Rob C's Odd'l Sputnik

From the Model Rocketry Fanatics Facebook page:

July 17, from Rob C.:

"My Odd'l Rockets Sputnik debuted today, as well.

It's been a reliable little flier so far - 

It sure was the king of "low stress builds."

" . . . AND I found it can double as a hat! 

I should add to the kit promo that the Sputnik now "Doubles as a hat!"

Pigasus With A Smoke Trail!

Les Bradshaw posted on the NAR Facebook page:

"Yesterday I supported the Kopernik Observatory Rocketfest. One activity was setting up a display of part of my collection."

An Odd'l Rockets PIGASUS is the first to greet guests atop that smoke trail!

Paul W's F-16 Build

 Paul W. posted on the Facebook Model Rocket Fanatics page:

"Finally finished the Odd’l Rockets F-16. This was a Christmas present two years ago from my oldest daughter so it will be a wall hanger. Nice challenging build with great instructions."

Revisions to the F-18 Hornet Prototype

Trying to design a stable model rocket from a jet will present some compromises.

The two jet engines extend beyond the back end. The front of the intakes are a partial circle. The back of the tubes are full circle and notched to overlap the end of the main body. 

Four tries (and 40" of scrapped BT-5) gave me a workable design. These tubes might also help stabilize the model.

On the next prototype the engine hook will be on the top side, away from the BT-5 tubes.

You might notice the underside of the BT-50H is rough. I've cut off four intake tries and had to sand off some glue.

The decal draws are turning out very well!

New Odd'l Kit Design?

Last Sunday was a "free" day for me, vendor orders were filled and I had some down time. Most of the day was spent drawing, cutting balsa and body tubes.

I've been looking for a interesting new Fighter Fleet kit design and may have found it.

This is the F-18 Hornet, the same jet the Blue Angels use.

I use original scale drawings to draft the wings and fins. Design adjustments are made with the goal to capture the spirit of the original jet and still be stable. The wings are a bit smaller and set back. 

I'm always surprised how many changes are made from the initial drawings to finished flying model.

 

This F-18 is very different from the two other Odd'l Fighter Fleet kits, the F-104 and the F-16.

You'll rarely see me fly a "naked" rocket, this is a test model for the many test launches using different 18mm engines.

BIRDIES!

The Odd'l Rockets Birdie is a popular kit!

When the kits were first produced, I'd buy Badminton Birdies in six packs at a sports shop. I didn't want to be stuck with a few hundred "birds" if the kit didn't sell.

Hundreds of kits later, I now buy in bulk. Two boxes equals 288 Birdies!

L.G.M. Spotted . . .

Peter Giesige posted on the

Facebook Model Rocketry USA page:

"Love the Odd'l kits!!

Thanks Peter!

Looks like you did a GREAT job on the build!