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Wrangorocket

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If I remember correctly, it was '72 when my Dad bought me my first rocket. Alpha or Alpha III, I don't remember. Later I bought a little rocket that had no parachute or streamer, it had a hole punched in the side and really thick "fins". It would tumble down to the ground and the extra thick "fins" would stay intact. I was always worried about it surviving every time I launched it.

Yesterday I bought my Grandson his first rocket. I got him a Taser Twin. Maybe a little too much for an 8yo but Gramps wants in on the action too. :roll:

So, my question is this: Being a two stage rocket I assume after the first stage completes and the engine "backfires" to start the 2nd. stage does the 1st. stage tube and fins simply tumble to the ground? My concern is that the fins are so thin and light that they will break upon landing.:y: I'm hoping the 1st. stage engine falls out. Is that what happens?
 
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Hey Welcome! Glad to have you onboard, and hope that we'll see you chiming in as much as you want.

I could give you a good narrative, but a good resource (with pictures is here) on how this all works is here:

Multi-stage ignition/operations

Again, welcome!
 
If you do things right the first stage motor should not fall out. Keep in mind that after the propellant burns the motor will be lighter. The fisrt stage will just tumble to the ground. It should be OK as long as it lands on soft ground. Rockets that land on pavement or other hard surfaces tend to get beat up no matter what recovery system you use.

If you think the fins need strengthening you can do several things. One is to coat the fin with super glue. Personally, I don't like this method, but many people do. Another thing you can do is cover the fins with paper. This can be tricky, but if done correctly works well and adds little weight for the strength you gain.
 
The Taser Twin has a ring at the bottom of the booster stage to prevent the booster motor casing rom blowing out the back end at upper stage ignition. This ensures that the entire booster stage pops off. It will indeed tumble very very nicely as it is very well designed. You should still do the usual things to prevent breakage of fins: finish the rocket by filling the wood with a wood filler and snading smooth and then painting. - and try not to launch over rocky or concrete landing areas.

Please read the "Classic Collection" - link located in the sticky thread. it explains all about multi-staging and how the motors ignite at staging.

If I remember correctly, it was '72 when my Dad bought me my first rocket. Alpha or Alpha III, I don't remember. Later I bought a little rocket that had no parachute or streamer, it had a hole punched in the side and really thick "fins". It would tumble down to the ground and the extra thick "fins" would stay intact. I was always worried about it surviving every time I launched it.

Yesterday I bought my Grandson his first rocket. I got him a Taser Twin. Maybe a little too much for an 8yo but Gramps wants in on the action too. :roll:

So, my question is this: Being a two stage rocket I assume after the first stage completes and the engine "backfires" to start the 2nd. stage does the 1st. stage tube and fins simply tumble to the ground? My concern is that the fins are so thin and light that they will break upon landing.:y: I'm hoping the 1st. stage engine falls out. Is that what happens?
 
Well, you've answered my questions quite concisely. ga1ba2, that Golden Scout is close but not quite. The only reason I mention that is because the one I had was very rudimentary. It was a tube that held an A motor but the "fins" were about a 1/4" thick and simply had 45*(?) angles cut on both ends. I remember putting some sort of reinforcing on the area where the fins connected to the tube. It had one hole abut 2/3 of the way to the top. Very sturdy and fugly too. LOL! I think I got bored with it 'cuz I couldn't break it!:D
 
Well, you've answered my questions quite concisely. ga1ba2, that Golden Scout is close but not quite. The only reason I mention that is because the one I had was very rudimentary. It was a tube that held an A motor but the "fins" were about a 1/4" thick and simply had 45*(?) angles cut on both ends. I remember putting some sort of reinforcing on the area where the fins connected to the tube. It had one hole abut 2/3 of the way to the top. Very sturdy and fugly too. LOL! I think I got bored with it 'cuz I couldn't break it!:D

That is the Golden Scout!

They used to use surgical gauze as reinforcement but with the new glues it isn't really needed.

Just paint it white.

https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/estes261/261est2.html

https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/estes63/63est6.html

The gold was because of the 50th anniversary of model rocketry last year.
 
And the Streak had a very light plastic BT and no ejection exhaust holes. I had one for one flight. Just gone. Never saw it after it left the pad. This was about 1980ish.

-Ken
 
What is featherweight recovery? It's been so long ago I can't really remember what the name of the rocket was. And what does BT stand for?
 
What is featherweight recovery? It's been so long ago I can't really remember what the name of the rocket was. And what does BT stand for?

Featherweight recovery is when the motor is ejected out of the rocket and the rocket "floats" down.
BT = Body Tube.
 
Thanks Tony. And guys, it was the scout. I remembered just as soon as I clicked on the link you provided Tony. I remember the little metal motor retainer. Wow, what a trip to see that rocket again. Might have to get another just for old times sake. :)
 
I had totally forgotten the scout. That was one of my favorite rockets.

Now there's another rocket that I need to get into my fleet. The list is getting long. :rolleyes:
 
Wrangorocket said:
Thanks Tony. And guys, it was the scout. I remembered just as soon as I clicked on the link you provided Tony. I remember the little metal motor retainer. Wow, what a trip to see that rocket again. Might have to get another just for old times sake. :)

Bill P said:
I had totally forgotten the scout. That was one of my favorite rockets.

Now there's another rocket that I need to get into my fleet. The list is getting long. :rolleyes:

Wrangorocket and Bill P, here's where you can get your very own Scout:
https://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/RocketKits.asp?SKU=KV-4

It's the Golden Scout in commemoration of last year's 50th anniversary NARAM-50. I have two of them and they are great little rockets. You can search the TRF Archive for *lots* of discussions of the Golden Scout.
 
I got Golden Scouts for everyone in my family (five of us) for the celebration last year. After launching we had four.:( I got them all touched upwith decals applied and had them signed by Vern and Gleda Estes and Carl and Cheryl McLawhorn (Mr. and Mrs. Semroc) at NARAM 51 this year. We don't plan on flying them anymore but plan on putting them in little display cases to display next to the framed certificates.
 
Wrangorocket and Bill P, here's where you can get your very own Scout:
https://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/RocketKits.asp?SKU=KV-4

It's the Golden Scout in commemoration of last year's 50th anniversary NARAM-50. I have two of them and they are great little rockets. You can search the TRF Archive for *lots* of discussions of the Golden Scout.

The Golden Scout has been ordered.
Along with all the Goonies.
And a couple of more.
 
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