EMRR's OOP: Farside-X

6 Guests On

REV 2.4 - Tue Aug 17 07:29:56 2010

OOP
Estes Industries
Farside-X

All More Like This Previous Next

SPECS:

25" x 1.637" - 2.5 oz

ROCKSIM FILE:

Right Click to Download

SpaceCAD FILE:

MISSING - please submit here

REC'D MOTORS:

B6-0, C6-0, A8-5, B6-6, C6-6

(Contributed - by Stefan E. Jones)

Brief:
The first model rocketry catalog I ever saw -- Estes' 1970 edition -- was chock-full of models that are today considered classics. For the last few years I've been recreating some of these golden oldies. One of the first recreations I started back in '98, but that I didn't finish until this summer, was the Farside-X. The Farside was Estes's first three-stage model. It came in two versions: The plain old Farside, with a BT-50 sized payload section, and the Farside-X, which had a big BT-60 payload section. I obtained the plans for the Farside-X from the "JimZ" plan site: http://www.dars.org/jimz/k-12x.htm

Construction:
The Farside-X uses standard Estes components: Three lengths of BT-50 body tube, three BT-20 motor mount tubes, and a BT-60 payload tube. I ordered the tubes from Rogue Aerospace and cut them to size using this handy chart: http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/rockets/body_tubes.html

I also purchased the motor mount parts -- couplers and centering rings -- from Rogue Aerospace. I obtained the balsa reducer and nose cone from Balsa Machining Service. The cone is a special-order item, the BT-60L. I decided to use 1/16" basswood fins, for extra strength and ease of finishing. I used an antique 12" Estes red & yellow parachute in my Farside. The retro logo fit the project. The shock cord was a 36" length of 1/8" sewing elastic. I used barrel swivels and snap swivels to eliminate "shock cord wind up."

The Farside-X looks like a relatively simple model at first glance, but besides there being a lot of everything (nine fins, three motor mounts, etc.) there are some hidden complexities that make it a bit of a challenge to build. It has canted fins, causing the model to spin in flight, thus adding a bit of stability. The motor mount design must be followed exactly to allow the three motors to butt together. I found the Farside plans were fairly clear and easy to follow, but might be a bit "dense" for younger modelers used to E2X construction and die-cut fins. As with all recreation projects, building the Farside required a lot of hand-cutting body tubes and fins. There's a good section on these techniques in the old Estes Model Rocketry Manual: http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/rockets/nostalgia/estesmrm.html

I had to "wing it" when building the motor mounts. Like a lot of older kits, the motor mount used thin centering rings glued on the ends of a length of tube coupler. Since the thin-stock TA-2050 centering rings were not available, I used slightly thicker fiber rings provided by Rogue Aerospace. In order to preserve the length of the I cut the couplers a bit short so that the ring/coupler assemblies would be the same length as the original kit. I mistakenly glued the launch lug and standoff to the third stage rather than the second stage. This didn't have a big effect on either looks and performance, so I wasn't too upset!

Finishing:
I decided to base my paint job on the one shown in the 1971 Estes catalog: http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/rockets/catalogs/estes711/711est32.html

I didn't end up with an exact match, but I liked my compromise: Yellow overall, with a black fin on each stage, a red nose cone, and a white payload section with black trim tape. I purchased a recreation decal from JimZ. I like to give my recreated kits "catalog perfect" finishes. Because the Farside has so many fins this means a LOT of filling and sanding. In fact, there was so much finishing work involved that after I applied its first primer coat, the Farside-X sat in a box for two years! I finally got around to the final finishing in the Summer of 2001. The painting and masking were a real chore, but I think things came out pretty good!

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight:
The plans list LOTS of recommended motors, including many, such as the A8-0 and 1/2A6-0, that simply aren't around any more. Fortunately, it will fly on the available booster and sustainer motors. I've flown the Farside-X once, using a bunch of vintage motors: A B14-0 in the first stage, a 1/2A6-0 in the second stage, and a A8-5 in the upper stage. An odd combination, but I wanted to both have a stable flight (the B14 gets a model up to speed really quickly!) and to come back!

Prepping the Farside isn't easy. The motors are taped together with cellophane tape, and to the end of each stage's motor mount with masking tape. This isn't easy! Per the instructions, I inserted a 2 oz. payload -- some cubes of modelling clay -- into the Farside's payload section prior to flight. I must have done things right, because the Farside-X flew perfectly! The first two stages burned quickly and got the model up to speed. Staging was smooth, and didn't result in any course changes. By the time the A8-5 burned out, the top stage was REALLY moving. The spin-fins did their thing too; it was plain that the model was spinning like a top. I was very pleased and surprised by the model's performance on this combination of motors. I'm going to have to find a bigger field if I move up to anything using C motors!

Recovery:
Ejection took place near apogee, and the parachute deployed nicely. I had to walk a bit to retrieve the model, but only because it flew so high!

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The Farside was a challenge to build and finish, but I'm very proud of the results. It looks great and the one flight to date was a real thrill.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

GUEST's OPINION:
12/02 - "My first feedback after being out of rocketry for 23 years. I recently built, Nov. 2002, my 1st Farside X in 25 years. I learned to finish fin stock flat with filler and an electric vibrating sander. This saves a lot of time, especially since the "X" has 9 large fins. Then I cut them out and round the edges: light filling and sanding the edges is a snap. Most importantly, if you want any 3 stager up quick, use D12-0 on the 1st stage like the Commanche. I did this with my 2nd Farside X in the early 70's with the D13-0 and the performance is tremendous over a C6-0 for lifting heavy payloads, even with a A8-5 sustainer. Mt typical launch back then was D13-0, B6-0, B6-6 with 3 to 3.5 ounce payloads. I've never been extreme altitude crazy, but I did do a couple of launches with D12-0, C6-0, C6-7 - wow! The Farside X was my favorite kit along with the Oribital Transport. The "X" was also my main payload kit, even over the Scrambler. Thanks for the memory." (B.A.)

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
01/03 - "As an old timer, the Farside X was one of my favorite Kits, especially for payload experiments. I was never an altitude rocketeer, but a payload nut. I built 3 "X's" in the early 70's and recently built my 4th in November 2002 after being out of rockety for 23 years. I used them more than the Scrambler, (3 cluster rocket for you youngsters), for heavy payloads of 3 to 5 ounces. The 2nd and 3rd kits I adapted for D engines in the 1st stage, just like the current Commanche III. The performance is amazing with a D engine getting the rocket up to speed quickly even with heavy payloads. The typical Engine combinations I used were: 1st rocket - B14-0, C6-0, B6-6, 2nd rocket - D13-0, B6-0, B6-6, (notice the D13-0, I told you I was an old timer) 3rd rocket - D12-0, B6-0, B6-6. I occasionally used C6 engines in the upper stages, but the field I used was really too small and I didn't need the extra altitude to demonstate the flight characteristics. In the early 70's Estes had the current D12-0 and the performance was identical to the older engines, they had the series 2 B14-0 as well. Even with a 2 ounce payload you'd be amazed what an A8-5 will do in the sustainer in the Farside X. Anyone looking for a mid altitude, large payload Estes rocket to teach about CG - CP flight characteristics, you cannot do better that this proven design. Even my custom payloaders with cluster on the booster never really exceeded the "X" by much. Here are a few hints from my experience if you build an "X" for payload: 1. D engine as a booster, even if you just use 2 stages. 2. Use 2 - 1/4" or 3/16" launch lugs, one on the top stage, and 1 on the booster. 3. Make the launch lug stand-offs out of hardwood. 4. Use a 48" launch rod, heavy payload or light payload. Estes recommended at least 36" with light payload, but I had my rocket cork screw twice on my first kit. Maybe my construction, I'll never know, but never had a problem with a 48" rod. (You shouldn't have a problem with a D engine boost, but why bother with a 36" rod). 5. Reinforce the top 1" of the BT-50 on the top stage. If you bump or drop the rocket with the payload section on, the body tube rips easily. The BT-60 payload section loaded is very heavy for the BT-50 main. I used a wrap fiberglass tape on the outside. When this was sanded a little and painted, it was hardly noticeable. 6. I would not recommend launching the "X" with a payload of less than 2 ounces. I checked the original directions from Estes and the minimum is an ounce and a half with a series 1 engine. I launched my first "X" with a B6-0 series 1 booster and the rocket cork screwed a little and tore the body tube slightly with an ounce and a half payload. My science teacher said it never looked stable until stage 2 lit. 7. Forget a camera, no matter how straight your fins are, the rocket spins. This is what helps give the "X" incredible stability. 8. Mark your C.G. on the Body Tube for different weights for fun and reference. (You'll never have a stability problem on lift-off with a D12 booster). I launched my "X's" more than 80 times in the 70's for demonstrating different CG - CP with different weights in the payload section. In fact, with the Farside X's large payload section, 3 stages and ability to carry heavy payloads, this is the best rocket I ever had for explaining Center of Gravity and Center of Pressure; and then going out to demonstrate the different flight characteristics involved. I still have my old notes on 61 of the flights. If anyone reads this and wants to teach others about what varying weight will do to a rockets flight characteristics, I'll be glad to answer questions about my experiences by e-mail. bk.allee “at” att.net" (B.A. )

Date	Name	Motor	Ejection/ Altitude	Wind	Notes
09-09-2003	Bob Allee	Est SU D12-0/Est SU B6-0/Est SU B6-6	Apogee - NC Down	Calm	- 2nd flight of my clone, flight perfect, arrow straight, 3.5 ounce payload.
09-09-2003	Bob Allee	Est SU D12-0/Est SU B6-0/Est SU B6-6	Apogee - Perfect	0-5 mph winds	- 1st flight on clone Farside, perfect flight, 3 ounce payload.
09-09-2003	Bob Allee	Est SU D12-0/Est SU B6-0/Est SU B6-6	Just Past (1-2sec)	Calm	- 3rd flight, C6-7 engine probably would have been better with the 4.5 ounce payload. Rocket was too slow and needed more boost from sustainer. What memories from the early 70's. Amazing rocket!!!
08-25-2009	Timothy Ramey	Est SU C6-5	Very Late (1000 ft)	0-5 mph winds	- First flight. Excellent launch and flight. Late ejection (600 ft.). Wind was high at ejection altitude. Lost in dense forest area. Will find in the winter foliage die down. Status: Lost