Name that reload

[mpitfield]

At my last mid-power launch someone gave me this unidentified reload. All I know is the obvious, it's a 2 grain 29mm CTI, presumably a G. My first thoughts were a G80 because the propellant has a brownish look to it but when I look at it closer it looks like grey and brown, so possibly some oxidation. Maybe the coloured dots on the ejection charge cap tell part of the story. I am sure one of you CTI gurus will know what it is.

 

[eggplant]

I would have guessed Vmax (G250) given the gigantic cores, but I don't know if those typically have the BP starter pellet and the nozzle throat looks somewhat small. Maybe it's White Thunder (G126).

 

[mccordmw]

Is the core that big?

Do I see shiny specks in the propellant? Skidmark maybe?

 

[dhbarr]

Cesaroni G88 Smoky Sam
Cesaroni G80 Skidmark
Cesaroni G83 Blue Streak
Cesaroni G57 Classic
Cesaroni G68 White
Cesaroni G250 Vmax
Cesaroni G126 White Thunder

Most likely options so far are the 126 and the 250 based on core size?

 

[mpitfield]

Well I should be able to knock off the list or focus on the the G250 Vmax as I have one in my motor box and can simply open it up and compare.

Is the core that big?

Do I see shiny specks in the propellant? Skidmark maybe?

I believe there are shiny specks in there, that is one of the reasons I thought it might be a G80. I will have to have a closer look under my magnifier, eyes are not what they used to be up close.

 

[mccordmw]

Also, weigh the grains. The White and White Thunder are close to 60g propellant while the Skidmark and VMax are 50 and 50.6g, respectively. I'm not sure how much weight the paper and BP pellet weight, though.

Last test is to shave a tiny sliver off the end. It shouldn't affect performance. Do a burn test to see color of flame, smoke, and presence or absence of sparks.

 

[boatgeek]

The 29mm 1-grain smoky Sam looks an awful lot like that with the giant core. Assuming they stack two identical grains, I'd go with the G88. By propellant color, it could also be WT or SK. Vmax doesn't have the starter pellet.

 

[mpitfield]

The 29mm 1-grain smoky Sam looks an awful lot like that with the giant core. Assuming they stack two identical grains, I'd go with the G88. By propellant color, it could also be WT or SK. Vmax doesn't have the starter pellet.

A Smokey Sam was another guess. If there wasn't such a variance in the delays (11-14 seconds) I would just fly it in my Arreaux and be happily surprised. That being said is there any way to identify the delay, I would have thought that those green and black dots have some meaning?

Also, weigh the grains. The White and White Thunder are close to 60g propellant while the Skidmark and VMax are 50 and 50.6g, respectively. I'm not sure how much weight the paper and BP pellet weight, though.

Last test is to shave a tiny sliver off the end. It shouldn't affect performance. Do a burn test to see color of flame, smoke, and presence or absence of sparks.

Grain core diameter = .437"
Nozzle throat diameter = .19"
Top grain = 32.5g
Bottom grain = 30.77

 

[djs]

Total weight doesn't match any of the ones listed on the CTI website, so I'm guessing your weight includes the BP pellet, and CTI does not.


I can tell you it's not Blue streak, as all of those grains have a blue-ish tinge to them.


Got a saucer? this would be perfect for it

 

[mpitfield]

Cesaroni G88 Smoky Sam
Cesaroni G80 Skidmark
Cesaroni G83 Blue Streak
Cesaroni G57 Classic
Cesaroni G68 White
Cesaroni G250 Vmax
Cesaroni G126 White Thunder

Most likely options so far are the 126 and the 250 based on core size?

Okay let's do this by process of elimination. Using your post as a reference and filling in additional information.

Cesaroni G88 Smokey Sam Propellant Weight 59g Delay 11 Seconds
Cesaroni G68 White Propellant Weight 59.9g Delay 13 Seconds
Cesaroni G80 Skidmark Propellant Weight 50g Delay 14 Seconds
Cesaroni G83 Blue Streak Propellant Weight 51.1g Delay 14 Seconds
Cesaroni G57 Classic Propellant Weight 51.4g Delay 12 Seconds
Cesaroni G126 White Thunder Propellant Weight 52.1g Delay 13 Seconds
Cesaroni G250 Vmax Propellant Weight 50.6g Delay 14 Seconds

If I make the assumption that the top grain is identical to the bottom, except that it has the pellet, then the only reloads that are close in total propellant weight are the G88 Smokey Sam and the G68 White. Also assuming that the Vmax does not include the pellet then that one can be removed from the list.

 

[LithosphereRocketry]

I've flown G68s, they have a much smaller core. So G88 seems like the best bet.

 

[tim cubbedge]

Have you tried contacting CTI?

 

[mpitfield]

Have you tried contacting CTI?

Nope I thought I would try to forum first.

 

[djs]

Did you ever figure this one out? If you can't come up with a name for it, I'll name it for you. Ricky. The reload's name is now Ricky.

 

[CzTeacherMan]

My money is on G88-SS... Large core with a small nozzle (compared to core) means lots of burning surface area being pressurized by the smaller nozzle... A typical feature of smoky propellants

 

[Charles_McG]

This is a picture of the other end of a spent 2G-SS nozzle.