Ouch

[stealth6]

The good news is that I was able to get out and launch some rockets today - for the first time in MONTHS. Pretty good day, some decent launches, had a couple of successes trying out some new things, but..........had a bit of an accident. And one of my favorite rockets is no more.

Never had this happen, but the ejection charge simply never fired (this was an AT G53 29mm, motor eject). The rocket came in ballistic and simply disintegrated on impact (phenolic tubing of course). Here's what I found when I arrived at the "landing" spot:

[luke strawwalker]

The good news is that I was able to get out and launch some rockets today - for the first time in MONTHS. Pretty good day, some decent launches, had a couple of successes trying out some new things, but..........had a bit of an accident. And one of my favorite rockets is no more.

Never had this happen, but the ejection charge simply never fired (this was an AT G53 29mm, motor eject). The rocket came in ballistic and simply disintegrated on impact (phenolic tubing of course). Here's what I found when I arrived at the "landing" spot:

Did the fins whistle (on the way up or down??)

Later and sorry for yer loss there... OL JR

[stealth6]

The tail section and nose cone are mostly there, though pretty much damaged beyond repair. But the airframe literally disintegrated - tiny little shards and pieces just scattered around about a 20' radius. You can see about 8 or 10 of them in the picture. Pretty amazing really.

Dang, I liked this rocket. Ah well, I guess I'll have to build another one like it. Here's a pic of it in better days:

[Aksrockets]

Ouch is right! Looks like an end to a sweet rocket (those fins are awesome!) How is your motor case?

Alex

[Rocketbuilder]

Ow, reminds me of my cardstock Saturn 1B; the top half of it was completely flat. If you rebuild it let us know how it flies! Maybe you should contact the company that made the motor...

[Jiffycoil]

Damn Stealth,
That was a sweet rocket. I love the paint scheme.

[stealth6]

- definately whistled on the way down. It was kinda scary.

- motor case is fine; no damage there.

- thanks for the "fins are awesome", yeah I really like them myself.

- this was a real fun flyer for me; had a lot of really good flights. Was also actually my first AP/reloadable motor rocket, so had some good memories attached to it.

- contact the motor company? hmmm, maybe. I suspect what happened is that maybe the igniter was not all the way inserted? (meaning my fault). I know it was difficult to tell when I set it up. It was also the first time I've used a delay drilling tool - don't really think that had anything to do with it, but maybe.

- This was my only phenolic airframe rocket. I've had reservations about it in the past, but still wanted to try it out. I think I know now (meaning this is likely my LAST phenolic airframe). I've actually had other nose dives (though not this fast) with other rockets made from BlueTube and fibreglass - they came through the ordeal with no problems. IF I rebuild this (or more accurately, build it again), I'm definately using BlueTube.

- That said, I've got SO many other ideas that I want to get to, and little to no time to work with, so I suspect it will be a long time before this one ever lives again. c'est la vie.

[gdjsky01]

Damn Stealth,
That was a sweet rocket. I love the paint scheme.

Crap! Really sorry to see the pieces!

I can relate. I planted my Big-70 in the dirt with a no eject a few weeks ago. D9 RMS. Delay grain did not burn. I am careful to not get grease on it. I had the crapperhead properly placed with a piece-o-masking-tape... just never lit the delay grain.

I've used probably 50 RMS loads. I've had long delays now and then for sure. But never a no burn. Until then. Stuff happens.

That's why slowly but surely all my larger stuff is going electronic.

[stealth6]

That's why slowly but surely all my larger stuff is going electronic.

Yeah, I hear ya on this. I'm just on the verge of "going electronic" myself, and I'm really looking forward to it. I've actually got the bits, and the next two rockets in my build line (I'm working on them now) are going to be my first with avionics. Although I know this will bring a whole new set of problems to solve and possible things to go wrong, I'll be glad to leave the whole nervous-hoping-that-my-delay-grain-will-be-at-least-CLOSE-to-what-it-should-be thing behind. I've had quite enough "extra delay" flights, thank you.

The big hurdle I'm having is finding black powder. Like so many other areas, it seems to be pretty much impossible to purchase actual black powder around these parts - unless I want to buy 50 pounds. Yes, I know that pyrodex et al can be made to work, but I really would like to go with tried and true. I figure if I could get just one single 1lb. can of the good stuff, it will last me a VERY long time. I really don't fly all that often.

s6

[rocketspan]

I purchased my FFFF BP from Graf. Their brand works well and is $14.99/lb.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5406

I bought 2 lbs. and the total, including shipping/handling/insurance and hazmat fee came to $60. By the time you add on the additional fees it makes more sense to buy more than less.

The containers mine came in were black plastic bottles.

[gdjsky01]

Remember your reloads come with FFFF.

My best advice is try to buy a film can full from someone who already has a pound or two at a launch.

A film can full will last me 10 or more flight. Probably more.

[stealth6]

Thanks for the two tips on obtaining some black powder.

That website is the first I've seen that will sell you anything less than 5-10lbs. Unfortunately it still forces me to buy at least 2lbs which is WAY more than enough. Really a pound would be plenty by far. Spending $62, even if I am getting "extra", is the best deal I've found yet, but it's still a lot more than I'd like to spend.

I'd also love to simply buy a smaller quantity from someone at a club launch who has surplus. Unfortunately for me, I live very far from any such happenings. There are no clubs near me at all, and therefore no club events. I fly solo basically all the time (I've been to one meet). The nearest club launch is more than 4.5 hours drive from me. Realistically I will get to a club launch once a year or so (I'm planning to go to Hellfire17 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August - that one is 6plus hours away).

s6

[stealth6]

So, does anyone have any tips on the best way to remove an Aeropac base that's been JBWelded onto a LOC motor tube?

I'd like to at least salvage that if I can.

s6

[cdondanville]

So, does anyone have any tips on the best way to remove an Aeropac base that's been JBWelded onto a LOC motor tube?

I'd like to at least salvage that if I can.

s6

Uh, unfortunately I know EXACTLY how to do that. Strip away all the body and break off the aft centering ring. Then a couple of well placed blows with a hammer on the paper tube above the Aeropack will cause the tube to fold and buckle in. Rip the tube out from there. Use a dremel with the softer wire brush wheel to remove the old adhesive.

I have "reused" a couple that way.