Sean's+Estes+G+powered+Thunderhawk

UPSCALE ESTES THUNDERHAWK BUILT BY SEAN O'NEILL
 * [[image:Sean_G_upscale_Thunderhawk_1.jpg]]

ROCKET CONSTRUCTION** This rocket was designed to fly on single 29mm motors. Concept was designed around the Estes Thunderhawk which I have been flying for many years now. The major differences being the airframe material, fin attatchment and the motor mount. All other details are similar to the Estes kit.

BODY The body is made from 2inch diameter plastic tubing (lightwieght drainpipe) cut to the appropriate length. The Fins are thin firm plastic, cut and shaped with profiled leading edges. The fins are bolted onto the main airframe via a 'T' section of aluminium. Three slots have been cut into the tube the full length of the root cord of the fins. A tee section piece of aluminium (form B&Q) is then epoxyied to the inside of the tube for each slot with the Tee section protruding out from the side of the body. The 29mm motor mount tube made from 32mm high temperature waste pipe. The 00motor mount assembly is fixed to the airframe with screws for inspection after flight and easy repair. Decals and colour scheme are exact replica of the Estes kit.

NOSECONE The most difficult part of a rocket to make is the nosecone. Commercially available nosecones do not fit the tubes I use. So I decided to make my own. It is a lot of work but it means that you can make it whatever size and shape you want. It is more satisfying also to know that you have make every part. The nose cone is home-made and turned on a Dlack and Decker drill from solid balsa. This is glued to a section of tubing to slot onto the main airframe. The nosecone is smoothed on the drill with fine sandpaper and then sealed with PVA glue before final coating/filling etc. Done carefully no balsa grain is visible.

RECOVERY SYSTEM The shock cord is 2inch wide flat elastic. The shock cord can easily be examined or replaced if found to be damaged.. The parachute is a home-made 18inch diameter rip-stop nylon.

FLIGHTS First flight was at LARGS International rocketry weekend in Scotland in 1998. The flight was flawless and no damage sustained. First flight was on a F25w-4 Aerotech single use motor. Above image shows me with the rocket ready for its first flight

Above image shows a later dusk launch of the Thunderhawk at a seperate location. Again the motor was a F25W-4

Above images show the rocket on its last flight befor a MAJOR rebuild! The flight was great on a G40-4W but the deployment charge did not go off but even if it did the rocket was travelling too fast horizontally due to the launch angle. This would have ripped off the chute anyway if it had deployed. The rocket came down heavy and the main airframe had to be completely rebuilt. Lessons learnt are NOT to launch into wind but to always launch straight up. Notice the reflection of the motor flame in the patch of water at the bottom of the second image. The flame of the G motor is a good deal longer than the F motor also.