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Lets take the way back machine to a time when Roy Weid sold some of the 'signature west coast' kits. About 2003 is when the Gladiator made its first appearance on the Public Enemy web site.
But long before that, probably early 1999, Roy was selling a new kit using many of the same compenents as the Fat Boys called a Gladiator. Looking at the design, one can certainly see how stability is an 'issue' as it's all fin. :y:
I certify'd Level 2 on a Gladiator at a joint LTR-ROC launch in August 1999 with an AT J275-M. That flight was to about 4000'. So that is just a ROCSIM guessimate. This was before the days of cheap altimeters.
I remember having about 2 pounds of lead sinkers in the nose. To fly a 54mm you had to. It was not much different that the people at the time shoving a K550 in a 4" Public Enemy Fatboy ultra. Needed nose weight. I used tubular kevlar to keep it all together.
Pretty sure this crappy image come off a Kodak Photo Diskette (not photo CD).
Off we go!
Right after I certified, I drag raced Ron McGough who had a Gladiator Ultra with a boat tail. Both again on J275s
That was the end. Next time out I flew yet another J275, and for whatever reasons the laundry did not deploy. End of rocket.
Sometime later, in a fit of madness I bought the little one. And it sat in storage for 10 years or so.
But long before that, probably early 1999, Roy was selling a new kit using many of the same compenents as the Fat Boys called a Gladiator. Looking at the design, one can certainly see how stability is an 'issue' as it's all fin. :y:
I certify'd Level 2 on a Gladiator at a joint LTR-ROC launch in August 1999 with an AT J275-M. That flight was to about 4000'. So that is just a ROCSIM guessimate. This was before the days of cheap altimeters.
I remember having about 2 pounds of lead sinkers in the nose. To fly a 54mm you had to. It was not much different that the people at the time shoving a K550 in a 4" Public Enemy Fatboy ultra. Needed nose weight. I used tubular kevlar to keep it all together.
Pretty sure this crappy image come off a Kodak Photo Diskette (not photo CD).
Off we go!
Right after I certified, I drag raced Ron McGough who had a Gladiator Ultra with a boat tail. Both again on J275s
That was the end. Next time out I flew yet another J275, and for whatever reasons the laundry did not deploy. End of rocket.
Sometime later, in a fit of madness I bought the little one. And it sat in storage for 10 years or so.
it won't be all gloss tan. Why tan? Because I have 6 16 ounce cans I got an special. :lol: Guess no one likes gloss tan paint... 
I think I uploaded the ROCKSIM file here or RocketReviews. But I can send if its needed.
