The Wright Rocket Site

Winter 2006-2007 Rocket Projects

Panther Paws

Level 3 Cert Project

So I've decided to take the plunge and start work on a level 3 certification attempt.  My design goals where to build a rocket that could handle the largest of commercial motors (for 98mm) on the market, be one of the biggest projects to launch at FITS 2007 and to be designed from scratch.  Here is the final design along with construction photos.  The rocket is designed in such a way that it could be flown in two primary configurations if need be, one as designed and the other with just a 6" nose cone where the transition is.  This project is being sponsored by Curtis Turner at Performance Rocketry.  My L3 advisor is Jim Wilkerson.

First the parts and a dry fit.  I think I need a bigger garage.

Next the motor mount and upper and lower centering rings.  The motor retention is via a Aeropack 98mm screw on retainer that attached to the rear ring with 20 screws and will then later be sealed over with epoxy.  The fore ring has two u-bolts in it where the 1" Kevlar strap will be attached in a loop for the booster harness.

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There are two other centering rings that butt up against the fins inside the airframe. These were tacked on with some epoxy. Then 1/4" balsa was cut and epoxied in on either side of the fin locations to form a sturdy channel for the fin attachment.  West Systems epoxy with chopped carbon fiber was then used as internal fillets between the balsa and the MMT and between the middle two centering rings and the MMT. 

More on the next page......   Page 2