Estes Saturn V Nozzle Modification

Two different Estes Saturn V projects modified to fly with nozzles in place. The first has only one 24mm motor mount, and lacks the central nozzle. The second project is a full 5-motor cluster; one 24mm central and four 18mm outboard motor mounts, with stuffer tubes. The nozzles were sliced with a razor saw to allow the 24mm and 18mm tubes to pass through them. The motor tubes are flush with the end of the nozzles, but the motors themselves protrude about 1/4" below the nozzles. This prevents them from melting or becoming excessively dirty from motor exhaust.

Note: these modifications (especially #2) require the addition of additional nose weight to maintain stability.


Here are some good resources on clustering BP rocket motors:

http://www.narhams.org/library/zog-43/19-06/006.html

http://www.narhams.org/tech/006-Clustering.pdf

http://www.info-central.org/design_cluster.shtml

http://www.apogeerockets.com/clip-whip.asp




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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Estes
• Saturn
• Nozzle
• Modification
• Model
• Rocket
• NARHAMS
• BP
• Motor
• Cluster
• Clustering

[donkeyxotedelamanche]

What NAR Section are you out of may I ask ... I'm in CATO in CT.

[v16050118130114]

I am an irregular flyer with NARHAMS, Section 139, in the DC area. I haven't been very active for the past couple of years, though.

The Estes Saturn comes with all 5 nozzles, for display only... the nozzle section removes for flight, and it has a single "D" 24mm motor mount. However, I modified these to fly with some of the display nozzles in place. The clustered variant will fly with all 5 nozzles in place, with the motor tubes running through them, making it necessary to trim the bells.

[virgomonkey68]

hi

i tried to fire a cluster of 9 estes rocket motors but they did not fire at all.i thought to give them max voltage at twelve volts of a car battery but i guess the heat rise was too quick and did not ignite any of them. Basically how do you ensure simultaneous ignition of 9 engines? Will the supplied lauch unit do the job considering i paralleled all the ignitor circuits?

[v16050118130114]

p.s...

I added a few links that may be helpful, to the video description (click 'more info' to see them.)

I can't post them here, because YouTube doesn't let you put links in comments.

[bikingchad]

With that many motors you might want to consider wiring in a bus configuration. Wire wrap one lead of each igniter together into a single lead and then one clip for that and clips for the remaining igniter leads. Never done it myself, but the reading I've done suggests it works well.

[v16050118130114]

In fact that's exactly what I use for BP clusters... I take the best igniters, pre-check them with a digital Ohmmeter, then add 10-12" wire-wrap leads (one red, one blue or white). At the range, I install them in the motors, check each one individually AGAIN to make sure they weren't damaged, then twist all the like-colored leads together and connect them to the launch system.

This has worked 100% reliably for me, with up to 5 motor clusters.

[imakecostumes]

Do you recall how much longer than stock you made the engine tubes?

I'd like to use a center engine only but fly w/the nozzles in place as you do.

Thank you!

[R0ckzor]

i have the same plastic model, is that rocket really going to survive a launch? its ment to be sitting on your bookcase

[1996LOD]

I fly with CATO too!

[DaPhotoGuy]

Where is the video of it flying???

[AerotechMan101]

@v16050118130114 They did re release it, however, your vintage kits are already worth a small fortune. About $130

[captinnitro]

HOW MUCH WEIGHT DID YOU ADD TO THE NOSE? DO YOU HAVE VIDEO OF FIRST FLIGHT? I WAS THINKING OF FIVER GLASSING THE NOSE CONE. WONDER IF THAT'S ENOUGH WEIGHT. YOUR HELP IS VERY MUCH APRISIATED. yOU COULD SEND ME A PM. tHANK YOU. BY THE WAY MY DOUGHTER IS DOING THIS FOR A SCHOOL PROJECT.

[theblackcomp111]

put up a video of you launching this bad boy already

[donkeyxotedelamanche]

Does the Estes Saturn come with the center engine bell or was it obtained additionally?