Nebulous Cluster
Winner! June, 2003 DOM Contest!
By: Daren Humphries

Daren's June entry mixes clusters with exotic fin designs and imaginative use of detail and paint for this wonderful design called the Nebulous Cluster.

The email from Daren has this to say:

Hi,

Here is my June entry.
Nebulous Cluster.
Sometimes it's more fun to try to come up with names that haven't been used..

Thanks
Daren Humphries

Additional information from Daren include the following parts list and comments:

Nebulous Cluster

Parts List  (see Parts Diagram below)
A. 1 x 8 ½ in. BT-80
B. 3 x 8 ½ in. BT-5-085
C. 1/16 in. Aircraft Ply Local Hobby Shop
D. 1/16 in. Aircraft Ply Local Hobby Shop
E. 1 x CPL-55-013
F. 1 x 1 ¼ in. BT-55-0850
G. 2 x Custom Centering Ring
H. 1 x LL-1-2
I. 1 x NCB-55AD or Estes PNC-55AC
J. 3 x EB-5-0025 Motor blocks
K. 1 x Recovery PCP-16 (not shown)

Rocket without recovery system and final paint weighs approximately 42 grams.

This rocket was very fun and fast to build.

Fins, oh boy! These sure look nice, but I will tell you unless you have a scroll saw it may take a while to cut the 1/16” aircraft ply. I used a small band saw to rough cut, then a snap knife to carve away the rest. The front fins are small and will take extra caution with the knife.

It was a challenge to cut thin slots in the ring around the fins. Be patient, be as accurate as possible.

I love clusters and this one is my first from design to completion. Recommended flights with 3 x estes A10-3T. Also try with “Apogee Medallist Composite Propellant Rocket Motors” B7-4 or higher.

The rest is straight forward and should be easy to complete using the images included.

Have fun and good flying.

The links below will lead you to Daren's documentation for this design.  These links will open a new window.