The Rocket
03-11-2008, 06:30 PM
#1
The Rocket
I decided to bring out something new this Spring....something quick, something with a
lot of power. I had this Harmon Rocket in the pile, nice plane....it calls for a .46 ....
....yeah, right.
....I'm stuffin' this tuned pipe OS Max 90 FSR in it. That should work. 
FBD.
lot of power. I had this Harmon Rocket in the pile, nice plane....it calls for a .46 ....
....yeah, right.
....I'm stuffin' this tuned pipe OS Max 90 FSR in it. That should work. FBD.
03-11-2008, 07:16 PM
#2
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RE: The Rocket
ORIGINAL: Flyboy Dave
...it calls for a .46 ....
....yeah, right.....I'm stuffin' this tuned pipe OS Max 90 FSR in it. That should work.
FBD.
...it calls for a .46 ....
....yeah, right.
....I'm stuffin' this tuned pipe OS Max 90 FSR in it. That should work. FBD.
03-11-2008, 11:54 PM
#8
RE: The Rocket
ORIGINAL: HaveBlue
Dave, I have made to this philosphy with planes is base my decision more around R.P.M
and then displacement..but none the less..I love it [sm=thumbup.gif]
Dave, I have made to this philosphy with planes is base my decision more around R.P.M
and then displacement..but none the less..I love it [sm=thumbup.gif]
I tried a YS .91FZ....the engine as too long. I tried a Rossi full tuned pipe .61, and a full tuned
pipe OS Max .61FSR....neither would fit because the bend in the header was too tight, and the
pipe wouldn't clear the fuse and wing. [:@]
So, a quick trip to the LHS for a big mount for the big block FSR, and I'm in business.
Hey...they called it the Harmon Rocket.....
...."Rocket" it is.
03-17-2008, 06:49 AM
#13
RE: The Rocket
I did a search here on RCU on the Harmon Rocket in the ARF Forum and found several
threads. It looks like the Rocket has a few problems. [
]
If you put all three servos in the tail (one for the ruder, 2 for the elevator) it comes out
way too tail heavy with a regular engine. One guy had to put a pound of weight in the nose.
By the time you fill the tank, the weight of the plane makes it fly like a brick. There are
flutter issues with the horz. stab, and a couple failures and crashes. I saw that the tail
feathers didn't look good, that's why I did the search. The design of the stabs isn't too hot
either. The tail feathers look like a J-3 Cub.
The stock landing gear is too soft and bends on every landing. Some of the guys have
replaced the landing gear. I have a tough plastic gear I might try to fit.
My insane choice of a powerplant might not work out....oh well, it's not the first mistake
I ever made. I wouldn't be too happy if I stuffed that engine, it's one of my prized motors.
I don't really care about the plane....it's just another $150 dollar ARF to me.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/sear...mitbutton=+OK+
threads. It looks like the Rocket has a few problems. [
]If you put all three servos in the tail (one for the ruder, 2 for the elevator) it comes out
way too tail heavy with a regular engine. One guy had to put a pound of weight in the nose.
By the time you fill the tank, the weight of the plane makes it fly like a brick. There are
flutter issues with the horz. stab, and a couple failures and crashes. I saw that the tail
feathers didn't look good, that's why I did the search. The design of the stabs isn't too hot
either. The tail feathers look like a J-3 Cub.
The stock landing gear is too soft and bends on every landing. Some of the guys have
replaced the landing gear. I have a tough plastic gear I might try to fit.
My insane choice of a powerplant might not work out....oh well, it's not the first mistake
I ever made. I wouldn't be too happy if I stuffed that engine, it's one of my prized motors.
I don't really care about the plane....it's just another $150 dollar ARF to me.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/sear...mitbutton=+OK+
03-17-2008, 08:09 AM
#14
RE: The Rocket
Nice combo Dave!
I would seriously reccomend the horiz stab beef and to move the servos aft of the wing one bay - you certainly don't want them out in the slipstream - do you?
I added wood to the horiz stab and laminated top and bottom w/carbon roving.
Also beef up the wing mount.
I used carbon gear to .60 size funtana $23 from Horizon
I went Saito 82A and am very happy with it.
I would seriously reccomend the horiz stab beef and to move the servos aft of the wing one bay - you certainly don't want them out in the slipstream - do you?
I added wood to the horiz stab and laminated top and bottom w/carbon roving.
Also beef up the wing mount.
I used carbon gear to .60 size funtana $23 from Horizon
I went Saito 82A and am very happy with it.
03-17-2008, 11:51 AM
#15
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RE: The Rocket
I have seen one that had issues with the tail, as well as the fuselage just aft of the wing, not sure what went first.
It was rebuilt but I was not impressed with the original design at all!
For what its worth I think the Cub is built better given its flight envelope....
It was rebuilt but I was not impressed with the original design at all!
For what its worth I think the Cub is built better given its flight envelope....
03-17-2008, 12:12 PM
#17
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RE: The Rocket
Lookin' good Dave!
Don't worry about flutter, weak joint's and bad habbit's on that baby.
That is what lot's of epoxy and scrap spruce is for!
I know your a mechanic and could probably repair the Space Shuttle with some zip tie's and bailing wire![X(]
GET-R-DONE and bring her.[>:]
If you are timid about the maiden, I'm sure Razor will be standing right behind you ready to do the honor's!
Don't worry about flutter, weak joint's and bad habbit's on that baby.
That is what lot's of epoxy and scrap spruce is for!
I know your a mechanic and could probably repair the Space Shuttle with some zip tie's and bailing wire![X(]
GET-R-DONE and bring her.[>:]
If you are timid about the maiden, I'm sure Razor will be standing right behind you ready to do the honor's!
03-19-2008, 11:04 PM
#18
RE: The Rocket
I got sidetracked slightly by the passing of my pet Kitty on Monday. []
I am re-doing the tail feathers in solid 1/4" balsa. I can lighten the surfaces if necessary. I am
also going to use a different design for both the vert. and the horiz. stabs....something without
a built in flutter.
The design of these tail feathers sux.
FBD.
]I am re-doing the tail feathers in solid 1/4" balsa. I can lighten the surfaces if necessary. I am
also going to use a different design for both the vert. and the horiz. stabs....something without
a built in flutter.
The design of these tail feathers sux.
FBD.
03-20-2008, 09:57 PM
#21
RE: The Rocket
ORIGINAL: Flyboy Dave
....I got some work done on the Rocket.
Engine mount finished.
Pressure fitting installed on the head-pipe.
New Tru-Turn spinner installed.
Cowling fitted and cut for intake, head, and pipe.
Prop installed.
FBD.
....I got some work done on the Rocket.
Engine mount finished.
Pressure fitting installed on the head-pipe.
New Tru-Turn spinner installed.
Cowling fitted and cut for intake, head, and pipe.
Prop installed.
FBD.
the 1st picture in post #10.... the engine box behind the Rocket.......... FP 20
whats up with dat ??? the FSR too heavy????
03-21-2008, 07:01 AM
#23
RE: The Rocket
Hey Dave,
Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how painful a loss of a good animal friend can be - tougher than many humans.
I've got a little buddie who is getting up in years and slowing down a bit - and he probally thinks the same about me.
What do you have planned for the tail feathers?
Extending a small area forward the hinge line?
Your cowl cut outs look great.
Can't wait to hear your comments on this powerplant installation[8D]
Oh yeah, did I mention the nasty violent snaprolls this plane performs after proper strengthening?
Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how painful a loss of a good animal friend can be - tougher than many humans.
I've got a little buddie who is getting up in years and slowing down a bit - and he probally thinks the same about me.
What do you have planned for the tail feathers?
Extending a small area forward the hinge line?
Your cowl cut outs look great.
Can't wait to hear your comments on this powerplant installation[8D]
Oh yeah, did I mention the nasty violent snaprolls this plane performs after proper strengthening
?
03-27-2008, 10:32 PM
#24
RE: The Rocket
....well, I bought 3 pieces of 1/4"x 3"x 48" light balsa to remake the tail feathers. The plan
is to shape them the same as the tail on a Patriot, of which I have a kit in the box around
here somewhere. The tail feathers are of poor design on this plane IMO. I might brace the
stabs as well, just for over-kill.
I don't think this plane will be real fast....but it will be a terror on the vertical up lines.
FBD.
is to shape them the same as the tail on a Patriot, of which I have a kit in the box around
here somewhere. The tail feathers are of poor design on this plane IMO. I might brace the
stabs as well, just for over-kill.
I don't think this plane will be real fast....but it will be a terror on the vertical up lines.
FBD.
