I'm currently working on a Cherokee-D clone project and stumbled across some information that the original Damon kit was frequently unstable using the supplied 16-1/2" body tube. Apparenetly, the Cherokee-D had a habit of sharply veering off horizontally at about 100 feet of altitude.

Referring to the Estes Cherokee-D plan (K-47) and matching the part numbers up leads me to believe I should scrap the 16-1/2" tube and go with the18" tube spec'd in the Estes plan. Reportedly Estes lengthened the tube to overcome the instability problem.

I want to fly this thing. Anyone disagree with the longer body tube?

Thanks!

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Kit (aka Cranky Kong)

I'm just a roadie for the banned...

I built my clone using the shorter tube. Flew it a few years ago 3 or 4 times on the same day with no stabilty issues, but it was very calm weather. I'll probably add a bit of nose weight for luck before I fly it again. Just my
nickle's worth…

S.

I have a clone using the shorter tube ( not yet flown ) . but lost my vintage short-tube version and never had stability issues.

I also am about done with a restoration on an 18" tube original, I screwed up the roll pattern wrap, so waiting on replacement decal

pics of the pair to follow, give me a few to get my ac together, lol .

~ AL

I think the shorter tube version looks better, and mine has flown without issue using 18mm motors. For 24mm motors, I hook a quick link to the screw eye just in case.

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I love sanding.

While it doesn't look quite as nice at 18", it definitely flies better. I lost both my first Cherokee-D's on their first flights, with exactly the flight path you described. I put nose weight in the third and kept it for awhile! Doesn't take much, though.

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Roy
nar12605

Thanks for the advice and opinions.

I picked up an 18" BT-55 this afternoon at the local hobby shop and I will be going that route.

More to follow as the build progresses.

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Kit (aka Cranky Kong)

I'm just a roadie for the banned...

Great information! A clone of a Cherokee-D is starting to show up on my "must build it" radar, so this is timely. I am leaning toward building the K-47 (short-tube version) and adding a little bit of nose weight to it to insure that it has a good stability margin.

MarkII

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SAM # 0011

Here are Rocksim comparisons between the BT-55V (16.35") tube and 18" tube. Both are stable according to RS

Attached Thumbnails

   

Attached Files

CherokeeD_K47.RKT (46.3 KB, 62 views)

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

This is one of the first clones I built upon becoming a BAR in late 1999. I had purchased an Estes Designer's Special, and it had everything I needed other than decals, which I got from JimZ, and later got a backup set from Tango Papa, IIRC. I went for maybe 8 years before finally adding the decals Anyway, at the time I built it, I didn't have Rocksim, so I used the swing method instead. I was surprised to find the rocket would fly stable backwards

Doug

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YORF member #11

I thought the same thing happened to me, but I mistakenly identified the PNC-55BB as being the correct cone for the Cherokee D. I flew it for several years before anyone mentioned the error to me. My first clone got gutted by a CATO, and some time later was turned into a Cherokee E, which then proceeded to fly out of the VOA on its first flight. Never to be seen again.

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Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Mini Dactyl 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