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. :eek:....I'm stuffin' this tuned pipe OS Max 90 FSR in it. That should work. :D

FBD. :D

RE: The Rocket
 

Dave I like the way you think...I did the same thing everytime I bought a car and it only had a small block in it..(not that theres anything wrong with a small block)..the only adjustment 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]

RE: The Rocket
 

FBD
Where is the Nitrous Oxide tank going to go.:D

RE: The Rocket
 

Flyboy Dave, you have "ENLARGED C.I. SYNDROME"
Was this you back in the day before you went in for treatment?

RE: The Rocket
 

.....I don't think this puppy will need nitrous.....:)

I ordered a few props and a True Turn spinner. I binned the plastic spinner....:D

RE: The Rocket
 

....the treatments didn't work.....bigger is still better. :)

RE: The Rocket
 

SJ: where do you find all these 'groovy' photos? :)

Man, I hope I can see this fly Dave, before you rip the wings off. :D

RE: The Rocket
 

I'm of the same inclination (most of the time) HaveBlue....:D
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. :D

Hey...they called it the Harmon Rocket.....

...."Rocket" it is. :)

RE: The Rocket
 

Now I want to see that bay go!

NICE

RE: The Rocket
 

....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. :D

RE: The Rocket
 

:D

RE: The Rocket
 

nice fit[sm=thumbs_up.gif]

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. [:o]

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. :eek:

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+

RE: The Rocket
 

Nice combo Dave!:D

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.

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....

RE: The Rocket
 

Designed for a .46 and has a .90 stuffed in it. Who needs tail surfaces? :D

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!;)

RE: The Rocket
 

I got sidetracked slightly by the passing of my pet Kitty on Monday. [:o]

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. :eek:

The design of these tail feathers sux. :eek:

FBD.

RE: The Rocket
 

Bummer about your little buddy Dave. Sorry to hear it. [:o]

RE: The Rocket
 

....thank you, Tom....she liked airplanes too. ;)

RE: The Rocket
 

the 1st picture in post #10.... the engine box behind the Rocket.......... FP 20

whats up with dat ??? the FSR too heavy????

RE: The Rocket
 

....I think I got that box in with a buy-out of a local modeler. I have never owned an FP 20. :)

I do own a bushing OS 15, and I did have a bushing OS 25. :D

FBD. :D

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;)?

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. :D