Saturn V (1969 version) motor choices

So ... I see lots of us out there are already flying their 1969 Sat Vs !! What are people's thoughts on the Estes recommended E12-4 motors? I'll also be flying with E30-4s ... but for the "Maiden" flight I'd like to start with the E12-4. Opinions please ???????

I have the previous version of the Saturn V. I launched mine on an E12-4. Just make sure you launch in low wind, or in a space that you can actually tilt it slightly with the wind. I tilted mine a touch into the wind and it weather-cocked and flew to an almost horizontal position, which left for very little altitude for deployment. It survived, but it was close.

If it had continued more vertically, it would have had plenty of room, though.

Tyler P said:

I have the previous version of the Saturn V. I launched mine on an E12-4. Just make sure you launch in low wind, or in a space that you can actually tilt it slightly with the wind. I tilted mine a touch into the wind and it weather-cocked and flew to an almost horizontal position, which left for very little altitude for deployment. It survived, but it was close.

If it had continued more vertically, it would have had plenty of room, though.

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This is very good advice. Tyler P's comments exactly match my recent launch experience, using an Aerotech E15-4W (E motor that fits into a D motor mount).

I launched my Saturn V "with the wind" (downwind) in a 7 mph wind. The rocket was launched 5 degrees (from vertical) downwind, and went slightly upwind. Had plenty of altitude for parachute deployment, drifted about 75 yards downwind.

For pics, see page 8 of my thread in the Scale forum: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/saturn-v-from-arkansas-estes-2157.150717/

NOTE: My thread is on a #2157, which is almost identical to the #1969.