Mycroft's Flock o' Rockets
The Der Big Red Maxes
The History
 On
February 18, 1982, I officially joined the world of model
rocketry. That's the date on the Estes invoice for my first
model rocket purchase. Along with a Kadet kit and some extra
motors, I purchased a Der Big Red Max starter set with Bigfoot
launch controller for $21.95. Actually, the process started a
few months earlier; I joined 4-H and wanted to build a rocket for
the Aerospace Project. I'd seen rockets displayed in the 4-H
building at the county fair; they really looked neat! There
weren't any local stores where I could buy rockets, so I had mailed
in a coupon for an Estes catalog cut from Boy's Life magazine.
After poring over that catalog for weeks, I finally decided what to
buy. I remember filling in the order form and giving my money
to my mom so she could write a check to send with the order.
(Rocket stuff was always purchased with my own money - saved from
birthday cards, payment for chores, and such.)
I recall following the instructions step by step, and my cousin
helping me with a few parts. I particularly remember getting
mad at the fins; it seemed like I had to hold them in place forever
before the Elmers white glue would hold them onto the body
tube. I even bought sanding sealer from the hardware store to
use on the fins.
I didn't dare fly my Der Big Red Max before the fair, but I did
build and fly the Kadet. In case you're wondering, the Der Big
Red Max earned me a blue ribbon.
Growing up on a farm, my launch site was always the front
yard. However, the trees, fields, sloughs, etc nearby made me
afraid of losing my rockets. To the best of my recollection, I
only launched the Der Big Red Max once. Sure enough, under
that big 18" chute, it drifted off into some weeds that were
taller than I was! I found it, but never dared to fly it
again. The Max sat on a shelf for many years...
Cloned!
Upon my active return to model rocketry, I still didn't want to
fly my treasured original Der Big Red Max. Armed with the
original rocket for reference, the original instructions (yes, I
kept them), and a decal scan off the web, I created a clone from
Estes parts. It has flown many times over the past few years,
and it's now looking pretty beat-up. I just may have to create
another one. This time, I'll get nice decals from Tango Papa
instead of making them myself.
 Left
to right: original, clone, and lil' guy.
Minimized!
Downscaling the plans and decals to a bt20 size tube, I
scratchbuilt the Der lil' Red Max. It flies on 13mm 1/2A and A
motors with streamer recovery.
Maximized!
 Going
the opposite direction, I upscaled the design to a LOC 3.1"
tube. I used the normal LOC nose cone although it doesn't have
quite the right shape. The fins were cut from 1/8"
aircraft plywood and extend all the way to the 29mm motor mount
tube. The fin fillets are reinforced with a single layer of
fiberglass cloth. The 9/16" tubular nylon shock cord
connects to 1/16" steel cable leading to an eyebolt in the
upper centering ring. Recovery is either by a PML 34"
chute or a Rocketman R4. Two threaded inserts in the aft
centering ring allow secure motor retention. I created the
decals using a photocopier and water-transfer decal stock.
Thus was born the Der BIG Red Max! Unfortunately, it was to
become the most aggravating rocket in my collection.
Despised!
On its maiden flight attempt in September 1998, the motor refused
to light (twice!) and I had to wait until the next launch.
On the second attempt of a first flight in October 1998, the
rocket flew perfectly on a G75. It even landed upright on its
fins.
1st flight
On its second flight in November 1998, it had a perfect boost on
an H180. Then the parachute stuck. It took a core sample
on the edge of a drainage ditch in a textbook example of ballistic
fenceposting. I had to replace the upper section of body tube
and make a new decal.
2nd flight
It traveled with me to LDRS 18 in Argonia, KS for its third
flight in July 1999. It again had a perfect boost on an
H128. Then the parachute stuck again. It bounced.
#sigh#. In frustration, I cut off the damaged body tube
with my Leatherman and impaled it on a fence post.
After replacing the upper body tube and the decal again, I flew
it in April 2000 on an H180. Crunch. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH.
4th flight
 The
bottom section of the rocket sat around my workshop for a long
time. I came close to throwing it away in disgust, but I
eventually decided to fix it. I refused to make and apply that
huge decal again, so I just painted the replacement body tube black.
For its fifth flight in May 2001, I flew it on an H180.
Crossing my fingers, I finally got to watch an absolutely perfect
flight.
I flew it again in July 2001 on an H97. The flight was
acceptable, but I should have used a short delay instead of a
medium.
I didn't fly this rocket in 2002. In April of 2003, I flew
it on an H180. The flight ended up OK, but there might've been
drag separation of the nose cone that led to a late chute
deployment. In June of 2003, I flew it on a G35.
Somehow, the steel cable recovery harness "houdini'ed" its
way out of the eyebolt in the front centering ring.
Result? CRUNCH.
The remains are laying around my workshop. Maybe someday
I'll feel like repairing it AGAIN. #sigh#
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