What did you do rocket wise today?

Onebadhawk
eggtimer rocketry
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caheaton said:
A busy day for me today, but a decent one. Winds about 4 mph gusting to maybe 7 at times temperature a balmy 77 degrees with full sun....not bad for November!

Today I decided to launch from the spillway at East Fork State Park (about 10 minutes from home). First up as a way to check the winds was my Custom Screamer (the one with the warped fins) on a B6-4. Flight was surprising straight and nice....I guess the spin imparted by the fins can be a good thing ;). Unfortunately the shroud lines tangled so the chute didn't deploy. No damage to rocket so all is good.

Next up was the LOC Cool Spool on a G71-4R. I had a devil of a time getting this one to go. I initially had continuity, but no launch. After that nada. I finally ended up removing the stupid copperhead ignitor and replacing it with a first fire. That worked splendidly, though the engine chuffed for a moment before taking off. Not sure if that was due to the age of the motor (it's maybe 12 years old) or if the ignitor wasn't correctly seated. Sadly, the shock cord broke on ejection but no damage to the spool and the parachute was recovered as well. Should be easy to repair.

Next up was another launch of the Custom Screamer with the B6-4. Another straight flight with proper chute deployment.

Next launch I decided to go ahead and fly the digital Astrocam using the Tigres as the booster. This rocket works well with the camera and the bright orange color makes finding the rocket in the tallish weeds easier :). First launch was with the B6-4, followed by another with a C6-5. The C6-5 flight landed near the (short) edge of the field but landed safely. Both launches had correct deployment of the 12" plastic chute, though deployment came just a touch early. An extra second of delay would have been ideal.

Final launch of the day was the Estes Big Daddy. I'd hope to send this up on a D9-4 but alas the copperhead gave me the same troubles as with the spool. I swapped it for a firstfire, but either the propellent was reluctant to light or I'd inserted the ignitor too deep (the masking tape across the end of the grain wasn't sticking very well). The ignitor ignited but failed to ignite the propellant grain. So, that motor will have to wait for another day. I swapped the the D9 for a D12-5 for a perfect flight.

Attached is a link to the video of the Astrocam launches. There is one small error....at the end I said the stills are from the C6 launch, they are except for the first...it's the B6 launch. I didn't feel like redoing it to correct that minor error :rolleyes:.

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/gnca50bQRiSuzVyPXo3HPw.POStKEbqCqIuyoUTOv_lFe

Almost forgot....I also applied primer to the Custom Aztec and Fiesta builds.
Click to expand...
Your Astro Cam took great aerial still shots and videos. The B6-4 flight sounded just like the one I put in My 18mm Patriot the other day. Nice flying you did. The C motors pack a good punch. Here is my Patriot launch. Its a short launch. If I angled the launch rod a little higher it would have missed the tree.
View attachment Patriot hung up 1112020.mp4
 
Since the weather is to bad paint, continue working on Apogee Diamondback prep for paint and sanded the fins for an Estes Hi-Flyer XL.
 
arconhi said:
Here is my tree eater Patriot Launch.
View attachment 437746
Click to expand...
Thanks for the like.
:)
neil_w said:
That is a... um... "non-traditional" launch site.
Click to expand...
You are correct. Many trees with little yard. Got lucky. Lost 2 birds out of 30 launches. However we now have permission to fly on a big field that is wide open with no trees.:dancingelephant::welcome:😁😸. Will fly some E and F birds. Yeah!!!!!! I have to get some G motors .:headspinning:🙂
 
After looking at my recently completed Maverick resto. I decided that I didn't care for the lettering I chose for the name. I wanted something different than stock but wasn't happy with my first choice so I peeled it and replaced it with with something a bit more blocky.

Pic 1 - The before.

Pic 2 - After
 

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  • Maverick 2.jpg
    Maverick 2.jpg
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Yesterday got the forward fins on the starlight 38XL. Got the first set of fillets on this morning. Was my first use of fondant tools to make the fillets pretty...and boy they are superior. Well worth the 8 dollar investment. Highly recommend anyone using their finger to smooth fillets spend 8 bucks on Amazon. 24816DE0-FC36-435E-88BD-4FC3FD6370FB.jpegDF777054-447A-475B-8551-5C6B19D8D968.jpeg
 
I did West 105/205 with 406 colloidal silica fillets for the first time.
I'm a 4500 fanboy, but wanted something on these huge fins that was a little lighter!

2 pumps + 4 tablespoons was easily enough to do 25 linear inches of .65 inch radius fillets.

I'll see in about 8 hours just how smooth it turned out. I'm used to 4500 being a 'zero sanding required' standard for me. Either way, it's getting painted.
16050409547768136265331569968551.jpg
 
Last edited:
Made parachutes. Ok parasheets, whatever.

I've never done this before. Bought a yard of ripstop online for $10. Half of which was shipping. I have 4 parachutes in some stage of construction, with one being completed. Margaret (SWMBO) is pitching in. She doesn't have much interest in rocketry, but she is willing to sew the shroud lines on. She is not enthusiastic about sewing the hem. She claims it will not unravel because it is ripstop. We shall see.

The completed one weights 9 grams as opposed to 7 for the plastic Estes counterpart. I expect it to be much stronger and more durable.

20201110_151401.jpg
 
Joekeyo said:
Made parachutes. Ok parasheets, whatever.

I've never done this before. Bought a yard of ripstop online for $10. Half of which was shipping. I have 4 parachutes in some stage of construction, with one being completed. Margaret (SWMBO) is pitching in. She doesn't have much interest in rocketry, but she is willing to sew the shroud lines on. She is not enthusiastic about sewing the hem. She claims it will not unravel because it is ripstop. We shall see.

The completed one weights 9 grams as opposed to 7 for the plastic Estes counterpart. I expect it to be much stronger and more durable.

View attachment 437894
Click to expand...
If you hot knife cut it, or use a soldering iron, it will heat seal it at the same time and not unravel. A simple folded hem will also keep it from unraveling. Remember, 8-10 stitches per inch is recommended to prevent a zipper.

Enjoy!
 
I wrapped up the paint on my Darkstar Jr. I need to print some CP/CG labels once some clear waterslide decal paper arrives and apply the vinyl I have from Stickershock. Still planning on a L1 flight this weekend single deploy with the booster only.

DSJR09.jpg
 
Last edited:
caheaton said:
A busy day for me today, but a decent one. Winds about 4 mph gusting to maybe 7 at times temperature a balmy 77 degrees with full sun....not bad for November!

Today I decided to launch from the spillway at East Fork State Park (about 10 minutes from home). First up as a way to check the winds was my Custom Screamer (the one with the warped fins) on a B6-4. Flight was surprising straight and nice....I guess the spin imparted by the fins can be a good thing ;). Unfortunately the shroud lines tangled so the chute didn't deploy. No damage to rocket so all is good.

Next up was the LOC Cool Spool on a G71-4R. I had a devil of a time getting this one to go. I initially had continuity, but no launch. After that nada. I finally ended up removing the stupid copperhead ignitor and replacing it with a first fire. That worked splendidly, though the engine chuffed for a moment before taking off. Not sure if that was due to the age of the motor (it's maybe 12 years old) or if the ignitor wasn't correctly seated. Sadly, the shock cord broke on ejection but no damage to the spool and the parachute was recovered as well. Should be easy to repair.

Next up was another launch of the Custom Screamer with the B6-4. Another straight flight with proper chute deployment.

Next launch I decided to go ahead and fly the digital Astrocam using the Tigres as the booster. This rocket works well with the camera and the bright orange color makes finding the rocket in the tallish weeds easier :). First launch was with the B6-4, followed by another with a C6-5. The C6-5 flight landed near the (short) edge of the field but landed safely. Both launches had correct deployment of the 12" plastic chute, though deployment came just a touch early. An extra second of delay would have been ideal.

Final launch of the day was the Estes Big Daddy. I'd hope to send this up on a D9-4 but alas the copperhead gave me the same troubles as with the spool. I swapped it for a firstfire, but either the propellent was reluctant to light or I'd inserted the ignitor too deep (the masking tape across the end of the grain wasn't sticking very well). The ignitor ignited but failed to ignite the propellant grain. So, that motor will have to wait for another day. I swapped the the D9 for a D12-5 for a perfect flight.

Attached is a link to the video of the Astrocam launches. There is one small error....at the end I said the stills are from the C6 launch, they are except for the first...it's the B6 launch. I didn't feel like redoing it to correct that minor error :rolleyes:.

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/gnca50bQRiSuzVyPXo3HPw.POStKEbqCqIuyoUTOv_lFe

Almost forgot....I also applied primer to the Custom Aztec and Fiesta builds.
Click to expand...
It sounds like a small prop plane is flying by the airfield. LOL
 
Picked up some 1" letters and six B6-4's at Hobby lobby yesterday. Named my Nike Smoke and added it to the rocket:
2020-11-11 Smokin Nike.jpg

Looks like the next few days will be good for painting, so this rocket and my Viper 3 clone are ready for clearcoat, might get color on the Frenzy XL and the Darkstar Jr. this weekend. Not sure how Tommy 2.5 will end up, it's having issues with wrinkles....
 
Big Red Rocketeer said:
Got the other stripes on the V-2. Have some touch up to do but it's mostly done. Probably the most challenging paint job I've ever done. I like the look though. Definitely worth the effort. :)

View attachment 437720
Click to expand...
Great job looks awesome
Classic V2 big fan of those
D12-5 I found is a great choice for the classic v2
 

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