One of the Johnny's had one in stock when I first started back as a BAR. It was faded and dusty.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

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

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

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

Here's a quick project update:

1. The coils are finished.
2. The Modulator Section was tested on a breadboard and is working.

Next steps are to build out the RF Section.

Please see the Build Log for a more technical discussion of this project.

-Frank

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I’m not an electronics guy, but I really, really appreciate what you are attempting to do and I wholeheartedly hope you succeed. It can be hard enough sometimes to get some of these vintage rocketry items ‘up and running’ even when you have all the original parts on hand. But to basically recreate the entire product is quite an undertaking.

Keep us posted on how it comes out!

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

So it's been a while, but I have put a lot of time (and silliness -- explained at the end) into this project since my last post.

I purchased my first 3D printer and have been learning the idiosyncrasies of that new (to me) technology. It took a good amount of time to learn FreeCAD, and to build out the models for the four plastic pieces. I finally have models and prints that go together well.
(Photo 1).

And Photo 2 shows the parts test fit together.

In all it has been a fun few months learning the world of 3D printing. I believe I'm turning into a 3D monster!

The battery clips had to be shaped from brass strips. I put out a query for ideas on how to get "springy" brass. In the end, I just used leftover pieces from photo etch brass sheets and bent the strips into the proper shape (see Photos #3 & #4).

I didn't want to use the board from the breadboard prototype for the real build because I wanted to keep the breadboard version a little while longer in case I needed to troubleshoot (also to play with RC values -- explained later). So I wound new coils onto a new board, this time documenting the steps and gotchas for the instructions I plan to publish. I received some additional photos from RocketGuy over on YeOldRocket Forum, and he pointed out that the two windings of the smaller coil were wound on top of each other (as opposed to one on top of the board and the other on the bottom side). This was an important catch, and I'm very appreciative for the additional photos!

The next step will be to begin soldering the parts to the board. The plan is to follow the same path as in the prototype -- first build out and test the Modulator section, followed by the RF section. Hopefully everything will go together smoothly.

I should note at this point that the plan is to build this version of the Transroc in the "Spin Rate" configuration. In this mode, a photocell is used to modulate the frequency of an audio tone according to the amount of light falling on the sensor as the rocket spins in flight. I think this mode will give the most useful data as from what I understand, the Microphone mode wasn't as spectacular as one would think. Data from this mode should be easy to analyze with current computing power. Since the original photocell is of unknown value, the breadboard version is going to be used to figure out good values for C, as well as determine if the photocell needs to be masked (as in the original). The final R & C values will be then used on this build.

Now for some silliness...

Goal #1 in the first post of this thread was "Recreate the physical Transroc as close to the original as possible." That includes the battery! Now, the Eveready 504 15v dry cell battery is no longer available. You can get some on ebay, but I tend to think that after all these years there would be no hope in recharging.

A similar replacement is available now.

But wait, that doesn't look like the the original Red and Blue Eveready battery.

Hmmm, what do to...

Well, I made a wrapper and BAM! -- instant 1970's Red and Blue! (See last photo)

Yes, it's silly, but why not!

Stay tuned!

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Wow, looks like things are moving along on this! Of course, YOU know all the work that went into getting where you are now; we just get to see the fruits of it all.

And nothing 'silly' on the battery part. You are trying to re-create a product and an 'experience'. Period movies go to very great expense to do that same thing!

Good luck on your continued progress!

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Looking good !

__________________
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 !

Wow the 3D parts look great...glad to see the battery clips, etc fit in place as I had a hard time measuring those on the assembled Transroc to make the 3D models I sent you. Fantastic job so far and I agree, no silliness at all. Better build two, Estes may want one for their museum

__________________
David Stribling
NAR 18402 SR
But it is rocket science!
Get yer Barrowmans here

Thanks, Dave!



I vaguely remember reading somewhere in a post mentioning the person that designed the Transroc. I keep coming back to it being some relative of Vern Estes (his son maybe)? For the life of me I can't find that post. I'd love to talk to that person to interview for an article on Transroc origins and history. The last update on the vernestes.org site seems to be 12 or so years ago (based on the reference to NARAM 50). Does anyone know if Vern is available via email?

The work continues...

Vern is a member here. He just posted the other day.

__________________
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

He'd have to correct me, but I think it was his brother who was more into electronics than Vern himself was.

__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE