From the Estes Model Rocket News, Vol. 4, #2, 1964.
Everyone has lost a nose cone (on top of a payload section) at ejection.
I've used this retention method for a few years. Sometimes a simple friction fit at the nose cone shoulder isn't enough.
Friday, August 26, 2016
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I've gone to using three 2-56 nylon screws (shear pins) to hold onto my nose cones on the top of payload bays. If it's good enough for dual deploy, it's good enough for me. :) I nearly lost the nose cone on my night launch DX3 by not retaining it. That won't happen again.
ReplyDeleteHi Metal,
DeleteI use this on LPR rockets. Some smaller models wouldn't have the "classic" looks with small screws outside the top of the payload section. If I got into bigger models I'd probably go with screws.
I've been noodling around with 3d-printed twist-lock nose cone retainers, as described here: http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?129671-Diamond-Cutter-build-thread&p=1537269#post1537269
ReplyDeleteI don't consider the design perfected yet but it seems to work well in its first installation. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for transparent payload sections, though, might be a bit ugly.
Anyway, I'm convinced it's a really good approach.