Today I had another mini engine CATO.
A10-3T.
Never had a mini engine CATO before, then I have experienced or witnessed 3 or 4 just within the past year.
Anybody else seeing this, or is it just me?
Today I had another mini engine CATO.
Well now that is always the dilemma.I realize I'm a little late to this thread, but it's interesting to see others having similar issues. On my last launch I destroyed an estes fuse from an A10 Cato. Guess I should fill out a report. I still have 3 left in the pack. Should I still launch them?
Will they still replace discontinued rockets? I'm pretty sure the Fuse is discontinued.Besides the MESS report, if your rocket was destroyed and it was an Estes, you can get it replaced along with the motor. Contact Estes customer service. They're the best.
If they no longer have that particular rocket they will offer a replacement of comparable value.Will they still replace discontinued rockets? I'm pretty sure the Fuse is discontinued.
Fly them in a Lunar Scout. It's Cato proof...I realize I'm a little late to this thread, but it's interesting to see others having similar issues. On my last launch I destroyed an estes fuse from an A10 Cato. Guess I should fill out a report. I still have 3 left in the pack. Should I still launch them?
That sucks, but you got a great picture out of it...Today I had another mini engine CATO.
View attachment 477957
A10-3T.
Never had a mini engine CATO before, then I have experienced or witnessed 3 or 4 just within the past year.
Anybody else seeing this, or is it just me?
Plus Estes has mysteriously been out of stock of the A10s. I suspect they've pulled the motors with all the Catos. For replacement, they can offer a similar motor like the A3.If they no longer have that particular rocket they will offer a replacement of comparable value.
My problem hasn't been CATO's with the A10's, (although I've had a few) but rather ejection failures. I've flown several A10-3t motors this summer that failed to eject at all, meaning the clay cap was still fully intact. The date code on these engines is D21 0521 and were purchased at Hobby Lobby. For the record, I did file MESS reports on these failures.
My most recent failure was over the weekend when my NRC A Parachute Duration rocket failed to deploy, disqualifying my flight and destroying my rocket. I contacted Estes for the replacement warranty, usually they like pictures of the malfunctioning engine showing the issue as well as the date code and engine size. I always include these photos when I contact Estes. This time they also requested I soak the remaining three engines in water over night and send a photograph of that as well. Has anyone else been requested to do this?
I think that when you destroy motors at the request of the manufacturer, you should also submit MESS failure reports on each of them just so more complete counts can be tallied.When they shipped me new C6-5s this summer that were having ejection problems, I had to soak the remaining bulk pack and send pictures, 17 of them. Made me want to cry. I would have preferred to bench test them all for data...but no luck on that approach.
This got me thinking. Manufacturers frequently issue voluntary recalls if their product is tainted or defective. Cars, air bags, toys, furniture, prescription drugs, food come to mind.I think that when you destroy motors at the request of the manufacturer, you should also submit MESS failure reports on each of them just so more complete counts can be tallied.
This got me thinking. Manufacturers frequently issue voluntary recalls if their product is tainted or defective. Cars, air bags, toys, furniture, prescription drugs, food come to mind.
Has there ever been a recall of defective rocket motors? Not even the notorious E-9s?
I know that advisories have been issued, for example by Aerotech.
Hmmm.....
It's in that oval thing next to the arrow.I've never had to file a MESS report, but two weeks ago I had a CATO with an Estes B motor. Where do I find the date code? (One of the fields on the MESS report). Hopefully it's not on the packaging, since I always ditch that and store my motors in a metal case. I couldn't find the casing but I DO have the remaining motors from my order, so hopefully the date code is printed somewhere on the casing.
I do not think there has ever been a formal rocket motor recall. I think there have been some voluntary motor exchanges, but nobody wants to ship bad motors back to the manufacturer, or back up the retail supply chain. Probably the most notorious was the Estes D13, especially the November 1970 vintage.This got me thinking. Manufacturers frequently issue voluntary recalls if their product is tainted or defective. Cars, air bags, toys, furniture, prescription drugs, food come to mind.
Has there ever been a recall of defective rocket motors? Not even the notorious E-9s?
I know that advisories have been issued, for example by Aerotech.
Hmmm.....
Though it may not be in an oval if the motor is either much older or much newer than Alan's example:It's in that oval thing next to the arrow.
Alan
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