Thanks wilsotr...

That's at least one successful test flight plus about a year off...

In the mean time, more build photos. This set shows the "servo hut" and associated control runs. Also threw in some pix of the Spektrum AR500 full range receiver (case removed to save weight). The servos are Dymond D47's (probably the best sub 5gram servos made). I still have to put connectors on the Dimension Engineering 4.8v DC/DC converter. That little 1.8 gram device will allow me to use a single LiPo cell to power everything.

Regards,

DJ

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... getting down to the wire. Some notes on the really dull and boring stuff. Fins were cut from contest grade balsa, tip reinforcements added, then sealed. One coat of MinWax sanding sealer followed by a layer of Silkspan on the booster and Japanese tissue on the glider. Water based polyurethane is used as the binder. The foam wing saddle on the booster/carrier fuselage gets the same treatment.

DJ

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Final assembly prior to painting.... no more trial fitting. No more test pieces. Design frozen! (I like to take lots of pictures at this point because there are only two things I can do to it from here on out... screw up the paint job or crash it.) Only one critical element remains - the "Mouse Trap" (coming in next photo set). After that, most of what's left to complete is pure drudgery. Sanding, sealing, priming... sanding, priming, taping , painting. You know the drill.

Regards,

DJ

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NICE!

Steve

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We should build a Bridge to the Stars

Hostile Projectiles

DJ

I followed your entire built thread to date. The BlackStar TSTO is spectacular!

.

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Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

This is an amazing build! Very kewl concept. I love a design you can really sink your teeth into and this one's got it all!

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Thanks gents! Considering the body of work you have all contributed to the hobby and this forum... high praise indeed.

Sorry, no new photos this week. I've been a little under the weather and have just not gotten much done. Besides, photos of paint drying don't make for the most exciting presentation. Anyway, here's what remains on the "to do prior to launch" list. (After the primer coat has had time to dry.)

-Finish soldering up connectors for the R/c gear.
-Re-install linkages and hinges that were reimoved for painting.
-Check control throws and mixing.
-Static test fire motors with the hold back fitting in place. This will be done twice to simulate failure of either the upper or lower motor to light.
-One more ejection system test with all the parachute rigging installed and the "Mouse Trap" holding the glider in place.
-Final checks of the the C.G. for both the glider and the combined stack. The glider is balanced with an expended motor, the stack must balance with live motors.



Regards

DJ

The part that holds the whole thing together... "The Mouse Trap".

Here's how it works; the parachute piston has a tab on it that butts up against the Orbiter, forcing it onto the mating pins. While both motors are producing thrust, the stack is rigidly held together. When the ejection charge fires, the piston is fired out the back releasing the Orbiter. In the milliseconds before the parachute deploys, the Orbiter is pushed off the mating pins by air loads and inertial loads.

Regards,

DJ

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...probably the last photos of the R/c gear before gluing on the nose fairing. Items shown include the AR500 receiver, the arming pin/switch on the aft bulkhead and the voltage booster mounted on top of the battery bay.

Regards

DJ

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.. a few photos of the model in its primer coat. Detailing, decals and matt finish won't be added until after it flies.

Next photo set - the hold back fitting.

Regards

DJ

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