PML has a 6 fin rocket- Miranda, but don't know of any kit 5 fin ones. My daughter and I made low-mid power scratch rocket with 5 fins and a 24mm MMT. Flies great. With 5 fins there is more drag to keep velocities sane, and the fins can be shorter and thus be less likely to be damaged.

Sometimes you can do a few minor things to leave behind the "3FNC" look- add a second set of small fins (look at Madcow Prion), or strakes (my avatar shows a Wildman Jr. with front and back strakes, and the Thrustline Arapahoe is unique).

It would also be great if some rocket kit company (hint, hint) would develop a real boattail- not a stubby motor retainer like the Slimlines, not a conical retainer like the Acme's, or the hacked nosecones like the PML's.

But regardless, seems like you are on the right track. Us consumers appreciate you listening to our ideas (Dr. J sets the standard).

John,
How about something that would be a little different than anyone else is doing... something along the lines of a modular kit, where the buyer / builder could say select different modules or configurations for what they were looking to do, and or upgrade / purchase add- on modules later - ie, video module, 2nd stage, 3rd stage, cluster mounts, more fins / tubes, etc. Think semi-custom house idea, it would allow people to expand their creative designs without having to order all custom or scratch stuff, swap out different fin cans or modules. Personally, I think a 54 w 38 mm would be fun. Not too high to require tracking and fairly inexpensive to fly. Maybe call it the "DYOD" Design Your Own Dog - Sean

I like Sean's idea - a modular kit. A standard booster/motor mount assembly with choices for DD and SD forward deployment modules, nosecones, etc. Each module priced separately I would assume.

Warren

I don't know the cost or the volume, but the fin spacers for 3-4 fins in .0625 and .09375 thick for 29-98 would be awesome. Leave them long for other fin shapes. That would be nice to have re-usable ones. I've just got a stack of foamboard cutouts.

Edward

All cool suggestions, and I *LOVE* the modular idea. You will see it in a 3DR kit eventually. Right now, the economies of scale dictate I do 30-50 of something more or less repeatable. If I end up with a lot of variables, then my costs go stratospheric (no pun intended).

One thing I am seriously looking at is putting all the above into one kit - in other words, sending two forward sections that allow for largely different flight configurations.

Right now I'm leaning towards an upper-end 75mm>>54mm kit that will employ some of the things in a KestreL (which I realize many of you have not yet seen). Things like fin jigs, the "duplex" bulkheads, high-end Kevlar included, etc. I may also incorporate the GLR boattail-retainer. We'll see. There are a lot of guys out there selling bare-bones kits. I want guys to crack open the bag of goodies and be floored by what they received. From what I hear from those who bought KestreLs, that is what they are experiencing...

BTW, once you use these bulkheads, you'll never go back 8) They are exquisite - crafted by NCR's own Mr. Billings. The fin jigs rock as well! Also BTW, wait until you see the KestreL fins. I've never seen finer bevels, and they were done by Ed Dawson. It is great to have those guys involved!

Just a rocket name... Cerberus, with three of something, cluster?

Just a rocket name... Cerberus, with three of something, cluster?

Like maybe a 38mm version of the LOC Viper? I'd stuff that with 3 Pro38's in a heartbeat!

Might be too "niche market", though.

-Ken

Cerberus is a GREAT name and certainly with the "dog" theme. Ken, you are probably right about it being a niche. Another issue is that I've never built a cluster (or staged) HPR rocket and I'd have to do that first so that i could answer the questions. I realize clusters are straightforward, but I'd still like to go through the motions...

Another issue is that I've never built a cluster (or staged) HPR rocket and I'd have to do that first so that i could answer the questions.

Me either. Just a name... three canted motors sticking out of a true dovetail... 😯 But you and Ken are right about the market.

Cerberus is a GREAT name and certainly with the "dog" theme. Ken, you are probably right about it being a niche. Another issue is that I've never built a cluster (or staged) HPR rocket and I'd have to do that first so that i could answer the questions. I realize clusters are straightforward, but I'd still like to go through the motions...

If you need a Beta tester, I'm available! 😀

Especially for a big cluster! 😈

-Ken

Greek dogs from mythology include:

Argos -- Odysseus's dog
Hecuba -- Queen of Troy transformed into a dog
Sirius -- Another Greek dog
Laelaps -- Zeus' Dog (I think...)

There are more. An easy theme to keep up...

Argos -- Odysseus's dog

John and I will get a tear or two in our eyes with this name, and he used it for his L3. 😥 VERY good name though.

Argos -- Odysseus's dog

John and I will get a tear or two in our eyes with this name, and he used it for his L3. 😥 VERY good name though.

INDEED - Argos was the faithful dog of Odysseus (from whom we get the word "Odyssey" - a roundabout trip which recounts Odysseus' journey back home after the Trojan war). Anyway, when Odysseus returned home after being gone for many, many years - his wife didn't even recognize him. His dog, Argos was there waiting for his return. When Argos saw Odysseus, he raised his head in acknowledgment... and died.

Then Odysseus killed all the guys who were chasing his wife and hanging out in his palace drinking his wine and eating his food.

The End.

Next three kits will likely be:

a.) An entirely black rocket - featuring an exciting new, very black tubing material... (it is not carbon, but it WILL meet my high standard for strength). Will also have black G10 fins, and a black gelcoat cone. It would not need finishing, other than maybe clearcoat. Prototype should fly at MHM - on a nice Pro54, black-smoke Smoky Sam reload, of course!

b.) a 38mm super-secret kit I'm not talking about just yet 8) It will also have something in the mix that is unique - working on that now.

c.) Something scale. I have an idea on what I want to do... but it is quite a huge project and I need to do a lot more work before I pull the trigger on that sucker.

Thanks for all your input. I'm planning some terrific stuff over the next 6-18 months!

JW

8) A nice sized 75 MM kit. One that could be used for L3 (maybe Dr.J could put a powerplant deal together) Compleat with 75/54 adapter, the bird could fly med to large 54 and scoot with 75 L-M. Top end kit, all the goodies, fin guides. Short run, 25-30 kits. Fall preview, made for winter building season. Spring flights for Certs. One run of kits and they are gone for the year. Bring them back for a short run each fall. 8)