Finally, Evidence of a Chinese Rocketry Based Educational Program

Well it took a long call to Estes, but I finally was able to locate my first, in country, evidence of a model rocketry program for school students in the PRC.

https://www.zthj.com/hmxly.php



The color of the air in the photos looks to be what (I'm sadly guessing) not uncommon for Beijing.

I have no idea what the boys are doing with the ?launch pads? in the 2nd photo, but from the look of it, I'm guessing they are aiming for distance rather than altitude (perhaps due to field length issues). I'm stunned at the sheer number of launch pads seen in the 3rd and 4th photo. I wonder if each kid gets a launch pad of their own, or if this is something that the school regularly uses.

My research continues.

Also a guess, but maybe you're right that the second pic is to try for distance or target...perhaps trying to imitate the old "fire arrows" China invented and had used about 1,000 years ago.

See if you can find the factories in China that make the Estes kits!

The second picture looks like artillery school. :wink: The fourth picture looks like a variation of an MPC branded model:




You might try looking at FAI Spacemodeling competition. I think China is a participant at the annual world championships.

https://www.fai.org/ciam-our-sport/s-space-models

Pic 2 is practicing for Taiwan I think :wink:

samb said:

The second picture looks like artillery school. :wink: The fourth picture looks like a variation of an MPC branded model:

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You might try looking at FAI Spacemodeling competition. I think China is a participant at the annual world championships.

https://www.fai.org/ciam-our-sport/s-space-models

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Pretty certain that the fourth pic shows, interestingly and appropriately and not unsurprisingly, a herd of the indigenous to China scalish Sky kits of the Chinese Long March 3 sat booster....


https://www.erockets.biz/sky-flying-model-rocket-kit-long-march-3-7152/

The Chinese seem to have taken G. Harry Stine 's "Misfire Alley" launch system to a whole new level.

tab28682 said:

Pretty certain that the fourth pic shows, interestingly and appropriately and not unsurprisingly, a herd of the indigenous to China scalish Sky kits of the Chinese Long March 3 sat booster....


https://www.erockets.biz/sky-flying-model-rocket-kit-long-march-3-7152/

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Yes, a very versatile design !

NZM305 said:

Pic 2 is practicing for Taiwan I think :wink:

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:rofl:

I think "target" spot landing could be fun with those angled launchers.....

Limit it to A motors and any flight that hits the ground before the recovery system ejects is disqualified.

Everyone has to have the same launch angle, which appears to be the case there with those Chinese launchers. No observers in the target area during the "landings"....

Yes, I know it would violate the NAR safety code...

K'Tesh said:

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Note the very dense bright white smoke with no hint of a flame seen from the large rockets in the third frame from the left. I wonder what propellant is being used.

Not to be a real choker, (hah) I can barley tell the difference between the rocket's smoke and the air.

The Chinese even have "Winged Missile Journal", a magazine about Missiles!

I wish America had something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS3CN4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

tab28682 said:

Yes, I know it would violate the NAR safety code...

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https://www.nar.org/contest-flying/competition-guide/miscellaneous-events/spot-landing/

-- Roger

jadebox said:

https://www.nar.org/contest-flying/competition-guide/miscellaneous-events/spot-landing/

-- Roger

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Aware of the NAR event. The launch angle in the China photo is lower that is allowed by NAR making it more of a down-range event....