So, the rocket has flown! With a finished empty weight of 10.7 ounces, I decided to make the official, finished maiden launch using an Aerotech E20-4W. Based on how the rocket flew previously, I expected an altitude of 500 feet on the launch. With some wind forecast on launch day, I asked Bernard if he wouldn't mind if I flew Roc n Roll as the first flight of our launch in the morning, before the wind had a chance to pick up (I am not prepared at all to risk losing this thing to the trees, haha!), and Bernard graciously agreed. So, with no time to let the nerves build up, I prepped the rocket and loaded it onto my jawstand rail launcher (that I had just completed that morning), took a short "before" video, then headed back to the safety line.
With some buildup, and dozens of people in attendance watching, Bernard hit the launch button and the Flying V took to the air with authority. After a slight yaw into the wind on liftoff, it flew perfectly straight, trailing smoke and fire on the way up. Just past apogee, the ejection charge deployed. The parachute took a couple seconds to open, and those were a very long couple seconds as I watched two months' worth of work falling toward the ground. Fortunately, the parachute opened and my precious Summer Buildoff contest entry landed safely about 50 feet away from where I was standing.
To help keep the motor hook tight against the Aerotech motor, I wrapped some masking tape around the motor and the hook. Unfortunately, the ejection charge proved too strong and the hook cut the tape. As a result, the motor came out during deployment. So, lesson learned on that. Next time I'll bring a cable tie and tie that around the motor and hook. That will definitely hold it in place better than a few wraps of masking tape. I am pondering doing a full scale Flying V some time (I believe mine is somewhere around 78% scale), and that would get a 29mm motor mount with a screw-on retainer. I still may be able to adapt a retainer to this model, but I have confidence that a zip tie will provide plenty of strength for future flights.
After the first round of rockets finished, I went to retrieve Roc n Roll. It suffered no rash from the flight, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief as two months of hard work came to a successful conclusion. I checked my video camera to make sure the video turned out, set the rocket back on the launch rail for some beauty shots, and enjoyed the rest of the launch with a smile on my face. It was a great day to be in rocketry.
The "Roc n Roll" Flying V guitar rocket was a big hit at the field, and I received a lot of compliments about it. Personally, I couldn't be happier about how it turned out - it is beautiful, strong, flies great, and is exceptionally unique. That I built this from an idea in my head, and motivation in the form of this contest, makes me very proud of the finished result.
I would like to thank Scotty Dog for the idea of running a build contest this year. I think it's safe to say that no matter who wins the contest, that we all have had the chance to watch some really great builds. Those of us participating have used this contest as motivation to try something new ourselves, and to be able to share our ideas on the forum and enjoy others' builds has made all of us winners this summer. So thanks again to Scotty and I'm looking forward to watching, and perhaps participating, in future contests.
With that said, I am pleased to present my contest submission, in the form of the Youtube video below. It contains video and pics from the proof of concept, all the way through the build and launch. It is best viewed in full screen mode, and with the volume turned way, way up. Enjoy, and thanks again.
[video=youtube;E3HRke8A5ow]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3HRke8A5ow[/video]
