Stormcaster launch report

[Handeman]

Even though the Estes Stormcaster could be a LPR, it is a 24mm and I fly it on composite motors mostly. Which is why I posted this here.

The previous launch was on a F24-7W. It was a great flight but the shock cord broke. It had the original 24" Estes rubber cord and 36" of additional 1/4" elastic cord added. The BT landed close, but the location of the chute and nose cone was determined when someone with binocular saw it hit the metal dome on top of a silo a half mile away. The flock of birds leaving the silo was also a clue. Anyway, had a nice conversation with the farmer and found the chute and nose cone just outside the barnyard. Good thing, I'm not sure I could have cleaned all the fertilizer off of it a cow had stepped on it in the barnyard, if I would have even found it.

Replaced the shock cord with 12' of none elastic cord and launched it again yesterday on a F39-9T. Talk about SCREAM! That lite rocket (5 oz w/o motor) just hauls with that motor! Sims to 430 mph and 2,000 ft. and it sure looked every bit as fast and high as that.

It took forever to come down. The 18" chute is too big, should have a 12", or maybe 15". Fortunately it was a very calm day and it landed 400 ft from the pad.

Here's a pic on the pad. There was no way I could time a shot with the rocket leaving the pad on the F39, just too quick.

BTW the white mark at the top is where some paint flaked off from the previous landing.

[dr wogz]

I love my Stromcaster. Clean, simple desing, but flies soo well!

Mainly the BP D12-5 or 7. i beleive I did an Esomething in it, but jsut way too high!! (and too much walking!!)

A 15" with a large spill hiole is what I beleive I have on mine..

[MKP]

The Stormcaster is one of the best fliers I've ever seen. Goes way up there on a D12. Guess I I should be glad my 24mm rms won't fit in the MM. I might not see it again! I can't imagine how fast it would scream on an F39

[Handeman]

The Stormcaster is one of the best fliers I've ever seen. Goes way up there on a D12. Guess I I should be glad my 24mm rms won't fit in the MM. I might not see it again! I can't imagine how fast it would scream on an F39

Your 24/40 RMS will fit in the MM. You just have to take a small file and file down the forward part of the motor hook until it is flush with the motor stop. That's all I did.

When you do that, and I know you will do that, I would also recommend a little motor retention insurance. I wrap a small piece of copper wire around the motor to keep the motor hook in place.



This might not keep you from losing the casing with the rocket, but at least you won't loose just the casing when it spits at a thousand feet or two.

[MKP]

Sorry, I should have explained better. I've filed down the motor hooks my rockets and gotten the RMS to fit all my 24mm rockets except my Stormcaster. The motor mount is just too small. It's a tight fit for D12's and the RMS casing just can't squeeze in. Just would up on the wrong side of the tolerances, I guess. I'd love to fly it on something like an F12.

You did a great job on yours, this is one of my favorite rockets, even if it's just a 3FNC.

[Handeman]

Understood. Too bad about the small tube. You could put another motor mount in it , but I'm not sure I would bother. I think a better alternative is getting another Stormcaster kit.