Successful L2 certification

It worked!

The first launch of my complete scratch built partially 3D printed rocket went perfectly. Took 5 ignition attempts (bad connector) but once it took off it soared to over 4200ft. No one could find it until around the JLCR deployment at 600ft, in which the recovery system worked perfectly.

Very happy with the success of my first scratch built high powered rocket. I am surprised and pleased with the strength of the 3D printed components, they held up very well!

Here are some up close photos of the launch on an J270W.

Awesome!!!

Nice job! Yeah, when done properly, 3D printed parts can be quite strong. Congrats on the cert!

Congrats! Way to move super quickly with your certification flights... when’s the L3 flight planned for?

KC3KNM said:

Congrats! Way to move super quickly with your certification flights... when’s the L3 flight planned for?

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Next weekend of course.

Congrats Ben! I was the guy pushing the button (and pushing, and pushing)! Lol Great flight and I was impressed with your printing as well. Looking forward to flying with you more!

viciouspeanut said:

Congrats Ben! I was the guy pushing the button (and pushing, and pushing)! Lol Great flight and I was impressed with your printing as well. Looking forward to flying with you more!

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5th time was the charm. Thanks for your patience and I'm looking forward to future launches with the club as an soon to be member.

Was that the J270W DMS?

jlabrasca said:

Was that the J270W DMS?

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It was actually an J250W DMS, I can't seem to edit my post.

Congrats!

Ben Martin said:

It was actually an J250W DMS, I can't seem to edit my post.

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Yeah. Figured, since you didn't mention a 54/38 adapter in your build thread. Saw your note in that thread about the melted retainer.

Post some images when you get it taken apart? I am working on rocket to go on the K850 DMS and I am puzzling out a retainer to deal with the recessed nozzle (my L2 rocket got badly toasted by the J270 DMS). I'd be interested to see how yours got damaged

jlabrasca said:

Yeah. Figured, since you didn't mention a 54/38 adapter in your build thread. Saw your note in that thread about the melted retainer.

Post some images when you get it taken apart? I am working on rocket to go on the K850 DMS and I am puzzling out a retainer to deal with the recessed nozzle (my L2 rocket got badly toasted by the J270 DMS). I'd be interested to see how yours got damaged

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I'll certainly post some photos when I take it apart. From initial impressions it seems like it just melted a few layers from the blast reflection off the pad. It will be an interesting and informative teardown.

jlabrasca said:

Yeah. Figured, since you didn't mention a 54/38 adapter in your build thread. Saw your note in that thread about the melted retainer.

Post some images when you get it taken apart? I am working on rocket to go on the K850 DMS and I am puzzling out a retainer to deal with the recessed nozzle (my L2 rocket got badly toasted by the J270 DMS). I'd be interested to see how yours got damaged

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The rocket is in excellent condition. Only damaged component is the motor retainer cap which melted a bit but could still be flown again without any issues. Baffle showed no signs of melting or stress at all, which was mindblowing. The motor retainer transition was not damaged at all and the screws were not compromised. This is a very good sign for the durability of the rocket.

I prefer my motor retainers well done. It gives them character and they are cooked all the way through, no pink on this rocket.

Congrats!

How fast did it get going?

Ben Martin said:

The motor retainer transition was not damaged at all and the screws were not compromised. This is a very good sign for the durability of the rocket.

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Hilarious. For less well done retainers, a strip of ductape or shiny fibertape on the backend acts as some sacrificial barrier. That's how I protect my Estes 29 or 24mm retainers when I throw motors they were never designed for at them.

Nytrunner said:

How fast did it get going?



Hilarious. For less well done retainers, a strip of ductape or shiny fibertape on the backend acts as some sacrificial barrier. That's how I protect my Estes 29 or 24mm retainers when I throw motors they were never designed for at them.

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Max speed of a bit over 500mph (.7 mach) and an apogee around 4200ft.