Mini Farside-X
 

With the advent of the Estes mini Comanche (Minimanche?), I got to thinking about a mini Farside-X. But I'm still pondering the payload section. I need to find a payload tube that gives me a similar proportion as the BT-60/BT-50 on the real thing (~1.68). I tried BT-50 to BT-20 (1.33) and BT-20 to BT-5 (1.36). Both seem too far off.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure a mini Farside-X can be built which will fly well on an A10-0T to A10-0T to 1/2A3-4T combo. But I need a better payload section.

What do y'all recommend? I expect there's a Centuri tube that ought to be just right for the BT-5 (or maybe BT-20) as the main tube. Proportionally, it would be ~1.68*0.544 or about 0.91". Is that ST-8? Something else?


Doug

.

If you are using a BT-5 for the bottom, the .91" (actually .908") would be the Centuri/Semroc ST-8. BT-5 and ST-5 are actually interchangeable. If you are using BT-20, Semroc Series 115 (LT-115) tubing would work for your payload section.

That is a REALLY cool idea. And laying on my workbench at home is a bag of old mini motors which contains a number 1/2A3-0Ts........(need evil grin emoticon)

There's a nose cone for LT-115 tubing that looks close - http://www.semroc.com/Store/Scripts...p?idproduct=491

The harder part is the ST8 to LT-115 balsa transition. We'd need Carl to make a custom part I think - there's not one like that in the catalog now.

Yes, we do. That, and a two-thumbs-up emoticon, too :)

Doug

.

Those are perfect for the 2nd stage. I recommend using the A10-0T in the first stage, tho, to make sure it's moving well when it leaves the rod.

I've flown my 3-stage Midget on that setup with good results.

Doug

.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too.....

Thanks for the confirmation, Mike.

Having flown a 3-stage Midget using BT-5 for the two boosters, I know for sure it will leave the rod with good velocity. So I think I'll go that route.

BTW, I think I already have a piece of ST-8 somewhere in my stash. I got an order from Totally Tubular years ago that included what they then called T-.908, I don't think I've ever done anything with it.


That's good input as well. But I'm afraid using co-axial tubes - ie, BT-5 motor tubes inside of BT-20 airframe - for the boosters will add too much weight. OTOH, forgoing the BT-5 motor tubes and using A8-0S booster motors instead might work ;) That is, make the booster sections miniumum diameter. Of course, it won't be so mini anymore :) I'll have to play around with it in Rocksim to see what kinda of rod speeds I can get.

Doug

.

I can turn these, but if Semroc had the payload section kit - transition, tube, nosecone - I'd buy it <hint, hint> ;)


Doug

.

Or, use a paper shroud to "fake" the transition.

Not to go too "far" off topic, but I wish Estes would consider 1/4A3-0 and 1/2A3-0 motors so we could do low power backyard or small park flying. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your baby Farside-X, Doug. I wonder if a MMX version would work> Any experiences? MM?

Terry Dean