AKA:Project:
JD-L3
I have created this page for my L3 rocket project as a running log so others can get a feel for what it takes to build such a rocket .
The colors in the drawling don't actually represent the paint scheme ,
I just used them to give you a better view of what it will look like internally .

That's me in the middle
 

Specs: 6 inches Dia. x 11' 6"
 around 35 lbs  dry

March 21,2003

After running through the data again it appearas that the R-DAS

recorded a high altitude than previously thought.

which bumps the avg. from the 3 altimeters up to 5,708 ft from 5,683 ft .

 


June 13, 2001

Well if you havn't heard already , I was able to finish & fly AP Freak
at our new launch site on June 10 . I went with a Kosdon M 2240  The weather was outstanding !
It came in a bit heavier than expected around 50 to 55 lbs. loaded .
Here are a few pics I grabbed from my Digital 8 camcorder .

It's a little hard to tell but the flame is about 6 feet long .

A couple of pictures taken by Bill Rossi

Here is the data from the R-DAS that was on board :
  R-DAS said: 5,711 ft Adept beeped out : 5,956 & the Olsen read 5,458 feet

That averages out to : 5,708 just a little bit over a mile high .

May 15, 2001

I was hoping to have it completed in time for the April or May Tripoli MD launch , but
I have been working WAY too many hours for this to take place .
I can say now that I will definately have it ready for the METRA 2 day launch in
Wawayanda NY.
The rocket will also be carring the new R-DAS Kompact flight computer
for data logging .
If all goes well & is certified in time I will be flying it on the new AT M 1315 Redline motor .!
 
 
 


March 17, 2001

I decided to forgo the extra coat of West & just coat the fins with a mix of West & filler additives .
A coat of primer is probably all I'll be able to get done before the launch in 2 weeks .
 

March 5, 2001
Another periodic update:
I'm more or less finished with actually construction .
All I have left to do is cosmetic work to the airframe  sanding ; filling the
imperfection & a filler coat of West Systems epoxy .
I'll post more pictures soon as the weather breaks so I can stand it up
outside .
You can see below the Rock Sim file I created . I'm not really sure if the
weight is accurate .
I plan to fly it with an Olsen FCP-M2 flight computer & Adept ALTS 25
For redundant recovery .
The Olsen was chosen because of its' ability to be programed to fire the apogee charge 1.75 sec. after apogee ,you can also program the lower
main deployment @ any altitude from 20,000 ft down to 100 ft in 50 ft increments making it very versatile .
My earlier encounter with a 6" dia. rocket ended in demise due to both
altimeters going off @ the same time .The Adept unit is one of the newer
ALTS 25's where you have at least 4 different low altitude settings .
The plan will be to fire the first apogee charge with the ALTS 25 & have the
Olsen back it up a 1.75 sec. later . followed by the Olsen fire the main @
1,400 ft & the Adept go off @ 1,200 ft AGL .


Updated on : Feb. 22,2001
I'm almost finished .
I just have 2 more sets of fillets on the fins & mount booster bulkhead.
Here's  a pic of electronics bay w/ access hatch removed
& mounting board with altimeters mount to it


Jan 22, 2001
I have just completed the electronics bay .
all I have to do now is apply another layer of 3 oz glass to the payload tube
& 2 sets of fillets on the fin can along with prime & paint it .
Pictures to follow ....


Jan 6, 2001
 

Things are moving along nicely , I have the fin can/motor mount glued up ;
The bottom rail button has been mounted & I have fiber glassed and filleted 1 of the
4 sides of the fins .
   I hope to take some more photos with my APS camera  & have them developed
They have been sitting in there since the start of the project ,hopefully they will all
come out  .
Today I was able to double wall the shoulder of the nose cone with a piece of coupler tubing to help prevent any damage that may occur during the flight . This will also serve as a lip that the bulkhead will
butt up against .
 


Dec 10, 2000

Well it's been a while since the last update .
I have some new photos .
The total length will be about 11 ft


These picture shows the fin/motor tube joint & upper struts that will help dissipate any stress loads along with a hard point for one of the 2 rail guides

( The section with the lightening holes drilled into it ).

Oct. 2 ,2000
I have some pictures of it being dry fit before any major glue ups .
The fins can is almost finished  .

 

Sept. 30 , 2000
I was hoping to have it done for the Oct. 28& 29 Maryland Tripoli , but I guess they'll have to wait until Dec or the spring .
Aug. 30, 2000
I have to really get on my horse now if I want to finish by my dead line of Sept. 30 . I was able  to reinforce the fin / motor tube joint with West Systems & 9 oz glass tape 
some pics below of what I did .


April 23 , 2000
I finally found some more time & I have a pic  ! 

This session I was able to cut the payload tube to size & do some more fiberglass lay-ups .
I just glassed the upper booster section ( lower tube ) with another layer of cloth  ;
it being  a 3 oz. E type fiber glass . 
While I was doing that I also glassed the Payload tube ( shorter tube )

March 26, 2000
Time has passed without much progress . I have glassed the fin portion of the booster ( 24" )
with 6 oz & 4 oz plain weave cloth ( sanding between layer of coarse )& cut 4 slots for each of the 4 fins ( in that order ). I also glassed the upper booster section ( 4 ft long ) with a layer of 9 oz E type fiberglass cloth .  The upper section will get layer of 3 oz once the tube has been sanded down .
Feb. 29 , 2000
I have decided to go with an Aerotech M1315 instead of the Kosdon M 2240 .
Reason being that it will be easier to build & come by . 
All the parts have been cut out & are ready for assembly .
Feb. 26 , 2000
The design has changed a little ; the rocket's overall length will be between 11 & 12 feet tall 
and the fins are  larger . I have started to glass the first part of the booster tube ; a 2 foot section of PML tubing covered with 6 oz & 4 oz plain weave fiber glass cloth from Fiber Glast .
I plan on applying this to the entire rocket . 
Jan 19 , 2000
Right now I'm in the design phase , & just trying to get a  running weight on it .
I have all the parts & just need to cut out the 4-3/8" x 7 Ply fins that I'll be using .
Motor mount will be a 3" or 75 mm motor , most likely a Kosdon M 2240 Fast.

Updated on : March 21,2003