Next-Generation water rocket shuttle

[dongfang]

Hi,

Some may remember my water rocket plane
[youtube][/youtube],
[youtube][/youtube],

http://www.wra2.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=319
It had the small problem of never being able to handle very high speeds. Its wings began flapping.

Now I have made a next-generation version, with structured wings. The material is still the same. The plane is a little smaller than the previous one, but its water rocket will be about 4.5 liters instead of 1.5.

Here it is, half finished. Top covering of the wings is still not on. The 4 servos are: The outer 2 for ailerons (to roll and steer the plane) and the center 2 are the elevator servos. I did not use "elevons" because I want to have a gyro loop on the elevator later.

Regards
Soren

[dongfang]

Hi,

... and it can fly!

Before smashing up the plane with a rocket, I wanted to try flying it and adjust it is possible. I cut apart a failed bottle rocket (3 * 2 liter) and put a battery, motor and propeller inside it. It weighs about 400 grams + 80 for the battery.

I tried to do some vertical dives - no speed problems with this one. Flies very stably - although slightly overloaded with the motor and stuff on board. I can't wait till I get it going with a rocket now...

Regards
Soren

[reno1]

Looks great Dongfang, hope this time the high speed flutter doesn't strip your servos. Are you using metal gears? I have to use micro servos with metal gears in my electric jet b/c it would flutter the control surface at high speed and strip the plastic ones.

[chriswaterrockets]

Hey Soren

This looks awsome!! I really hope it's gonna work!

christian

[dongfang]

Hi Reno,

Yes it´s metal gears on the elevator servos. If you look at the picture with the blue table, you can see a thick and straight rod on the elevator, and a thinner rod with a bend on it on the aileron. The ailerons just got plastic HS-55ers. They will not be used in the high speed phase anyway.

Chris, we gotta meet one day!

Regards
Soren

[Spaceman Spiff]

That has got to be the coolest water rocket ever designed! I've never seen anyone put that much work into a rocket. I can't wait to hear how it flies under power. Good luck!

[Tim Chen]

Congratulations for putting everyone else in the water rocket hobby to shame with this beautiful design!

I'm ashamed to show my rockets now!










I'm kidding! Nice work!

[CSAldridge]

would definitely like to see video of this launch. I had considered a missile fin r/c design for recovery, but this is alot more ambitious than my idea. my only r/c plane experience is with a glider.

[Scorpion_XIII]

Hi,

that's great! Nice work

[U.S. Water Rockets1]

Hi,

that's great! Nice work

Thanks for bringing this topic back up to the top of the list. It's been a while since we heard anything about this promising project. It is so impressive that he can make a design like this with no plans or engineering and be able to make it fly by instinct. That's a real good talent!

[dcraven]

Are there results or video how the water rocket shuttle did when it switched to rocket power? I also have experience w/ RC's and am very interested in building something similar.

[WRA2]

Are there results or video how the water rocket shuttle did when it switched to rocket power? I also have experience w/ RC's and am very interested in building something similar.

Welcome to the forum

It is nice to see so many new faces here!

[Spaceman Spiff]

Are there results or video how the water rocket shuttle did when it switched to rocket power? I also have experience w/ RC's and am very interested in building something similar.

I'm curious too! Please post pics or video if you have some!!!!

[Spaceman Spiff]

It looks as if Soren has been making some interesting progress on his design!

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Brian]

great flight, lucky no damage from that tree. it looks real fun flying that rocket