March 2010
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What’s New (March 2010)

DragonWorks Update

Slowly coming back up to speed (don’t want to rush anything), there is not much to report this early in March, except that I have been updating and adding to the links bar on this website.  In the mean time, I have been working on getting a place to build rockets.  The shop, which was so handy for building rockets, and making propellant, lost it’s power do to a change in property ownership.  A long story really, but the short of it is, my workshop’s power used to come from my father-n-law’s house, which is now owned by my wife’s niece…and my wife and I own the property that the shop sits on.  Needless to say, we could not ask that my wife’s niece pay for my power needs…to add to that, I have been banned from building rockets in the house, due to some minor infractions caused from epoxy drippings on the carpet, thus my lack of proper facilities with which to do my rocket activities.  Luckily, with the weather starting to warm,and with the ease at which the Dark Star kit seems to be to build, I may be able to get the kit built while working outside…we’ll see!!  Until such time as I get something to fly, I will yet again, will miss a launch (HARA/MC2 in Manchester, TN) due to lack of a launch vehicle…Here’s hoping to seeing everyone on the field soon.

Dark Star with Dual Deploy

Photo Courtesy of Wildman Rocketry
Dark Star

I recently purchased a Dark Star rocket kit from Wildman, Tim Lehr.  At $109, this kit is well worth the money with many of the features that Wildman specifies for his kits.  Mr. Tim Lehr really seems to know what the rocket community desires in a quality kit.  To compliment the kit, I also ordered a 38mm Aeropack motor retainerto go with it.  I would like to make my return (again) to rocketry as quick as possible, as I remember all of the things that I used to enjoy with the hobby.  However, one of the aspects that I have truly come to enjoy with this hobby, which has to do with rocket construction, is laminating Kraft tube airframes with composite materials and epoxy, in order to strengthen the airframe.  Well, anyone one who has spent time laminating tubes knows, that there is nothing “quick” about it.  Hence is one of the many reasons why the Dark Star kit is so attractive…the kit is ALL filament wound fiberglass, meaning no Kraft tubing to work with.  The split fin is also a nice touch, as I am a fool for multiple fin design rockets…

 
I will write more as I build or complete the build of the kit.  It should go quickly; it looks like it may take longer to decide on a paint scheme than it will be to finish construction…See you on the field!