The Apogee Peak Of Flight Newsletter features an article I co-wrote with Geoffrey Dean Jackson or GDJ. (His signature on the Rocketry Forum)
All the inspiration behind the 18mm water bottle retainer came from a posting by Geoff on the Rocketry Forum.
Geoff didn't get the credit due to him. The posted article focused on my 18mm retainer and not so much on Geoff's 29mm submitted copy and pictures.
Pretty simple,
Drop in an engine, screw on the cap -
DONE!
It's very secure, that engine isn't going anywhere.
When properly made, these caps don't melt.
I've flown the (pictured) Centurion with the 18mm water bottle retainer a dozen times with no problems!
Everyone that has seen it likes the idea.
Sure, it takes a little more effort a than just taping on an engine hook, but it's a great change from the ordinary.
"...but it's a great change from the ordinary."
ReplyDeleteNot to mention it LOOKS REALLY COOL!
I agree with the previous comment completely. Two questions: 1) would a tape thrust ring work in lieu of a fixed block, and 2) will an 18mm RMS case fit?
ReplyDeleteHi Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteIt does look cool! From the side it looks like a wide, ridged nozzle.
Hi Dick,
ReplyDeleteA tape thrust ring (on the rear nozzle end of the engine) wouldn't work with this. You wouldn't be able to screw the cap on, the tape would be over the threads.
I wish I had an answer for you about the RMS casings. I don't have a 18mm RMS casing to try in this mount.
Ok...if the tape won't fit the RMS case probably won't. This isn't a big deal because I only use the reloads on models that are too heavy for C6's (usually because they're short and odd and need lots of nose weight). So, I will try it on the next fairly standard 18mm build. It will be a while, hope I remember this tip at that time!
ReplyDeleteA recent post in one of the forums showed how someone had discovered that an Aeropak retainer ring happened to fit the threads on a pill bottle he found. He was able to use the threads from the pill bottle on his rocket with the Aeropack ring. Pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteHi Admin,
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt there are plenty of different (free!) plastic caps that could be used for this. You just have to allow for the length and width of the bottle top and cap.