GDJ
Semi-retired Rocketry guy
Winds were calm up here, not too cold but cool and moist, but beggars can't be choosers, right?
Maiden launches and results:
1) Quest "Magnum Sport Loader Refit" (modified 2-stage D12/E9 powered with longer bodytube)
4 Perfect launches, perfect stage separation, all successful deployments and recovery. Parachutes were not fully opening due to cooler conditions, but rocket was not damaged (backup Canada Flag / streamer was sufficient).
2) Estes "Vagabond" (rerigged for 2 stage D12/E9 flight)
1 launch. Liftoff perfect. Failed separation, booster caught on the main engine retainer hook, held, and forced rocket to curl over and hit the ground at full speed (hit about 3 seconds after burnout) on a frozen gravel road. Booster totally destroyed. Rocket totally destroyed. Destroyed payload (Sonic Locator). Might be a motor mount left. Recovered Canada Flag / streamer for reuse.
3) Replica Cardstock rocket (copy of Quest "Big Betty". Modified for C6-0/C6-5 flight)
4 launches. First launch failed due to greater mass than anticipated (Bodytube thicker and heavier than normal tube). C6-0 engine failed to clear launchpad. Rocket spun and hit the ground at low speed. Minor damage to fins, front of bodytube.
Launches #2 to #4 were flown as single stage. Apogee was lower than simulated, but all were successful flights and recovery.
4) Cardstock Rocket "The Pencil" (13mm bodytube A3-4T engine)
1 launch. Perfect liftoff, but CATO midflight (crack in the blackpowder?). Nothing recovered. Bits and pieces everywhere.
5) Scratch built rocket codenamed "Teardrop" (made from Shampoo bottles, BT-60 tube, custom open skeleton fins, 3 cluster C6 engines)
2 flights. First one perfect. 3 C's really haul butt fast! Second flight failed due to one engine firing, #2 and #3 did not. Rocket did clear launchpad, but hovered and fell to the ground. No damage. Totally flyable.
Repeat flights
1) Estes "Nova Payloader"
2 launches. 2 recoveries. Damaged Shockcord due to thread disintergration. Will replace with 20lb. Steel fishing leader. End of problem.
2) Genevieve's original rocket V2.0
1 launch. Perfect flight. New leader line shock cord worked perfectly. Recovered and flyable.
3) Genevieve's "Shiny Shooter 2"
2 launches. 2 recoveries. Parachute failed to open fully due to cold, but backup streamers were just sufficient.
4) Estes "ATW" mini-rocket.
1 launch. perfect flight. No issues.
All-in-all a good day. Very happy about the Magnum. The upgraded engines with the booster work EXTREMELY well. Very sad about the Vagabond, but that's probably something I overlooked when I put it all together before launch, probably forgot to double-check something.
Maiden launches and results:
1) Quest "Magnum Sport Loader Refit" (modified 2-stage D12/E9 powered with longer bodytube)
4 Perfect launches, perfect stage separation, all successful deployments and recovery. Parachutes were not fully opening due to cooler conditions, but rocket was not damaged (backup Canada Flag / streamer was sufficient).
2) Estes "Vagabond" (rerigged for 2 stage D12/E9 flight)
1 launch. Liftoff perfect. Failed separation, booster caught on the main engine retainer hook, held, and forced rocket to curl over and hit the ground at full speed (hit about 3 seconds after burnout) on a frozen gravel road. Booster totally destroyed. Rocket totally destroyed. Destroyed payload (Sonic Locator). Might be a motor mount left. Recovered Canada Flag / streamer for reuse.
3) Replica Cardstock rocket (copy of Quest "Big Betty". Modified for C6-0/C6-5 flight)
4 launches. First launch failed due to greater mass than anticipated (Bodytube thicker and heavier than normal tube). C6-0 engine failed to clear launchpad. Rocket spun and hit the ground at low speed. Minor damage to fins, front of bodytube.
Launches #2 to #4 were flown as single stage. Apogee was lower than simulated, but all were successful flights and recovery.
4) Cardstock Rocket "The Pencil" (13mm bodytube A3-4T engine)
1 launch. Perfect liftoff, but CATO midflight (crack in the blackpowder?). Nothing recovered. Bits and pieces everywhere.
5) Scratch built rocket codenamed "Teardrop" (made from Shampoo bottles, BT-60 tube, custom open skeleton fins, 3 cluster C6 engines)
2 flights. First one perfect. 3 C's really haul butt fast! Second flight failed due to one engine firing, #2 and #3 did not. Rocket did clear launchpad, but hovered and fell to the ground. No damage. Totally flyable.
Repeat flights
1) Estes "Nova Payloader"
2 launches. 2 recoveries. Damaged Shockcord due to thread disintergration. Will replace with 20lb. Steel fishing leader. End of problem.
2) Genevieve's original rocket V2.0
1 launch. Perfect flight. New leader line shock cord worked perfectly. Recovered and flyable.
3) Genevieve's "Shiny Shooter 2"
2 launches. 2 recoveries. Parachute failed to open fully due to cold, but backup streamers were just sufficient.
4) Estes "ATW" mini-rocket.
1 launch. perfect flight. No issues.
All-in-all a good day. Very happy about the Magnum. The upgraded engines with the booster work EXTREMELY well. Very sad about the Vagabond, but that's probably something I overlooked when I put it all together before launch, probably forgot to double-check something.
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