MMMSClub July 28th

[mainer]

Who's going? I'll be there with some smaller goodies, and my cluster on a pair of H200BS! This will be the second time with these motors, it rips!!! We will have guests from NY this weekend.

[KennB]

I'll be there with some low and mid-power stuff.

Darrin, I picked up your package and will bring it along.

Eggy, I've got your camera found on the CMASS field after 8 months.

In addition to the low and mid-power pads, we'll have a high-power pad with 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" rods each six feet long; a 6-foot 1010 rail and the big, two-piece 1515 rail.

Looking forward to those grilled hot dogs.
Kenn

[jbuscaglia]

Leaving for NARAM tomorrow, so I'll have to miss this one. Maybe next time.

[KennB]

Leaving for NARAM tomorrow, so I'll have to miss this one. Maybe next time.

Okay, that'll be next week.
Have fun at NARAM.

[dlazarus6660]

What's the weather gonna be like tomorrow?

[KennB]

What's the weather gonna be like tomorrow?

The reports I hear say it's going to be spotty all weekend. It may be Florida-like with showers popping up in the afternoon.

Scott will make the call in the morning but I'll be heading there one way or another; I've got the HP equipment and can't come up on Sunday so one way or the other, I need to get the stuff to Scott.

Besides, it couldn't be any worse than your stroll under the center-pivot irrigation system, right?

[awseiger]

The reports I hear say it's going to be spotty all weekend. It may be Florida-like with showers popping up in the afternoon.

Scott will make the call in the morning but I'll be heading there one way or another; I've got the HP equipment and can't come up on Sunday so one way or the other, I need to get the stuff to Scott.

Besides, it couldn't be any worse than your stroll under the center-pivot irrigation system, right?

So there is a rain date Sunday? And let's hope that center-pivot isn't running this time. Be sure to bring that umbrella...

My dad is planning on attempting his L1 on a Madcow Torrent with a CTI H140. I really hope it doesn't rain for that! He's been working at this for a while. As my Mom says "I've created a monster". Muahahaha

I have a nice new 3x18mm tubefin cluster I have to try out, as well as my EZI-65's maiden flight on an H90. Also have a pack of D21's to launch my 18mm fleet on if I feel like it... As well as an F30 or two for my 24mm fleet. Most exciting for me is the initial trial of an active roll-stability system i've been developing, which hopefully ends in success.

Is anyone bringing a Pro-29 1-grain reload they'd be willing to trade/sell? I would like to put my pyramid up again also.

[kmf04040]

I was at my lhs today and mentioned the launch tomorrow with MMMSC and CMASS. The owner approached me and asked if I could pass the word along that he would be interested in having some hpr launches at an RC airshow on September 8. The airshow will be held at Sanford airport and they are hoping for approximately 10000 spectators. He has a waiver for 5000 ft. I know that MMMSC has a launch scheduled that day. Would anyone have any interest?

[dlazarus6660]

The reports I hear say it's going to be spotty all weekend. It may be Florida-like with showers popping up in the afternoon.

Scott will make the call in the morning but I'll be heading there one way or another; I've got the HP equipment and can't come up on Sunday so one way or the other, I need to get the stuff to Scott.

Besides, it couldn't be any worse than your stroll under the center-pivot irrigation system, right?

Kenn,

Please don't mention the "F" word.
And what do you mean you can't make it on Sunday, SUNDAY!

[KennB]

Kenn,

Please don't mention the "F" word.
And what do you mean you can't make it on Sunday, SUNDAY!

I thought that might get a rise out of you.

Hard as it may be to believe, I do have a life outside of work and rocketry; not much of one, but I do plan some other activities. I'll be heading to a show in Cambridge.

If you think that's bad, I'll miss the MMMSC launch on the 18th not matter what; I'll be at a family wedding in Connecticut that day.

[eggplant]

I will not be able to attend tomorrow, as I am currently in New York. I will hopefully see you all on the 4th!

[dlazarus6660]

I went to the launch, no pic's or video today. Still another great day for launching rockets.

[SAC of MMMSClub]

Yes we made 100 launches and for about 30 people thats not bad!

[jsargevt]

Wow 100 launches! That is impressive! I was happy to contribute my 3.5 (the half launch for the Defender that just sat on the pad and crudded up the blast deflector).

[awseiger]

100 Launches! Wohoo! My parents and I contributed to 21 of those...

All in all, a great day for launching. A little windy near the end, but *most* of my flights were low-and-slow, so it all worked out well.
Many thanks to the kind fellow who found Bucephalus! I'm off of the minimum diameter train for now. Even with a GIANT streamer it was impossible to see. It will fly again, this time on a C instead of an E. Oh, and Rubber shock cords have finally done me in. My Estes Patriot came home sans nosecone, thanks to the D21's large ejection charge...

My active roll stabilizer sort of worked. I'll post videos of it shortly. Looks like I limited the fin's rotation a little too much, as it couldn't turn far enough to resist the roll. My initiator flew straight and true though, which was the only thing I was worried about.

First flight on my EZI-65 was just as I expected it. 1g of FFFFg was just fine for the ejection charge, which I had been worried about as well.

Also, congrats to my Dad on his L1! About as picture-perfect of a cert flight one can have.

EDIT: After much editing, here's the video.

[jsargevt]

Man I *should* have contributed more! I just had some frustrations out on the field so I figured that I'd not press my luck! Maybe the Frenzy will get out of the tree! I really just want my 54mm case back (and my JL Alti2 but I'd settle just for the case at this point. I'll see if I can fashion a rope and weight but man it is pretty high up there.

However, the C-Star load was pretty excellent:




I simmed this to hit 2500 feet or so. I am about 30 feet in from the edge of the woods - SO CLOSE yet so far. Oh well. It happens. I am sure that I'll get the hardware back just with tonight's rain I'm sure the airframe is done.

I also put up the Dark Star Mini on a F-something IMAX. Pretty sweet motor! I do need to swap the parachute back in though.....the streamer comes down much too fast.

[jsargevt]

Since i have the right here...the rest of the notable pictures i too today.

My Defender just sitting there....smoking up the E11 motor. This motor has been cursed from day one - I should have just tossed the grains and built something worthwhile. It burned on here for 20 seconds or so and then....nothing. Oh well. Thanks AT for another AWESOME 24/40 experience.



Here is the Lil Goblin in Ghostbuster attire. I wanted to get a shot on the pad for Mark @ Stickershock.


Away she goes on a F motor:


...this is what happens when you have a delay that is WAY too long. Popped about 10 feet off the ground. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I was very, very, very upset with myself for making this error. This could have hurt someone or damaged something. Completely my fault for not double checking the delay length. I will also say that the F was a little underpowered and I should have stepped up to a G. This will NOT happen again on my watch. Thankfully, this just cost me a nosecone and some paint but this is what gives HPR a bad name.



A good day on the field for sure. Happy to have gotten some flights in even if they were not perfect.

[dlazarus6660]

Jason,

Great to finally meet you! Sorry on the treeing of your rocket. If I get up there this week, we'll see what we can do to retrieve it.

[kmf04040]

jsargevt was lucky his Defender didn't leave the pad when the motor failed. Unfortunately, my first flight of the day was my Aerotech IQSY Tomahawk on an AT E16, which also sat on the pad and produced a lot of smoke but then decided to finally produce enough thrust to launch itself into a slow arc over the irrigation and lawn dart on the other side, at which point the ejection charge went off. About 3 inches of tube crumpled slightly, but should be easily replaced.

[jsargevt]

jsargevt was lucky his Defender didn't leave the pad when the motor failed. Unfortunately, my first flight of the day was my Aerotech IQSY Tomahawk on an AT E16, which also sat on the pad and produced a lot of smoke but then decided to finally produce enough thrust to launch itself into a slow arc over the irrigation and lawn dart on the other side, at which point the ejection charge went off. About 3 inches of tube crumpled slightly, but should be easily replaced.

Aw man that is a bummer! Thankfully removing tube is pretty simple - you'll just have a more compact Tomahawk for the next launch. I shudder to think what the PVC of the defender might do in a lawn dart. PVC is very durable until you get to the point where it wants to break/shatter. So thanks for reminding me that I'm a lucky guy! I guess it's an improvement over the last 24/40 motor which blew up my Mega Mosquito on its maiden "flight". Ir got about 1 foot off the pad.

I think that the mosquito was an error in motor building but this E11 was absolutely a bad grain. I am not even going to complain to AT about it.

If your E16 is a single-use motor I'd complain to Aerotech - they might replace it, they might not. Heck they might say they will and never actually do it. Unfortunately, Aerotech's customer service pales in comparison to Estes. I haven not had the pleasure of using CTI's customer service so i'll not make comments on that.

[jsargevt]

Jason,

Great to finally meet you! Sorry on the treeing of your rocket. If I get up there this week, we'll see what we can do to retrieve it.

Likewise! I appreciate the help with locating the Frenzy! Let me know if anything happens with it this week and I'll plan on some way to give a shot at getting it down next Saturday. At least I can start thinking about a replacement or re-use of the materials which are waterproof! The rain is going to render the Frenzy out of commission I'm afraid!

[kmf04040]

If your E16 is a single-use motor I'd complain to Aerotech - they might replace it, they might not. Heck they might say they will and never actually do it. Unfortunately, Aerotech's customer service pales in comparison to Estes. I haven not had the pleasure of using CTI's customer service so i'll not make comments on that.

The E16 was a reload from a sealed package I found in my stuff that I had forgotten about. Mfg date of July 16, 2000. Maybe 12 year old reloads shouldn't be used. The Tomahawk airframe was damaged just about at it's midpoint so I think I can get some tubing and couplers and replace the damaged section.

Sorry about the Frenzy. Hopefully you can recover something, especially the gear.

[awseiger]

I can also help get the frenzy down as well. I'm very close to the launch site, and for some reason my friends enjoy rocket searching, but have never actually launched one...

Also, Aerotech's service was pretty good last time a motor failed. They replaced an F30 that didn't blow the ejection charge with 2 F30's. I plan on doing the motor trade-in with AMW/ProX, because I just don't trust them anymore...

That defender is PVC?! I have to take a look at that next time. I've been wondering how well it works as a small rocket airframe for some time. Shame about the motor though. I watched that from the HPR pad, and was hoping it didn't take off.

[dlazarus6660]

I can also help get the frenzy down as well. I'm very close to the launch site, and for some reason my friends enjoy rocket searching, but have never actually launched one...

Alex,

That would be great if someone could get the Frenzy down. It is at least 60 feet up, but easy to locate. Just as the road starts to bend to the right, look from there. You should see an old pallet near the woods, half covered on the ground with grass. Go straight in from there. The big pine tree has a motorcycle trail to the left side of it.
PM me if you need more info.

Daniel

Lat. & Long.

43.319041,-70.898829

[jsargevt]

Alex,

I will gladly hook you up with a reload or whatever if you get the frenzy down! I dropped a pin on iPhone maps as well but dlazarus gave the gps coordinates as well. When i went back later in the afternoon there is a large tree down to the left of the pallet. If you see that get into the woods, head right and look up The orange chute really helps!

Next weekend I'll get there a little earlier so we can chat. The defender is pretty cool - I really want to get the Mizz Rhonda Eric makes as well. The construction is super slick - aluminum centering rings and retainers. Screws to hold them in. Fins with mechanical lock tabs. Very nice kits. I wanted to see how your stabilizing fin worked but I was having a difficult day!

Pm me as well if you want more info. I have some pictures of the entry area but that might not help. Thanks for the offer of help! I appreciate all the help from everyone so far.

[kmf04040]

I also want to give thanks to the person who found the sustainer from my gap-staged Terrier-Orion. The rocket weather-cocked quite severely during the boost phase and when the sustainer ignited, it was pointed several degrees away from vertical. The body tube zippered upon ejection, but should fly again. This was the first time I had converted a kit to use more powerful motors than intended by the manufacturer (Quest recommended no more than a C6, I flew on a D12-0/B6-4 combo). This was also not only my first attempt at a gap-staged multi-stager, but was also the first time I had built and flown a multi-stage rocket. Although the flight didn't end the way I had intended, I am satisfied that both motors ignited properly and the rear-ejection recovery of the booster worked.

[georgeb]

It was great to be part of the launch day. We got to meet alot of good people and i learned a few things. I live on Cape Cod so it's a bit of a drive. If you go I recommend bringing a few extra bucks,they have hot dogs for sale. My brothers girlfriend made a video of our time at the event
http://youtu.be/8SrUlLJve8s
My brothers rocket broke off a couple fins,a neighbor on the grounds the club had had epoxy. Fixed it an flew again. Great people there. The launch officer schooled me on weather cocking,I angled my rod wrong. Glad to learn. We almost had a drag race between my brothers Quark an a Mosquito,the Mosquito had Igniter problems.

[dlazarus6660]

It was great to be part of the launch day. We got to meet alot of good people and i learned a few things. I live on Cape Cod so it's a bit of a drive. If you go I recommend bringing a few extra bucks,they have hot dogs for sale. My brothers girlfriend made a video of our time at the event
http://youtu.be/8SrUlLJve8s
My brothers rocket broke off a couple fins,a neighbor on the grounds the club had had epoxy. Fixed it an flew again. Great people there. The launch officer schooled me on weather cocking,I angled my rod wrong. Glad to learn. We almost had a drag race between my brothers Quark an a Mosquito,the Mosquito had Igniter problems.

That would be me who had the epoxy. Glad I could help and please do come again! The club launches twice a month, a lot I know, but at least try to attend once every six weeks!

[georgeb]

That would be me who had the epoxy. Glad I could help and please do come again! The club launches twice a month, a lot I know, but at least try to attend once every six weeks!

Thats cool,thanks again,my brother was so psyched to fly after it broke. I am going to try to make the club launch on the 18th . It will be great to see you there. It was a great launching my models with high power engines,an meeting cool people. Had a great conversation on Battlestar Galactica!
Next time I will get some hot dogs at lunch break.

[jsargevt]

Dan and Alex (and anyone else who cares)

My wife did some recon on the frenzy. The recovery is more difficult than initially thought.

1). The cords are wrapped aru d the branch at this point. She was thinking that even if you got so etching hooked on it you might not be able to just pull to recover.

2). It is too dense to try to toss something up there. She tried with a rope and weight and there isn't a good appproach to get a clear shot.

3). If you wanted to use a pole it has to be in sections as she didn't think you could maneuver one up due to the density of tree right there.

4). She did say that a step ladder could get you up to a climb able branch. She said that she might be able to climb from there. If anyone is a decent climber it sounds like it might be doable. The issue is that a heavier person might weigh too much and break off some of the lower branches. That would be bad. An extension ladder would get you closer but same issue - you would need a really big ladder and even then you might be climbing.

After seeing it again I am still thinking that this is a chainsaw recovery. We will have a ladder for the next launch to see what we can do. If anyone has other suggestions I am open!