The Totally Wicked Tornado Rocket..launch date March 2011

[pillbox38]

A rocket enthusiast who also happens to be a TW customer approached the company asking if we would mind allowing him usage of the Logo etc on his next project. I thought this a great idea and said not only was i happy for him to do this but if he allowed me to, i would get actively involved and sponsor the project.

THE TORNADO rocket will be an 8ft monster reaching 6000ft in just 5 seconds. it will be shaped like the TORNADO E-NIC and a full documentary is planned with interviews in MP3 format posted as we progress.Im no expert at extracting pics from PDFS so see here the PDF

 http://kiwi6.com/file?id=e6xfftlkxf

And here the first introductory interview

http://kiwi6.com/file?id=61z9y1t2m1

[pillbox38]

A little info from Michael below


.....................................................................................

Hello  Jason,

 

Thank you for the very strong interest in my project. I am happy to now call this our project.

 

It is my feeling that a story from start to finish is the best way to show what we are doing. From pictures of the raw pieces to the finished product lead the interest of people and builds the story. It is my intention to build a very beautiful rocket and at the same time the documentation will be used by the rocketry safety group as my build of a Level 3 rocket. The license for level 3 is important to me as this allows me to build and fly rockets of any size. The rules are very strict and safety is paramount.

The planed flight will be second weekend of March 2011. The launch site is in Orangeburg SC USA. We have access to a field of several thousand acres of flat ground and our insurance covers all activities. We will also contact the FAA (government rulers of the sky) so they know we are not trying to knock aircraft out of the air.

The scheduled launch time is open so we will be able to delay if needed. We will have one weekend per month, 10 months of the year.

 

The material for the rocket has not been ordered as of yet because I wanted to see where the interest would be. I have looked at the “Tornado” E CIG and to build similar to this is possible. The nosecone would be my only concern, but I have a source that can custom make one if needed.

I need 45 days to properly build the rocket because of my work schedule.

 

Tripoli Rocketry Association is the governing group for all launches I attend and all safety and flight rules will be followed.

A photo journal is required for all Level 3 Rockets and can be shared with any interested group so you will have pictures of the start to finish.

I prefer to make all presentations in a PDF format for the ease of sharing.

[joe1981]

That's awesome and can't wait to see the finished rocket and it being launched! 

[CraigHB]

Definitley, gotta post a video when it's launched.  The photo diary of its construction will also be interesting.  Homegrown rockets are really amazing these days.  I've read of some that have actually gone high enough to approach space.  Mr. Wicked really belongs on a rocket.  He's the perfect sponsor.

[chrisryherd]

very cool. i have been building rocket for a few years now and cant wait to see the photosand vids.

[VapinMazo]

Wow!  How cool is that!

I used to build Estes model rockets when I was younger but something this size???

It would be cool to see what kind of recovery system is used, 'chutes or just tumble.

I also wonder whether or not there will be any telemetry installed, it would be cool to look at the flight data!

[CraigHB]

I've watched a few of those shows about the rocketeers on the educational channels.  Pretty high tech stuff these days.  They always record the flight path.  If not telemetry, then at least an onboard accelerometer and altimeter to caputre flight data.  Telemetry would be super cool though.  The guys always outfit them with lots of electronics, pretty expensive to build actually, don't know how they all find the time and money, expensive hobby.  Too rich for my blood.

[TonyF]

This is a fascinating and really cool idea!  

I have downloaded/ looked at the PDF and listened to the inteview and I can't wait to see each stage leading up to the launch. Shame for us UK vapers that it's all happening over the pond though   Hopefully the updates will make us feel like we are part of it  

Edit: I have reproduced a rough version of the PDF file below for those of you who are interested, but are too lazy (ahem . . busy vaping  ) to download the document  

	A little help from my friends and we are ready to go
	Add a few marks and get ready to make sawdust.	Turn big pieces into smaller ones and pray for fit?
	The round bulkheads for stage separation and fins
	Place motor mount tube and fins on lower bulkheads.
	After the glue sets we start working on the electronics bay.
	Slip the fin assembly into the lower body tube and more glue..
	Check glue set and make ready to paint.
	Assembled, primed and ready to paint.	So now, how do you hide something like this from the wife?
	And this is what you build while you are waiting for glue to dry.	7” dia and 8’ long. Fins are geometric cut tubular design.

This was my 300th post, so I had to make an effort 

[caz]

Thanks for posting the pics Tony  very helpful   

[TonyF]

We aim to please   

[VapinMazo]

We aim to please   

Graffiti written above a urinal in the men's room:

We aim to please, you aim too please.

 

[TonyF]

LMAO Mazo   

[blindsoup]

very cool...

[desybabe]

Thanks Tony

Here is a link to the podcasting site, the gallery is on here also.
This is where the updates will be posted to as the project progresses.

http://totallywicked.podbean.com/

[pillbox38]

Thanks Derek..Much appreciated.


Just so everyone knows Derek is looking after TWs Marketing so if you have any gems on TW or ESmoking in general please let Derek know.

[AndnAnge]

Brilliant pics Tony thanks, good luck TW on the launch ...but please ask the guy to smile....made me laugh. 

[desybabe]

The podcast is now up on iTunes, as the story progresses I will post up the next episodes.

A quick search for 'Totally Wicked' in the podcasts and am sure you will be able to work out which one it is

[GazTheViking]

I'll admit, I was hoping for a new design of PV when I came into this thread.

I'm a little disappointed, but still, well done that rocketeer!

[VapinMazo]

I'll admit, I was hoping for a new design of PV when I came into this thread.

I'm a little disappointed, but still, well done that rocketeer!

There WILL be vapor, although maybe not the kind one would want to inhale!

Speaking of, it would be very interesting to know what the propellent fuel will be.

I'm guessing it will be solid but even within that, there are a number of options.

I've built hobby jet and ram-jet engines but I don't know if it is even possible to build a liquid fuel rocket engine on this scale.

[michaelgunter]

Hello all,    I am Michael Gunter and I am building the Totally Wicked Tornado Rocket.The materials for the start of construction have arrived and I will be starting the electronics storage bay this weekend.
As construction progresses I will be making a photo journal for the Safety guys and this will give me pictures to post here.
The base (motor section) will be 7.5 inches diameter and 6 feet long. thisd will house the motor (35 pounds of APCP, same stuff used on the Space Shuttle)
The payload section will be shaped like the atomizer cone and mouthpiece of the Tornado; 5 feet long and taper from base 7.5 inches to the nose 5.5 inches. I will try to upload a drawing of the shape so you have something to look at.
I promise to load as many pictures as I can while the build is in progress.

The rocket is expected to make 4500-6000 feet on first launch with recovery being controlled by 2 altimeters that will deploy first chute (3') at max altitude and the main shute (15')at 1000' above ground level. I am very excited about this and the TW team has been great to work with.
If we get this one right I may be able to talk Pillbox into a 20' long Titan 510. never know what may turn up.

I will try to stay up to date on the forum and answer any questions I can. more later,  Michael

[VapinMazo]

Hello Michael!

It is exciting to read you here!

APCP, thought it might be but didn't want to assume.

Is the contents of the electronics bay primarily for recovery control or will in-flight data be stored/collected as well?

Although calculating G-forces acting on it should be fairly easily to do, being able to collect data over the course of the flight would be real interesting.

Even without extra data, what you are doing is pretty cool!

So, questions, I have a bazillion but I'll limit it to these, for now. 
Will there be any guidance or is it 'just' fixed fin?

How are the chutes actually deployed?

Under what wind and other weather conditions are you allowed to launch?

[Darth Vaper]

Hey Michael welcome to the forum 
 
Nice to see a Rocket Scientist join our ranks. 

[VapinMazo]

I can't believe i didn't think of it before Darth mentioned it but,,,

for all the things people say you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know or understand, it is good to know that there is at least one thing one does need to be a rocket scientist for!

I can still remember the feeling of watching the maiden voyage of my model birds from Estes, I can only imagine what it must feel like to launch something on this scale!

I thought of another question, are you limited as to the altitude your vehicle is allowed to attain?

One thing though, none of my questions need to be answered any sooner than when you feel like it and have time.

You've got higher priorities, putting TW into space!

The 'inner' space at least. 

[michaelgunter]

I will do my best to answer all questions within a couple of days. Like most I started flying small model rockets at an early age and just never grew up.
The Totally Wicked Tornado is being built as a tribute to totally Wicked as my way of saying thank you for helping me gat away from tobacco. 6 weeks now.
real information; TW Tornado Rocket, yes I am going to make it look like a Giant Totally Wicked Tornado with a few Special Graphics for the show.
The rocket is 7.5 inches diameter at the engine section and will be 12-13 feet long overall. the propellant will weigh about 28 pounds at take off.
there are 2 altimeters onboard. a primary and a backup for safety.The Tornady will weigh over 75 pounds at takeoff.
The fins are 1/4 thick fiberglass G10 material.
many hours of calculations have been put in before the first cut is made on material. the Tripoli Rocketry Association is the governing body and ALL SAFETY RULES WILL BE FOLLOWED.. No Exceptions.
Our field has a 20,000'AGL hard deck and we can call for higher if needed up to 50,000. a special permit is needed for higher flights.
altimeter data is downloaded to a computer and studied after the flight.
I am in hopes that TW will want to continue with this kind of activity and we can buile a Titan 510 about 20 feet long.
More later,
Michael     

[VapinMazo]

Thank you VERY much for the information!

Out of curiosity, do you have cameras available that can track the bird as it flies the wire or will you be using handhelds or tripod mounted?

Seeing this baby fly would be very exciting, taking me back to my own days of model rocketry and even days when in elementary school when we all gathered for the launches with Walter Cronkite telling us everything we needed to know.

I envy you your luck in finding a way to not have to grow up and live a dream, at least in this area.  That is a feat in and of itself! 

One question that just came to mind, what's her name?  Does she have one yet?

[michaelgunter]

The first name that came toind was Miss Riley, (see the movie October Sky).
then I thought about it and decided to name her after the one person that has been most helpful in making this dream a reality. I think I will name her "Alex".

I am looking into some different surface mounted DVR cameras that will not produce too much drag. if I cant find a good one I will try to make an internal mount with prisim for the field of vision.

Alex, I hope you don't mind but you are young and beautiful and this is a special rocket that deserves a proper name..

[VapinMazo]

'Alex'

Not that I have a vote but that would definitely get mine for the very reasons you mentioned!!!!!!!!

[michaelgunter]

for those of you that need numbers to understand what we have going on, here are a few. all are the LOW END of the calculations so we do expect a bit more performance on the flight line.
Top Speed--.47 MACH or estimated 361 MPH in 3.5 seconds
Altitude at appogee 4600AGL in 17.1 seconds
MAX THRUST 369.8 lbs
MAX Accelleration 161.5 Ft per second^2

Cost: A FLIPPING BUNCH

hope this satisfies the math junkies.

Michael

[CraigHB]

Man, a video camera on the rocket would be the coolest thing.  I would love to see that video.

[michaelgunter]

Now I will show just how much work has mind screwed out of position.
I have decided to NAME her Miss Riley. and she will be called ALEX