Die Fledermaus Build Update
Much progress of late on Die Fledermaus (even though all the parts for BAAH-1, my L1 cert bird, have arrived—though I have not yet ordered the parachute and heat shield).
The rocket’s built, and now primed. As I type, the primer is drying. The rocket has very much become a prototype vehicle for the build techniques I’ll use on BAAH-1, to the point that, though Die Fledermaus will initially fly on G motors, it’s probably strong enough to take an I motor, maybe more. Rather than a verbal blow-by-blow, here are the pictures construction pictures.
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- Looking in the forward end of the airframe, with the forward centering ring, U-bolt, and shock cord visible.
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- Aft end of the airframe, with the mid centering ring visible and the first fin slot cut begun.
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- Outside view of the beginning of the first fin slot. Note the markings, and the position label (“1”), for fin matching.
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- First fin installed, epoxied, and curing.
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- Second fin installed, epoxied, and curing.
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- Aft view of the airframe, with fins installed, all interior fillets complete, and epoxy applied to fin tab aft edges.
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- Close-up of the launch lug installation and alignment.
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- Launch lugs epoxied in place, with a dowel keeping them aligned.
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- Close-up of a fin joint, prior to painting. The gray in the fillet is from the JB Weld used for the initial bond.
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- Die Fledermaus ready for painting
Finally, repeating the overall picture of the rocket ready for painting. (Why are so many of my “pictures of rocket ready for painting” taken at night?)
Die Fledermaus ready for painting