Novice in Model Rocketry

[Hands]

Hey everyone, i'm very veryy new to Model Rocketry. I am 20 years and in my country, there is no Rocketry Club/Association. I really love model rocketry, I made a few rockets which all failed (still it was amazing tho) at the age of 14, i've finished school and i'm deciding to get back at it.

I currently own two books:

Handbook of Model Rocketry
G. Harry Stine

Topics in Advanced Model Rocketry
George J. Caporaso & William Bengen

However, since i've got no one here physically. I'm willing to learn, any advice or stories from experts that you'd be willing to share to a novice?? I'm open to suggestions!

 

[Steve Shannon]

Welcome!
May I ask which country you’re from?

 

[Hands]

Welcome!
May I ask which country you’re from?

Trinidad, thanks for the welcome!

 

[Steve Shannon]

Do you have access to any kits and rocket motors?

 

[kuririn]

Welcome to the forum.
If it's information you want, here's a link to the Apogee Peak of Flight newsletter archives. Lots of how to info:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Peak-...&m=education&zenid=2c978q2mhrtfif0gsqurod1r65
Enough to make your head explode.

 

[Hands]

Welcome to the forum.
If it's information you want, here's a link to the Apogee Peak of Flight newsletter archives. Lots of how to info:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Peak-...&m=education&zenid=2c978q2mhrtfif0gsqurod1r65
Enough to make your head explode.

Woahh, that is a HUGEEE amount of information.. thanks for the link!!

 

[kuririn]

You're welcome!

 

[Hands]

Do you have access to any kits and rocket motors?

Not here, the motors would be a challenge to get but the rocket itself isn't a big deal. I can just order one off Amazon.

It's mainly the motor i'm concerned about.
My Skybox provider has a policy about shipping flamable materials, I can get it but i'd have to get a license.

What kit would you recommend that I start off with??

 

[kuririn]

I see that Island Hobbies in Port of Spain carries R/C items. Do you know if they carry model rocket kits and motors?
Any other hobby stores in your area?
If not, you would have to order your stuff online and have it mailed to you. Don't know what your country's postal regulations are concerning model rocket motors.You would have to do your homework with the local postal regulations and Skybox. Wouldn't want to order and pay for something and have it confiscated at the point of entry. Oh, and customs/brokerage fees if any.
Newbies generally start with RTF (Ready to Fly) and E2X (Easy to Assemble) kits from Estes. Skill levels 0 and 1.
Here's a short list of online vendors of kits and motors. Their shipping calculators include Trinidad and Tobago. Doesn't necessarily mean that they ship motors there however:
AC Supply
Apogee Components
eRockets
Good luck!

 

[Hands]

I see that Island Hobbies in Port of Spain carries R/C items. Do you know if they carry model rocket kits and motors?
Any other hobby stores in your area?
If not, you would have to order your stuff online and have it mailed to you. Don't know what your country's postal regulations are concerning model rocket motors.You would have to do your homework with the local postal regulations and Skybox. Wouldn't want to order and pay for something and have it confiscated at the point of entry. Oh, and customs/brokerage fees if any.
Newbies generally start with RTF (Ready to Fly) and E2X (Easy to Assemble) kits from Estes. Skill levels 0 and 1.
Here's a short list of online vendors of kits and motors. Their shipping calculators include Trinidad and Tobago. Doesn't necessarily mean that they ship motors there however:
AC Supply
Apogee Components
eRockets
Good luck!

Most hobby stores haven't got model rockets.. mostly we call the Hobby Stores, "Toy Stores" because that's what they mostly got.. but if Push comes to shove and I gotta make it myself, i'd make the one Grant Thompson made with Sonicdad. I just got to make sure the Center of Gravity is infront of the Center of Pressure before flight. I'd conduct the swing test, i've read that it is very effective!

My Skybox service, i'd have to look up on purchasing the motors.. I will, i'll post my progress here and on YouTube as well! Looking forward to it!!!

But I have to do this for sure, ever since I was like 11 years old I wanted to get into model rocketry but there weren't any clubs or groups that I could go to, but hey... look on the bright side, I can build an establishment for other kids, it would give them something really new to do and it can give them something new to do. Thanks for the information guys! Steve & Kuririn, it was much appreciated!

 

[BABAR]

if getting standard rocket Motors is a problem, there are other options

Here is a water bottle rocket plan from NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153406main_Rockets_Water_Rocket_Construction.pdf

Before you start thinking, “water rockets aren’t real rockets,” here is a two stage water rocket

https://www.instructables.com/id/Water-Rocket-2-Stage-Mechanism/

 

[Hands]

if getting standard rocket Motors is a problem, there are other options

Here is a water bottle rocket plan from NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153406main_Rockets_Water_Rocket_Construction.pdf

Before you start thinking, “water rockets aren’t real rockets,” here is a two stage water rocket

https://www.instructables.com/id/Water-Rocket-2-Stage-Mechanism/

404 Error on the instructables link.. Water Rockets are real rockets, no doubt about it!!! But it's just not my thing tbh, thanks for the suggestion tho. I'd find some way to make a motor if I gotta.. 3D Print one or make a cardboard tube. Something would workout, i'd start with A-Class motors then move up slowly.

 

[BABAR]

To be blunt making your own black powder motors has a high probability of changing your TRF handle from

Hands
To
Stubs

First three rules of model rocketry are

Safety

Safety

And

Safety.

Nobody should ever consider making their own motors until they have extensive experience with commercial motors. Even then risk is high.

 

[Bat-mite]

If you are successful in the hobby, AND SAFE, other people will want to do it, too, and maybe a club will form. You will be "the guy" who started rocketry as a hobby in Trinidad. But if you blow yourself up trying to make motors, rocketry will get outlawed, and that's the end of that.

My sixth grade teacher was from Trinidad and was a very kind and loving lady. I wish you well!

 

[Hands]

To be blunt making your own black powder motors has a high probability of changing your TRF handle from

Hands
To
Stubs

First three rules of model rocketry are

Safety

Safety

And

Safety.

Nobody should ever consider making their own motors until they have extensive experience with commercial motors. Even then risk is high.

I really wish commercial motors were available for me but the people at my Skybox services really really like me, maybe they can hook me up.. if not i'd have to get a license.. cause it is illegal to own black powder in my country from what I know.. But i've read the book by G. Harry Stine. He mentioned the same thing, i'll try my best..

If it doesn't workout, maybe I can come to the USA.. I got alot of family there in New York, Kentucky, Florida and a few other places.. which is the best state for model rocketry btw?? I'm thinking Utah or Texas.

 

[Hands]

If you are successful in the hobby, AND SAFE, other people will want to do it, too, and maybe a club will form. You will be "the guy" who started rocketry as a hobby in Trinidad. But if you blow yourself up trying to make motors, rocketry will get outlawed, and that's the end of that.

My sixth grade teacher was from Trinidad and was a very kind and loving lady. I wish you well!

I agree, I don't want to be "that guy" who blows himself up for sure!

 

[BABAR]

Anybody know any other good methods of rocket propulsion aside from black powder and water rockets?

 

[Bat-mite]

Diet Coke and Mentos?

 

[Hands]

Hahahah!! That could actually work Bat-mite

 

[BABAR]

Diet Coke and Mentos?

Actually I have seen it work.

 

[dhbarr]

Diet Coke and Mentos?

Actually I have seen it work.

Sprite & Alka Seltzer

 

[dr wogz]

Anybody know any other good methods of rocket propulsion aside from black powder and water rockets?

an elastic band.

A friend had an old 'aerodynamics' science kits with a bunch of experiments. one was an elastic band rocket:

A hook on the side of the rocket, hooked onto the rocket, then pulled back like arming a sling-shot. then let go! The chute deployed somewhat at apogee. a rear side-section of the rocket was cut away and hinged. An elastic was run from the fin attached to this 'door' to the nosecone. it wasn't super taught, just enough to open the rear door enough to allow the chute to deploy. the speed & airstream kept it closed for most of the ascent.

 

[Hands]

Sprite & Alka Seltzer

Sprite and cough syrup! Lol

 

[Hands]

an elastic band.

A friend had an old 'aerodynamics' science kits with a bunch of experiments. one was an elastic band rocket:

A hook on the side of the rocket, hooked onto the rocket, then pulled back like arming a sling-shot. then let go! The chute deployed somewhat at apogee. a rear side-section of the rocket was cut away and hinged. An elastic was run from the fin attached to this 'door' to the nosecone. it wasn't super taught, just enough to open the rear door enough to allow the chute to deploy. the speed & airstream kept it closed for most of the ascent.

Not through Potential Energy tho, more like Chemical Energy..

 

[jnobels]

People are doing interesting things with gimballed ducted fan motors. These are really just IMU stabilized rocket-looking tubular single rotor aircraft flying mostly vertically and not “rockets”. This is expert level custom built RC stuff of course but requires no material the ATF cares about.

 

[beeblebrox]

Bread crumbs work well in a water rocket(instead of water) you get a "Smoke" trail and it doesn't make everything wet. The videos were cool.

see: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...a-its-not-what-you-think.150778/#post-1857293

 

[Ez2cDave]

Anybody know any other good methods of rocket propulsion aside from black powder and water rockets?

APCP composite motors

RCandy motors

 

[Ez2cDave]

Topics in Advanced Model Rocketry
George J. Caporaso & William Bengen

Would you like to sell that book ?

Dave F.

 

[Hands]

Would you like to sell that book ?

Dave F.

I've still got to read it, sorry about that mate!

 

[Hands]

APCP composite motors

RCandy motors

It's funny how I can actually make the APCP propellant, just not with HTPB binding agent as I don't got access to it but there are other things I can use as a binding agent which works really good!!

But that is like WAYYYYYYYY too powerful of a fuel, especially for a beginner like myself.