Snecma C-450 Coléoptère Semi-Scale Builders Kit

Description

The Coleoptere is one of the most visually striking tail-sitter VTOL plane designs from the 1950s. The model flew much better than the prototype ever did (I guess there was no pilot that needed to land this while looking over their shoulder). You will get all the 3D printed parts (printed w/ ABS plastic filament)–including the huge nearly 5″ across airfoil ring tail–and CNC’d plywood fins (milled from 1.75mm birch plywood) to make the unique Coleoptere model shown below.

This is a builders kit so you provide the standard Estes tube — BT-60 main body (5″ / 12cm), nose weight (in my build I used 2oz but could have maybe gone lighter), and recovery system. Nose cone has tick marks on shoulder to make marking tubes easier and you will receive build advice documents w/ diagrams. The kit includes 24mm motor mount and rod-style launch lug / tube and you will be provided with build notes / diagrams and more details of the build.

Here is my built version launching on a D12-3:

Here is the OpenRocket simulation (you will receive the ORK file with your order so you can update with your specific build). Note: There are lots of workaround to simulate this rocket so not 100% sure this is an accurate CP calculation. Also, the stability calibers is based on a mock body tube the size of the ringtail that I needed to create to get the outer fins to be placed correctly on the ring tail. If you used the BT-60 it would be .83 calibers. The CG for this simulation is very close to where it is on my built model.

I usually just prime my models (the design process is my favorite part of the challenge) and leave the fancy finishing to others that excel there (a couple of nice and simple variations for possible paint schemes out there or you can adopt a fictitious US scheme). 3D printed and CNC’d parts may require some cleanup, support / tab removal, filling, sanding, etc…

Disclaimer: I only list and sell rockets that I have built and launched stable. However, so much of the build for these models depends on choices you make in assembly, motor configurations, weight of fillets / glue, etc… Thus, I cannot guarantee that your flight will be as stable as mine. I strongly recommend that you update Open Rocket simulations files to match your build and do a swing test or other stability test to confirm stability prior to launching. Also you should always pay careful attention with “heads up” launches till you are sure of the stability of a new model rocket. Please follow NAR guidelines as well as local and other laws and regulations.