Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Work Bench > Projects
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-01-2021, 07:50 PM
MarkB.'s Avatar
MarkB. MarkB. is offline
Surfrajettes Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: El Paso
Posts: 1,113
Default Very Large Alpha

Comrades:

I thought I'd share a quick project with you: my Very Large Alpha. After buying a Mega Red Max and buying the parts for the new Big Red Max, I got to thinking what else could be easily upsized using genuine Estes parts on-line. So the body tubes are Pro Series 3" as is the coupler. Estes doesn't sell it in long enough lengths to do the Alpha without a coupler so I chose to put the coupler at the bottom and sand the ply rings to fit inside. The 3:1 nose cone is the Big Daddy cone. Fins are hand-cut 1/8 birch ply with 1/16 balsa skins on either side. The skins don't go through the wall, but the fins are glued to the 29mm motor tube. Rings are from JBassham on eBay.

The upscale is 3.074. There's some more clean-up and final fitting before I glue it all together, but I think you can see where it's headed.

First picture shows the whole thing mocked up next to my old Alpha.

Second picture shows the through-the-wall fins into the coupler with the locking ring.

Last picture shows the cap ring in place that will have triangle stock to further lock in the fins. The idea is to build it up to this point including the motor tube and then carefully add the long upper tube last.

This isn't a rush project, but I'll share more pictures as we go along.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  VLA1.jpg
Views: 155
Size:  581.6 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  VLA2.jpg
Views: 99
Size:  545.4 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  VLA3.jpg
Views: 125
Size:  550.5 KB  
__________________
NAR 79743
NARTrek Silver
I miss being SAM 062

Awaiting First Launch: Too numerous to count
Finishing: Zooch Saturn V; Alway/Nau BioArcas; Estes Expedition; TLP Standard
Repair/Rescue: Cherokee-D (2); Centuri Nike-Smoke; MX-774
On the Bench: 2650;
Dream Stage: 1/39.37 R-7

Last edited by MarkB. : 06-01-2021 at 10:56 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-01-2021, 08:30 PM
LeeR's Avatar
LeeR LeeR is offline
Retired with Way Too Many Kits
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,222
Default

Looks great! Nice job on the fins!

I converted the Estes Panavia kit to a big Sky Hook. I went with my own basswood fins, hand cut.

I have a number of 3” tubes and Big Daddy nose cones. I think my next “classic upscale” might be the Astron Drifter.
__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Last edited by LeeR : 06-02-2021 at 06:31 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-01-2021, 09:46 PM
Chas Russell's Avatar
Chas Russell Chas Russell is offline
Retired Missile Technician
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,076
Default

Really intriguing project, Mark. Have you seen James Duffy's youtube video on skinning fin frames with 1/64th plywood? Great video and would probably add some strength to those fins.
Looking forward to your build.

Chas
__________________
Charles Russell, MSgt,USAF (ret.)
NAR 9790, Lvl 1
SAM "Balls Three"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-01-2021, 10:38 PM
rocket.aero rocket.aero is offline
Craftsman
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 173
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkB.
I thought I'd share a quick project with you: my Very Large Alpha. After buying a Mega Red Max and buying the parts for the new Big Red Max, I got to thinking what else could be easily upsized using genuine Estes parts on-line.


Very, very cool. I contend again that this forum needs a "like" button.

The new DBRM is indeed a wonderful starting point for a wide variety of intriguing projects. There's an upscaled Citation Patriot approaching completion that shares the basic DNA from that kit.

James
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-02-2021, 03:36 PM
Ez2cDave's Avatar
Ez2cDave Ez2cDave is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC Area
Posts: 1,743
Default

Mark,

Will you be using ESTES BP motors or going APCP ?

Dave F.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-02-2021, 10:01 PM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,610
Default

Who else was thinking about this?

__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-03-2021, 08:58 AM
ghrocketman's Avatar
ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
President, MAYHEM AGITATORS, Inc.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Nunya Bizznuss, Michigan
Posts: 13,443
Default

I think we need both a "Like" button AND a "DISLIKE" button for posts here on YORF.
Without a DISLIKE button, I don't want a "Like" button. Need to have both or NONE.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-03-2021, 01:46 PM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,610
Default

For us to get a like button, we would have to start paying $$$$$$$. New vBulletin or other forum software costs a chunk to have without annoying advertisements. I like the older simple format. I also like free stuff.
__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-03-2021, 07:31 PM
MarkB.'s Avatar
MarkB. MarkB. is offline
Surfrajettes Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: El Paso
Posts: 1,113
Default

Well, to answer Chas, I did think about 1/64 ply but it has gotten insanely expensive. I need to find a new supplier.

To answer Dave, initially BP but I'm open to APCP.

To answer Zep, I was. When I was there, the antenne were scattered all over the plain.

Finally, while I'm in agreement with the "Like" button, I agree more with free stuff. So if the choice is "Like" or free, I choose free.

More pictures soon.

And Lee, with additional tubing, both my DBRM (to be built with my nephew) and MDRM will be converted to the Long version, making them DLRM and MDLRM respectively
__________________
NAR 79743
NARTrek Silver
I miss being SAM 062

Awaiting First Launch: Too numerous to count
Finishing: Zooch Saturn V; Alway/Nau BioArcas; Estes Expedition; TLP Standard
Repair/Rescue: Cherokee-D (2); Centuri Nike-Smoke; MX-774
On the Bench: 2650;
Dream Stage: 1/39.37 R-7
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-03-2021, 08:34 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 6,472
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rocket.aero
Very, very cool. I contend again that this forum needs a "like" button.

Unfortunately, this old circa 2005 software I'm using does not support that feature.
__________________
Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:24 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024