Updates...

[BABAR]

Nice work.
How many multistage have you flown? I like the design of the SuperNova. Not so much the colors scheme, especially a dull color for a small booster. May be hard to see. Consider putting some colored Mylar tape or other flashy decals on the booster. Recommend B6-0 on booster, and smallest motor you can find for sustainer. 1/2 A , A8-3 (Or A8-5 if you can get it.)

Have a dedicated watcher for each section.

Looking forward to your next episode!

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Only the Mini Comanche-2 I recently built. I haven't built a payload rocket since 1978. I have questions like how many cockroaches do I need to pack in there to make the rocket stable?

I had this weird thing happen when gluing the BT on the baffle coupler. One side dried quickly but the other side took overnight for it to dry. I pulled it off after an hour and the glue dried quickly so I sanded it down and reapplied the glue. It didn't finally set until the next day. There's no difference between the two sides of the coupler so not sure why one side took longer to dry.

 

[kuririn]

Isn't it supposed to be the Mini Comanche 3?
(i.e. go for it).
I've flown the 3 at Sandy's.
Just make sure the staging couplers are not too tight.
All three motors ignited but the second stage did not separate from the third and the insides got toasted.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

I didn't bother cloning the middle stage.



Friday morning looks favorable.

Maybe I can find a nasty centipede to stick in the payload...

 

[BABAR]

So if I timed it right on your Comanche 2, the sustainer on a small streamer took 15 seconds to hit the ground post deployment. The SuperNova has a chute recovery (not that you couldn’t replace it with a streamer or put a big spill hole in the chute) but you can see how altitude is not your friend when trying to recover a multistage.

I was thinking stick a camera on the forward end of the sustainer just behind the nose cone, weight makes it more stable, also means less altitude because of weight and drag. But if it weathercocks you might lose not only the rocket but the camera too. Maybe something for a dead calm day.....

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

So if I timed it right on your Comanche 2, the sustainer on a small streamer took 15 seconds to hit the ground post deployment. The SuperNova has a chute recovery (not that you couldn’t replace it with a streamer or put a big spill hole in the chute) but you can see how altitude is not your friend when trying to recover a multistage.

I was thinking stick a camera on the forward end of the sustainer just behind the nose cone, weight makes it more stable, also means less altitude because of weight and drag. But if it weathercocks you might lose not only the rocket but the camera too. Maybe something for a dead calm day.....

I'm hoping to put an insectronaut into the payload. Maybe I'll find a fat, juicy centipede under a rock in the backyard. Unfortunately, the 25mm tube doesn't fit the SQ11 camera unless I cut it open. I'll add 8oz of clay to the NC just to be sure.

I usually cut out the circle on most of my chutes. Tomorrow morning should be really good. I prefer launching in the evening because of the lighting but the gusts have continued until dusk lately. However, I only have an A10-0T adapter which may get the rocket off the rod so will wait until I get the B6-0 you suggested. Actually, I decided to launch it as a single stage tomorrow after I find a space helmet small enough to fit a centipede. I have plenty of A8-3 to use.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

I decided to go with a more dramatic title.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Our voluntold insectronaut is undergoing intensive isolation training, subsisting on candy corn and water. Hopefully it will fit in the capsule.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

My Estes Exocet clone. Not sure what I’ll do with the decals since the original is white on black.

 

[kuririn]

Print on white decal paper with a surrounding black background.
Here's my mini:

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Thanks. Another problem that just came up is that my inkjet printer died again. I fixed it before but it's 8 years old and wearing out. I have a laserjet printer.

 

[kuririn]

Use decal paper for laser printers.
It's made to withstand the higher temperatures inside the printer.

 

[kuririn]

Another benefit is no clear coat needed.

 

[neil_w]

Downside: less rich color. Definitely less effort, though.

To re-emphasize, though, make sure to use laser decal paper in your laser printer.

 

[kuririn]

Calm winds forecast for Thurs. and Fri.
Heavy rain possibly coming in Sat. afternoon.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Already went out this morning but have to return to the park. After reviewing the video, I realize I left some rocket parks behind (or rather my son did).

 

[kuririn]

Ooh, more video!

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Always...

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

A light wind but warm October morning. Launched ten rockets today. The GoPro8 has been overheating. I put the original 32gb SD card back into the camera and put the 64gb SD into the GoPro3. I also put a piece of aluminum foil under the battery cover to act as a heatsink. My son also put his fries box over the back to keep it out of the sun. It didn't overheat but the battery ran out so swapped it with the 2nd battery. I think GoPro has known this issue with the 8 so they included an approved SD card and a spare battery with the kit. Poor engineering if you ask me...

We had captured a cockroach to be a designated insectronaut but couldn't get the little bugger into the tube so just used a plastic paratrooper. The nose cone separated, maybe because I forgot to attach the shock cord, maybe.

The Crossfire probably went 700ft with the C6-7. With the Mercury Redstone, the paratrooper tangled with the parachute so it landed hard. I didn't notice until I viewed the video that we left two fins and the tip of the escape tower behind so had to back and get them.

I was hoping that the FOB camera would show more of the rocket but angles away too much. The video for the Mars Longship was corrupted and ended when the launch started. This has happened before with the third video so perhaps the battery runs out.

I switched to the SQ11 camera with the Goblin and Bull Pup except using the mount that it came with. It seemed to work well with the Goblin (albeit a little wobbly) but went into cruise missile mode with the Bull Pup. I think when the chute popped, the camera flew off and probably landed on the apartment roof. I didn't care about the camera but wanted it back for the Goblin video.

Apparently, the Bull Pup landed on the highway and a bystander went to retrieve it before it was run over so much appreciation for that because I was able to get the altimeter back.

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:19 Vortico
01:08 Exocet (new)
02:12 Supernova 2-stage
03:33 Crossfire ISX
04:36 Green Vortex 297ft
05:49 Mercury Redstone 406ft
07:11 Flight video
07:51 LEO
08:58 Flight video
09:19 Mars Longship
10:15 Goblin 439 ft
11:29 Bull Pup XL 243ft

 

[kuririn]

Exciting flights, especially the Bullpup.
Glad you got it back.

 

[BABAR]

Looks like fun was had, so successful missions!

Good motor choice for the SuperNova, looks like you found the detached nose cone. Would have been a challenge had you had any more propellant than you had. Maybe a good thing the live payload got deferred on that mission!

 

[jrap330]

Nice, I am surprise LEO and Mars Longshot are so stable. Surprise at altitude on Mercury Redstone w/camera. Now the big question., I never seen anyone at park when you make these videos...do you get there real early in AM?

 

[neil_w]

Nice, I am surprise LEO and Mars Longshot are so stable.

Ring fins are awesome.

If I were building a dedicated camera carrier it would be very tempting to put a ring fin on it... except it would partially obscure the view from the camera.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Looks like fun was had, so successful missions!

Good motor choice for the SuperNova, looks like you found the detached nose cone. Would have been a challenge had you had any more propellant than you had. Maybe a good thing the live payload got deferred on that mission!

That's what I was thinking about the insectronaut. OTOH, it does has a tough exoskeleton so probably would be fine, probably.

The GV had an interesting situation. One of the fin tubes almost broke off (saved by layers of primer and paint) so musta collided with the NC. True authentic battle damage...

Exciting flights, especially the Bullpup.
Glad you got it back.

I wonder how many drivers had to avoid it on Farrington. At least it didn't land on the light rail. The trains have been moving between stations lately.

Nice, I am surprise LEO and Mars Longshot are so stable. Surprise at altitude on Mercury Redstone w/camera. Now the big question., I never seen anyone at park when you make these videos...do you get there real early in AM?

We usually get there at 8:30 am. For some reason, the park attendees stay to the sides of the park and watch. I prefer the launches at dusk but the wind gusts have been continuing until after sunset. That's how I lost the Bull Pup 12D and my Nike-R build. I agree about the MR. It looked more like 250ft to me. I put 4 holes in the BT. The other altimeter readings seem accurate.

Ring fins are awesome.

If I were building a dedicated camera carrier it would be very tempting to put a ring fin on it... except it would partially obscure the view from the camera.

With the FOB camera, it angles up a bit, so not much to see of the MLS ring. Here's a capture of the video that survived. Now that I've lost the SQ11, I was thinking I could put it on sideways so I could see more of the rocket. Time to scour Ebay... Nevermind, it's $13 on Amazon Prime. I also bought a bunch of SD cards so I can swap them out after each launch.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

My Astron Gyroc clone to replace the lost Tazz. I’m gonna forgo the MM tabs for now. I found the Tazz to be more stable going up without them. Maybe I’ll put them on later.

I find yellow to be very difficult. It tends to splatter a lot. I used pink underneath. Not sure if that helped at all.



I'm trying out a new video editor that can upload 60fps to YouTube. It looks like it an improvement on the quality over 30fps.

 

[BABAR]

My Astron Gyroc clone to replace the lost Tazz. I’m gonna forgo the MM tabs for now. I found the Tazz to be more stable going up without them. Maybe I’ll put them on later.

I find yellow to be very difficult. It tends to splatter a lot. I used pink underneath. Not sure if that helped at all.

View attachment 435270

I'm trying out a new video editor that can upload 60fps to YouTube. It looks like it an improvement on the quality over 30fps.

That’s a nice yellow. Der Micromeister, (May have been before your time on the forum) was a professional sign painter and a master of many areas of Rocketry building, although his passion was micromaxx. All of his models (except the competition birds) were finished, I think the expression is , “to the nines.” Anyhoo, he said yellow was the hardest color to get right. Yours looks great!

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

That’s a nice yellow. Der Micromeister, (May have been before your time on the forum) was a professional sign painter and a master of many areas of Rocketry building, although his passion was micromaxx. All of his models (except the competition birds) were finished, I think the expression is , “to the nines.” Anyhoo, he said yellow was the hardest color to get right. Yours looks great!

Thanks. It's a little mottled up close. Hopefully, the floor gloss will smooth it out. I think the trick is to get a good stream going then cover the rocket nonstop.

I thought I ordered Laserjet decal sheets but was Inkjet instead so back to Amazon. The new decal sheets should arrive next week.

It looks like "to the nines" is from an old Scottish poem. I do know that the whole nine yards refers to when the Spitfire pilots would return and have to account for unspent ammo. When asked how much ammo did the pilots use, they replied "the whole nine yards".

 

[BABAR]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_the_nines
My wife uses the term to describe when a women is dressed up for a very formal party.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

This time, we launched a cricket/locust in the Supernova. Afterwards, we let him go in the park where he's living out his retirement, assuming he doesn't get eaten by a bird. I'm still hoping to launch a poisonous centipede. Those things are nasty.

I replaced the 4xAA battery pack in the DIY Launcher with 2x9v. I only had one misfire with the starter igniting. We had an interested bystanding join us which is very rare. He seemed to be both amazed and puzzled why two grown men were in the park launching rockets.

I decided to try a new video editor. The free Microsoft version can only do 30fps, so tried a new program, Crazy Video Maker 2 that can do up to 4k and 120fps. Unlike the Microsoft program, the new software can only do /6 instead of /8, not a big difference but noticeable. I increased the iPhone video capture to 4k/60. It took 6 hours to download the videos to my computer. The software worked okay, only crashing once. Fortunately, I didn't lose anything but took 15 minutes for the video to show up.

Another technicality in filming in 4k is that the zoom feature is a sliding scale instead of a simple button. That's fine indoors but outside in the daylight while looking up, it's darn difficult. I don't think I'll try 4k capturing again and just stick with 1080p/60.

I used the replacement SQ11 camera on the Falcon 9 so it can see the side of the rocket. If I don't want to see the rocket, I'll use the FOB camera. The SQ11 video quality is better than the FOB, but the buttons are very sensitive and is easily turned off like it did with the LEO. The battery then failed so couldn't use it again for the other rockets. One advantage for the SQ11 over the FOB is that the audio syncs in the editor.

The weather forecast said it would start raining at 11am. We left at 10am because the park lawn mower was starting to circle us like a shark. As we were driving out of the parking lot, the skies opened up so good timing. The video doesn't do justice to how the Protostar looked going up. It kinda looked like the probe rocket from Wall'e taking off.

Timeline:
00:06 ASM
00:55 Gyroc
01:25 Insectronaut
01:47 Supernova
03:41 Exocet
05:08 Hi-flier L 657ft
06:20 Falcon 9
06:47 Flight video
07:32 LEO
08:15 Protostar

 

[o1d_dude]

This time, we launched a cricket/locust in the Supernova. Afterwards, we let him go in the park where he's living out his retirement, assuming he doesn't get eaten by a bird. I'm still hoping to launch a poisonous centipede. Those things are nasty.

I replaced the 4xAA battery pack in the DIY Launcher with 2x9v. I only had one misfire with the starter igniting. We had an interested bystanding join us which is very rare. He seemed to be both amazed and puzzled why two grown men were in the park launching rockets.

I decided to try a new video editor. The free Microsoft version can only do 30fps, so tried a new program, Crazy Video Maker 2 that can do up to 4k and 120fps. Unlike the Microsoft program, the new software can only do /6 instead of /8, not a big difference but noticeable. I increased the iPhone video capture to 4k/60. It took 6 hours to download the videos to my computer. The software worked okay, only crashing once. Fortunately, I didn't lose anything but took 15 minutes for the video to show up.

Another technicality in filming in 4k is that the zoom feature is a sliding scale instead of a simple button. That's fine indoors but outside in the daylight while looking up, it's darn difficult. I don't think I'll try 4k capturing again and just stick with 1080p/60.

I used the replacement SQ11 camera on the Falcon 9 so it can see the side of the rocket. If I don't want to see the rocket, I'll use the FOB camera. The SQ11 video quality is better than the FOB, but the buttons are very sensitive and is easily turned off like it did with the LEO. The battery then failed so couldn't use it again for the other rockets. One advantage for the SQ11 over the FOB is that the audio syncs in the editor.

The weather forecast said it would start raining at 11am. We left at 10am because the park lawn mower was starting to circle us like a shark. As we were driving out of the parking lot, the skies opened up so good timing. The video doesn't do justice to how the Protostar looked going up. It kinda looked like the probe rocket from Wall'e taking off.

Timeline:
00:06 ASM
00:55 Gyproc
01:25 Insectronaut
01:47 Supernova
03:41 Exocet
05:08 Hi-flier L 657ft
06:20 Falcon 9
06:47 Flight video
07:32 LEO
08:15 Protostar

Will we celebrate Hoppy’s Night every year going forward?