| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Published: | 2011-10-19 |
| Manufacturer: | Wildman Rocketry |
Brief
The Drago is a 54mm all fiberglass, 3FNC rocket with a 29mm motor mount. I plan to fly it with a variety of G and H motors.
Components
Kit includes:
- Fiberglass airframe (36" long)
- Fiberglass nose cone and bulk plate
- 29mm motor tube (10" long)
- Fiberglass centering rings (2)
- Fiberglass fins(3)
- 24" parachute
- 15' of 1/4" tubular Kevlar shock cord
Additional components used:
- Small rail buttons
- Aeropack 29mm motor retainer
Construction
Excellent instructions and overall straight forward construction. All parts were sanded with 80 grit sandpaper where the epoxy would be applied. I used 45 minute epoxy for all joints as well as the external fin fillets.
Only deviations:
- I installed rail buttons vs. the 1/4" launch lug.
- I installed a 29mm Aeropack retainer.
The fins on my kit appear to have tabs that are too large - I liked the look so I left them as is. I've read about others with similar experience who sanded the tabs shorter.
Finishing
I decided to keep the paint job simple and jazz up the rocket with some decals. I coated the entire rocket in Krylon Gray Primer followed by Rustoleum #7250 Black Night Metallic. I applied holographic Drago vinyl decals from Stickershock followed by several light coats of Krylon Clear. Simple but awesome looking in the sunshine!
Flight
4/3/2011 at Culpeper with Tripoli Central Virginia on an AT G79-W (29/120 case). I drilled the delay from 10 seconds to 8 and installed the motor in the rocket.
Great launch and smoke trail - I got wrapped up in watching the rocket and didn't get a launch pic.
Recovery
The kit included 15' of kevlar shock cord and a 24" parachute. I wrapped the chute in a kevlar chute protector before packing the recovery gear in the rocket.
Excellent recovery! Great landing and no damage whatsover.
Summary
Overall an awesome rocket! I can see the Drago getting air time at every launch!
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Flights
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