CrayonX1X2Projects3

After bolting everything together using
#8 drawer handle screws again (they have
a nice much wider and flatter head than
machine screws for stronger hold and less
drag for the same weight) I added up a third
rail button to the coupler/bottom tube
seam (also the same side with epoxy
and 'glass tape reinforcing inside the
coupler) for better guidance and less torque
on the bottom two buttons while on pad.

On the left Crayon X2 is fully stacked
for the first time, but then I had to
go and cut her up for one more time...

...This time at 7.75" so I could utilize my existing payload bay from
Crayon X3, that was build to house
an Aiptek el cheapo digital video camera and
has flown with success on previous flights...
That left me up with enough pre-cut parts for another
interchangeable payload bay build to meet any possible future
needs...

Technically this X2 build has been my most challenging
one yet up to date, being much more complicated and
somewhat heavier than a conventional glue-all-together
design, but the upside is flexibility and compatibility between all
three airframes to suit different flight profiles and launch site
conditions. Where X1 is designed to max out mid-power flying at
50oz fully loaded with a G64W (51oz. on G77R),
the X2 is built high power capable but optimized for two
G64's or ye to fly on high power fields where no ATF
compliant support is available, and X3 is a level2
capable design based on 24" 38mm MMT.

Close up of the twin
29mm motor mounts,
Kaplow type retainers,
and two tailcone retainer
screws all bolting thru
the 0.25 birch ply ring
using #8 T-nuts.

Due to heat generated by
larger motors, I used J B Weld
instead of epoxy
to glue on the
tailcone / retainer ring.
It is my usual practice with
any design using G power
and up...

Here's X1 sitting on my home baked high power rail (more on that some other time), coming up
to full pressure on G64W, and ripping to the sky on a G77R.

Its a pity the camera usually washes out most of the pretty laser bright redness of
the AT Redline reload flames, they look oh soooo sweet on the field...

Since these pix are also posted on Thor Oct-06 page, they will be replaced by X2 launch pix
as soon as available...

Well, here it is: The Crayon X Series family portrait.

From left to right like doing a count down:
X3 - a single 38mm payloader designed L2 capable, and has so far flown up to AMW !-315SK power,
X2 - a twin 29mm payloader designed to take any 29mm HPR load but optimized for twin full G's, and
X1 - a single 29mm mid-power airframe able to fly under 53oz liftoff / 4oz propellant maximum weight rules
without a payload bay, but can also use the same conventional or camera bays with her two bigger sisters.