Hans "Chris" Michielssen's Page

AKA: hcmbanjo
Location: Orlando, FL
Club Memberships: NAR
Favorite Rockets: Estes Goblin
Personal Home Page: www.oddlrockets.com
Club Home Page: www.R-O-C-K.org
RocketReviews.com Pages:
Rocket Gallery
Flight Log
Flight Statistics

2025-09-15

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 11, Engine Mount Gluing

Blog
I used a dowel t' roll a line o' glue inside t' body tube. Ahoy! T' upper rin' would slide into t' glue ring. Arrr! T' mount is held beside t' body tube alongside t' dowel. T' top o' t' dowel is just under t' upper centerin' ring. Arrr! At t' bottom, arrr, t' dowel is marked with pencil for a depth guide. Note t' maskin' tape around t' engine mount. T' tape is only thar for a pencil mark at 1 9/16" from ... [More]

2025-09-14

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 10, Some Parts Prep

Blog
T' blow molded adapters fit loose in their body tubes. T' ones that are t' be glued in got t' shoulders built up with two lines o' Fabri-Tac. Let t' glue lines dry before tryin' t' new fit in t' tubes. T' nose cone still had a seam recess after sandin' down t' raised mold line. This was filled with a bead o' medium CA glue. Ahoy! This CA bead will take a while t' dry. Sand t' surface ... [More]

2025-09-13

Estes LTV Scout, Build, ya bilge rat, Part 9, 2nd Stage Adapter Insulation

Blog
Some CA glue be run around t' tube/adapter joints at t' top and bottom. T' inside tube seam got a good drip o' wood glue smoothed out with a Q-tip. Arrr! Blimey! After t' glue dried, T' overhang was trimmed down and sanded even with t' top and bottom o' t' plastic adapter. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' bottom lip o' t' adapter is still exposed t' t' ejection charge. Blimey! Blimey! Some epoxy was mixed and rolled on with t' Q-tip. Begad! Blimey! ... [More]

2025-09-12

Estes LTV Scout, Build, me hearties, Part 8, 2nd Stage Adapter Insulation

Blog
A build comment: I have two LTV’s from way back. One is retired, t' other is restored and flies great! I would recommend extendin' t' engine tube past t' blow mold adapter below t' “Italia” decals. Blimey! T' ejection charge blew apart t' adapter on both models. Especially if you sand down t' seams, they get very thin. Arrr! I also use two parachutes for recovery. It’s a beautiful ... [More]

2025-09-11

Estes LTV Scout, Build, me bucko, Part 7, ya bilge rat, Great Tubes!

Blog
Oh, how I miss t' older, me bucko, tighter better made tubes! They feel denser and stronger. T' picture shows t' BT-60 tube lower tube. T' seams are very tight and were easily filled with CWF, T' upper tubes didn't need any CWF, me bucko, I couldn't find t' seam recess! Just a good shot o' filler/primer and sandin' should take care o' anythin' remaining, ya bilge rat, Here t' shorter tubes are slid onto ... [More]

2025-09-10

Estes LTV Scout, arrr, Build, Part 6, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

Blog
I did a dry fit (no glue) t' see how t' wood tunnels fit against t' molded ends. Ya scallywag! They were a little higher than t' top o' t' adapter plastic. Begad! T' top was take down with 220 grit on a block. Begad! I still left it a hair high t' follow up with t' next step. Avast, me proud beauty! These tunnels are about 1/4" wide, that could leave a gap against t' curvature o' t' tube. Avast! I wrapped some 220 grit around a 3/4" wide dowel ... [More]

2025-09-09

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 5, me hearties, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

Blog
Here's how t' instructions have you cut and separate t' wood conduits. A difficult task, cuttin' at an angle usin' a strait edge and knife. I cut t' first tunnel out, then changed me method. After tryin' t' sand t' sides at an angle, t' first conduit didn't seem wide enough for smooth transition meetin' against t' molded plastic conduit ends. I ran a pencil down t' trenches. I cut t' ... [More]

2025-09-08

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 4, arrr, Engine Mount Gussets

Blog
These are probably t' thinnest centerin' rings I've ever run across - T' thickness o' two layers o' 110 lb. cardstock. I've used gussets in t' past t' beef up an engine mount. Arrr! I wanted t' gussets at a 120 degree spacin' or close t' it. Blimey! A copy paper strip was rolled around t' BT-20 tube. Aye aye! Two even folds were made givin' three gusset positions. Well, blow me down! Wrap around t' tube and mark at t' ... [More]

2025-09-07

National When Pigs Fly Day!

Blog
Featured on t' Apogee Facebook page: Celebratin' 'When Pigs Fly' Day! Ever been told your idea is crazy, or that somethin' will happen 'when pigs fly'? Today's your reminder that determination and a little bit o' innovation can make even t' most impossible-soundin' dreams take flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Just like t' Pigasus rocket you'll find on our website. You can do this, we can help! [More]

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 3, Engine Mount

Blog
T' engine block was installed just above t' engine hook slot position usin' a glue ended dowel. T' engine hook had a slight reverse bend in it. Arrr! I bent a gentle curve t' better retain t' motor. T' instructions mentioned a hold down strap on t' pattern sheet (back o' face card). There wasn't one. Avast, me proud beauty! No big deal. I used a wrap o' electrical tape which would last longer than maskin' tape. Ya scallywag! A drop ... [More]

2025-01-04

Estes Mini Bertha Clone

Flight
- Estes A3-4t - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Estes Blue Origin, matey, New Shepard

Flight
Stable with a B6-4, nay so much with a C6-5. Ya scallywag! Flew a bit south over t' trees. Recovered by other club members with t' pole. No damage! - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. Ya scallywag! [More]

Semroc Snake Jumper

Flight
Launch wasn't vertical and veered off t' t' south. Avast! Landed in trees, given up for lost. - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. Begad! [More]

2024-12-07

Centuri Vector V

Flight
My Centuri VECTOR V clone be first in t' air with an Estes A8-3. Begad! Blimey! On t' left is an Estes Viking, matey, t' kit used t' make me clone. Altitude was estimated t' be around 225 feet. Aye aye! Blimey! Reefed 12" chute recovery. Avast! Blimey! - A8-3 - Orlando R.O.C.K. Avast! Blimey! [More]

Ol'SaltRockets Stealth

Flight
Stable and true. Broke off one o' t' smaller winglet fins, nay recovered. Begad! - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

Odd'l X-15 Goony

Flight
A favorite is my Goony X-15 . Ahoy! Part are from a Quest X-15 parts pack but built around a shorter BT-60. Aye aye! Great stable flight usin' an older Chinese made Quest B6-4 motor. Begad! Estimated altitude was 325'. - German Made Quest B6-4 - ROCK Monthly [More]

ASP Micro Wac Corporal

Flight
This be t' ASP MMX CORPORAL , me hearties, a well performin' MMX bird. Ya scallywag! It was easy t' follow t' Mylar streamer as it descended. - 1/8A-1 - Orlando R.O.C.K. Aye aye! [More]

Semroc Centurion

Flight
Very stable, me bucko, slow lift off. Ejection blistered t' paint right above t' baffle inside. - B6-4 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

2024-06-29

Ol'SaltRockets Little Green Man

Flight
A little wobble on t' way up. Well, blow me down! Nay much altitude but recovered safely. - B4-4 - Muncie AMA Field [More]

2024-04-06

Quest MMX Saturn V

Flight
T' larger fins really didn't help much, shiver me timbers, it was unstable after it cleared t' short launch rod. Begad! - 1/8A-1 - Orlando R.O.C.K. [More]

2015-04-19

Rockets By Style / Kit-Bash/Modified

Photograph

Hans "Chris" Michielssen's Orange (Q Cobalt Kitbash)

2014-11-09

Rockets By Style / Kit-Bash/Modified

Photograph

MX-774 Kitbash on an Estes A8-3. Bunnell Blast, November 8, 2014

2012-09-22

Saturn Press Saturn V - Step 17

Build Entry
T' outside curved lines o' t' Engine Fairin' Shrouds were cut from t' cardstock with scissors. Blimey! T' interior Fin Slots were cut with a knife and straight-edge. [More]

Saturn Press Saturn V - Step 16

Build Entry
T' A Frames and Fins were pressed together. T' C Frames are pressed into t' A Frames and Fins. Arrr! Be careful handlin' t' Fin paint while assembling. Silver or metallic paints are easy t' dull with fingerprints. After all were assembled dry (no glue) I applied white glue t' all t' joints with ... [More]