always liked the Viking line, even though I've only built the Viking I.
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