I scored an Estes Outlander Kit from a TRF member. It won't arrive until next week.

After reading the handful of build threads on TRF, Ye Ole Rocktery Forum, and those on the RocketReviews site, it seems this rocket is underpowered with the 18mm motors? An upgrade of the motor mount to 24mm, or possibly 29mm, is planned. Also, the leg attachment seems overly complicated and problematic, so I'll likely hinge the Landing Legs from the Gear Housings.

Also purchased a set of decals from Sirius Rocketry that are more NASA inspired.

In order to prepare for the build I've been reading the Estes Instructions, along with building a model of the Outlander in Open Rocket. I'll update the OR model once the kit arrives.

Here's a really cool launch video of an upscale Outlander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXR0y4p5cB4

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002110_OUTLANDER.pdf (1.32 MB, 8 views)

__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

I kept a couple of shampoo bottles and stashed them in the barn because they had hemispherical ends on them.​
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Chucked the threaded portion in the wood lathe and parted the end off of each. Then I used a hole saw to cut a 1-11/16" hole in each one.​
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The two halves need to be glued together... so I'm doing a little R&D with some Duco Cement to see what works best.​ Any suggestions?

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

This should be REALLY cool! I upgraded an Outlander to a 24mm engine mount years ago but never a 29mm.

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Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

It's so heavy, 29mm is certainly appropriate.
On 18mm anything short of a D21 or 24 is a joke.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, AGITATION, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, AGGRAVATION, INSTIGATION, NUISANCE-ACTION, and HAVOC !

Used a short piece of a Cedar 4 x 4 that was used as a post for the last 42 years at our home to turn the nose cone cap on the wood lathe.

Ultimate recycling...

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

Now THAT'S a nose cone !

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, AGITATION, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, AGGRAVATION, INSTIGATION, NUISANCE-ACTION, and HAVOC !

...

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop

Used my trusty "fly cutter" to make the centering rings. Gluing them onto the BT-52HMF, then I'll sand the ring o.d.'s on the wood lathe.​
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Cut the BT-50H tank heads on the wood lathe using a 1" dia. Pine dowel. Started gluing the heads onto the tanks. One of the tanks is for Altimeter storage, that's what the holes are for. . The altimeter is secured with recycled e-match wire. Loop one end through the altimeter, run the wire up through the two holes, and twist the wire together

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__________________
John Simmons a.k.a. "Lakeroadster"
NAR 113985
My Fleet with Build Data: Lakeroadster's Rocket Shop