Originally posted by FL_Flyer
Help a newbie BAR!
What's the biggest rocket I can buy that can reach 2000' of altitude on an Estes engine (single stage)?
What's easier to spot at that altitude, a long rocket or a fat one?
Also, for economy, what's the biggest rocket that can reach 2000' of altitude on a C6 or lower Estes engine (single stage)?
I'm looking for something that's easy to see all the way up. I don't want it to drift away on recovery so don't mind if it lands hard and needs a little repair work.
You'll be hard pressed on this one, but the only Estes kit we know of on the market right now that matches your requirements would be the Estes Sizzler. It's not that "big" of a single stage model, and if the flying conditions are ideal, you should be able to
fly it ok on a C6-7 and (assuming you're flying from a very large, wide open field with little or no grass) recover it. My son had (and
I must emphasize the work "had") one, and we flew it four times, the first flight on a C6-7 at Hearne, TX. Certainly looked like it hit 2,000 feet +. Lost sight of it parachuting down, but was
able to find downrange when we could see the plastic 12" chute
fluttering above the grass (short grass, I might add). Next flight was on a Quest A6-4. Good, moderately high flight, but because
the casing diameter of the Quest motors are a bit smaller than the
Estes, the ejection charge simply escaped through the gaps in the motor mount and the model lawndarted. Fixed, we flew it again at a HPR launch in Fulshear on a C6-7 again. Same result
as the Hearne flight (lost in the glare of the sun...but was located in the ground about an hour later by spotting the fluttering chute). Last flight was at the JSC Ballunar Festival on a C6-7.
In an overcast, dreary day, the model simply vanished as soon as
it left the launch rod...never could find it afterwards.
Later, was able to find and purchase a Sizzler/Star Dart combo
pak at Wal-Mart for only $4.49!! Haven't built the second Sizzler
yet.
)
