8) I also have several of the Cosmodrome Kits. Those balsa nosecones on all of the kits are huge. The workmanship is first rate. But I worry that the nosecnnes will ding or worst yet, break on landing. Glass is just not my thing, yet. So how would you glass the nose? with a vail? 2 oz? I want to keep it thin but add some support. This seams to be a nice size to start with, I have Areo Poxy, and I can order some glass. How do you hold it while you glass it? Ant thoughts would be good. As for nose weight, I add weight by using a large eye bolt. I drill out the hole to get away from splitting, and then thread and epoxy in place a long and heavy bolt. I add 2 more holes on eitherside of the eye bolt, so I can add more weight for the heavier motors with lag screws.

I've got a Cosmodrome Black Brant 2. The biggest thing I'd change is get rid of the wire cable they use as a shock cord attachment. It's caused problems getting the laundry out for me. If your think going up to a I or J then how about making it DD? The fins are plenty strong for G's and H's as they are, but they are big. You should be able to drill a hole in the NC and epoxy in weight that way. Last if don't do anything to the NC the tip will break off.

Question, how are you going to bore out the the tailcone to 38mm and keep it centered?

Ron

I can fiberglass the nosecone, no problem... i was just thinking about getting a couple layers of finish coat epoxy on it and making it stiff, and seal the balsa. you will ding it if the fin smacks the nosecone on recovery, but I think if you attach the chute real close to the eyebolt and have a 15' kevlar shock cord shouldn't be too crazy, light weight glass would probably be optimal... maybe even a little stainless steel tip (may have to get the good ol grinder out

Dual deploy would be awesome, I think that company uses loc tubing... not exactly sure ill have to try some 2.5 couplers to see if it will fit... (maybe some BT-80 couplers) then just build a avionics bay.... which is always hours of fun and excitement!

the tail cone I dont think would be too hard probably put it in the drill press vice then drill it with inch and a half bit (forshner) if not ill sand it to fit.... it is balsa, not oak so it shouldnt be that hard to sand don't you think? from 1.1 inch to 1.5 isnt that much of a size up.... i think i should do the PML way of attaching a shock cord to the MMT then go through the top centering ring ... if i can get a small ubolt in there that would be great.

Tim i love your Nike Smoke, isnt yours a cluster?

8) The more I think on it, 38MM is the way to go. With the Pro line up to 5 loads for each size (classic, ss, Vmax, white thunder, and now red thunder, w/more to come!) and Aero's extensive 38 G-I line, this could be a wonderful bird. I would try a hole saw, my hardware store has them in MM and chuck them up in a press, and then hand sand to fit. I would add a threaded slimline with just the screw end out the back. Use enough tube for a GLR Hardpoint Anchor (8.00) and attach my Kevlar there. Clean and simple. 8)

I think pops has a hole saw in that size... we will see when i get there, not a bad idea to get that hardpoint anchor, actually i need 3 of them..... im scared to get my GLR order right now, there is soo much i want and soo much i need and the last time i checked the order was going to be pushin $350 hehe (there were parts for covert operation black cat 3 included in that price 🙂

should I put a tracker in it if im launching a J in it?

got the tail cone bored out! i used a spindle sander mounted to the drill press and it cut through that balsa like it was nothing! ( I first tried the forschner bit and took a a chunk out 🙁 but nothing a lil filler cant handle)

This kit is built pretty strong IMO. 1/4 inch 9 ply plywood TTW fins are a little over kill! I probably can run it on I's and small J's just as long as i can get enough weight in the nose cone....

I was thinking about making a little compartment that can hold BB's out of phenolic 29mm tubing and attaching it to the nose cone... ? any other ideas?
drill and fill?

ill probably run in on small rail buttons instead of lugs.

the shock cord is some scary looking elastic stuff, im going to replace it with a 15' kevlar shock cord and use a kevlar cute protector

I have 2 good coats of finish epoxy and a coat of west systems 201 (i think) i think the shell of that balsa will get minimal dings if any on it.....

I have to figure out how to make a payload section in it so i can get some altimeter readings.... and it has four small antenna that come stock on the BB2 i wonder if i could potentially use those for my beacon (beeline)