Has anyone noticed high variability on the visuals of Skidmark motors?

[Kosmo]

I've used these a lot and have had fun with them. But I've noticed there seems to be high variability on the visual effect from these motors. Not only on my own launches but observing others at our club launch.
Sometimes there is dark black smoke with loud cracks and bright sparks (very fun) and sometimes it's almost just grey smoke with no noticeable sparks or crackles at all.
Does it depend on the size of the motor? Maybe the heavier rockets put on a better show because they lift off more slowly?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

L1 Cert

 

[DavidMcCann]

It has to do with the position and strength of the sunlight, time of day, etc.

The crackles I've noticed seem to depend on motor size, and of course the slow lift offs are more spectacular.

 

[jimzcatz]

If you put any sparkie in a minimum diameter rocket, or anything that's goes really really fast you have just wasted a perfectly good rocket motor in my opinion. Fat and heavy is what screams sparkie. That being said,, there are definitely different formulas for skids. Effect depends mainly on the size of titanium used. You won't get any pops and crackles out of a Mach one sparkie.

 

[mpitfield]

If you put any sparkie in a minimum diameter rocket, or anything that's goes really really fast you have just wasted a perfectly good rocket motor in my opinion. Fat and heavy is what screams sparkie. That being said,, there are definitely different formulas for skids. Effect depends mainly on the size of titanium used. You won't get and pops and crackles out of a Mach one sparkie.

Except there's this

 

[captbk]

Loki's Spitfires are the best sparkies.

 

[markkoelsch]

I think the variability has largely to do with having a non uniform distribution of titanium chunks in the propellant.

Also, other variable in terms of propellant chemistry. Aerotech also has two sparky formulas- metal storm and dark matter.

For the record, Animal Motor Works made the best sparkies.

Currently, I think the best sparky is made by Preston Nobile.

 

[jd2cylman]

Loki's Spitfires are the best sparkies.

Well... They're good, no doubt, for commercially available motors.

I think the variability has largely to do with having a non uniform distribution of titanium chunks in the propellant.

Also, other variable in terms of propellant chemistry. Aerotech also has two sparky formulas- metal storm and dark matter.

For the record, Animal Motor Works made the best sparkies.

Currently, I think the best sparky is made by Preston Nobile.

My vote is for Preston's above all others. If you have the opportunity, do not miss his flights. His 98mm sparky will shake your bones.

 

[GRIFFIN]

Preston makes the best sparky.......period.

 

[pnobile]

And there will be many of them flown at Midwest Power this year!

I may be looking for some volunteers to fly some sparkies at Midwest Power as well....possibly the start of something new to add to the rocketry market.

Preston

 

[markkoelsch]

And there will be many of them flown at Midwest Power this year!

I may be looking for some volunteers to fly some sparkies at Midwest Power as well....possibly the start of something new to add to the rocketry market.

Preston

Preston, what motor sizes and approximate thrust?

 

[pnobile]

Preston, what motor sizes and approximate thrust?

Mark, I'm at work, but I'll check my notes when I get home to see what I got.

Preston

 

[mpitfield]

Mark, I'm at work, but I'll check my notes when I get home to see what I got.

Preston

What hardware are they compatible with?

 

[GRIFFIN]

Typically AMW hardware is what Preston uses.

 

[pnobile]

What hardware are they compatible with?

I usually use AMW 38mm thru 98mm, but I also use Loki, Gorilla, Kosdon, and Tru-Core, and AG71 hardware as well.

But, if things work out right, I'll have to settle on one design of hardware!

Preston

 

[mpitfield]

I usually use AMW 38mm thru 98mm, but I also use Loki, Gorilla, Kosdon, and Tru-Core, and AG71 hardware as well.

But, if things work out right, I'll have to settle on one design of hardware!

Preston

This sounds very interesting, I am looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[jimzcatz]

Preston makes the best sparky.......period.

Without a doubt. He has even let me name his sparkie propellant, which henceforth shall be known as "Dragonfyre". I have alot of this in my box. Might be convinced to bring some to MWP.

 

[jimzcatz]

Except there's this

A waste of a perfectly good motor.

 

[mpitfield]

A waste of a perfectly good motor.

My bad, I will make sure the next time I make a motor choice I will hit you up for your approval.

 

[jimzcatz]

That would be so kewl. thanks alot!

 

[rharshberger]

After the recent SodBlaster Sparky Challenge event, the most I can say about sparkies is the bigger the motor the better the show. Smaller motors like G's and H's had very little spark IMO and tended to be erratic in when during the flight the biggest burst of sparks appeared, so were at the pad some several hundred feet up. The bigger motors J-L the sparkies were fairly consistent on sparkage. Obviously the larger motors are going to be more impressive as they burn more propellant mass, and moderate lift off speeds produced some of the best show (see Kris Hull's SodBlaster 2018 photos in the SodBlaster thread). We had many J, K, and L sparkies flown that weekend. Also IMO the the smaller motors in the G-H and possibly I's, my preference would be to fly Smokey Sams, Fast Jacks or Black Jacks instead of a mediocre display of sparky.

 

[Dwatkins]

But then it’s only an H [emoji57]

 

[Kosmo]

Thanks for responses. Any videos of these preston nobile beauties?

 

[jimzcatz]

14' 85lb Starleopard. M2000ish Dragonfyre 75/7600. About 2600'. Perfect for me and the field. First video courtesy Thomas Knight. Second courtesy Tom Binford.

Edit. Both videos are the same flight from Freedom Launch 2017.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

AMW and CTI both have 2 different skid propellants. An example, in AMW was the 3 grain J230 vs the 5 grain K555. Using 3 K555 grains in the 1050 case did not give a J230. (I found out when the J230s I purchased for the Deuce did not perform as expected. I found out later that he had used K555 grains.) Aer otech dark matter is like the slow skid.

 

[jimzcatz]

I tell you what, the G69 CTI skid is a mighty loud motor for a single grain 38! I put them in saucers in my backyard and wake up the dead!

 

[OverTheTop]

I tried one once. Was OK, but I am not really into them. They do seem to please the crowd though

M1770


They are not allowed at our local field because of the fire risk for the farm anyway. No, that is not cognitive dissonance talking either .

 

[markkoelsch]

AMW and CTI both have 2 different skid propellants. An example, in AMW was the 3 grain J230 vs the 5 grain K555. Using 3 K555 grains in the 1050 case did not give a J230. (I found out when the J230s I purchased for the Deuce did not perform as expected. I found out later that he had used K555 grains.) Aer otech dark matter is like the slow skid.

Just to clarify for the people who have not been around a long time. AMW does not make motors any more as far as I know. I believe that stopped when Paul passed away. CTI makes reloads for some of the AMW snap ring hardware though.

 

[grouch]

I've always been impressed with the CTI G80. In a short stubby rocket, the sound and visuals were always a treat. Good small North East field motor. Fun for the kiddies too.

 

[mpitfield]

I've always been impressed with the CTI G80. In a short stubby rocket, the sound and visuals were always a treat. Good small North East field motor. Fun for the kiddies too.

That and it's bigger brother, the G106. Great motors for my 54mm BlackFly.

 

[rfjustin]

Preston 54/2550 at 8:42 and 75/6000 at 19:00