Estes Photon Probe - # 3026

Estes Photon Probe
 
Instructions
 
Photos
 
Launches (updated 4/8/2014) 

SPECS:    
	Length: 23 in.
	Diameter: 1.32 in.
	Weight: 3.5 oz    (98 grams)
	Engine: B4-4, B6-4, C6-5, D12-5*
	Recovery: 18 in. Parachute



Features
	Skill Level 2
	Max Altitude: 575 feet * (18 mm motor)
	Laser-cut Balsa Fins!
	Water-slide DecalS
	Purchased 12/12/2013 from Estes Website @  75% off ! 
	* Modified w 24mm motor mount
	* Ejection baffle

 

Photos


 
Kit and (spare) parts; Ejection baffle and 24mm motor mount - the 2.75" hook was used:

 
The required parts shot:

 
24 mm motor mount; fiber rings & Elmers:

 
OpenRocket says a D engine will take this baby 791 feet!:

 
Recovery system: 400# Kevlar tied to baffle and 3/8" elastic:

 
I put a few drops of CA on knot:

 
Hope the baffle is far enough forward? There's plenty of room for chute stuffin.

 
One side of the fins got gray automotive filler primer, the other side got white primer (because I ran out of gray).
The gay primer sanded off easier - leaving a very smooth surface! The white was harder by comparison.

 
Only the trailing fins, trailing edges were rounded. The rest were sanded fairly square.

 
Used green Frog tape for first time.
Rust-oleum #249090 - gloss white paint / primer was used for base coat, then
Krylon #2305 "Extreme Anodized Metal Finsish" Purple(!) for the mid section.

 
"Nice lines, baby!" Way to go Frog tape! 82.6 Grams painted w shock cord & swival.
The puple paint had 1 spot that dried a bit funny? I think, where I sanded the white a bit.
The purple took 2 light coats and two THICK coats to look descently covered.

("Brave Purple" background)
 
Pretty simple set of waterslide decals - 7 in all. What do you expect for a probe - right?
82.7 grams w decals.
The middle wrap gave me the most trouble and has some wrinkles.
I don't think the decals stand out well on the dark purple.

 
Finished!
Built w 2 coats of Minwax polycrylic. 84 grams even (no chute or engine).
The purple sure looks pretty in sunshine!

 

Launches


 
April 4, 2014
C6-3 Engine
10 MPH winds
Bus Park Farmington
 

 
Beautiful flight - I'm very proud of it!

 
Can't wait to try a D-12 engine! I think I will drill holes for the altimeter first...
 

 
Updated April 8, 2014
 
Huxley@xmission.com