Reloads for D-class engines

Does it make sense to use a 24/40 case for D12-D15 reloads rather than continuing to buy the standard Estes D12 one-shots? I don’t see any cost benefit, especially if I buy the Estes engines at discount. Are there other benefits to using reloads?

I’m not interested in going to E or F power at this time. My flying fields are relatively small and I like to keep my rockets under 500ft for visibility in flight and easier recovery.

You can lift a massier or draggier rocket if you so choose.

The Estes D12 are slightly more economical.

With the Aerotech reloads you would have about 10% more impulse (20 vs 17), different smoke and sound, and higher thrust (except for the D9). Compared to the 24/40 'D' reloads, adapting down to the 18/20 is slightly more economical (but still not as cheap as the Estes).

I gave up putting D reloads in my 24/40 a long time ago. Estes D's do the job at a decent price. I only use the 24/40 to upgrade a rocket with a 24mm motor bay. Sometimes you get a bigger field and you want more thrust.

You can also go with the Aerotech 18mm D21 w/adapter. More speed off the pad.

Lynn McCall said:

You can also go with the Aerotech 18mm D21 w/adapter. More speed off the pad.

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Get them while you can, Aerotech has discontinued the D21 and D10.

So the reloads are composite versus black powder and I can get either White Lightening or Blue Thunder at the D, 24/40 size, but they’re discontinuing some of those soon.

The Quest Q-jets will give similar performance and price. Seems like anything D or under, even E, is best done with single-use.

Do it because they are extremely different in sight, sound acceleration. I don’t think any reloads are being discontinued, just the 18 mm single use D10 and D21. If you like the D12 I recommend picking up the next longer delay in the D21 and D10 while you can (use with an adapter) and you will get a feel for if you like the motors enough to buy the equivalent reloads.

BBowmaster said:

So the reloads are composite versus black powder and I can get either White Lightening or Blue Thunder at the D, 24/40 size, but they’re discontinuing some of those soon.

The Quest Q-jets will give similar performance and price. Seems like anything D or under, even E, is best done with single-use.

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The 24/40 reloads come in White Lightning (bright flame, lots of white smoke), Blue Thunder (blue flame, low smoke), and Black Jack (black dense smoke).
None of the 24/40 reloads are being discontinued yet...

I'm disappointed. The D10 and D21 are full Ds while the D16 Q-jet is only 12 N-s, not much more than a C. Yes, the D21 and D10 are expensive, but if you want to give your 18mm rocket a real ride without losing a $40 case, they were the way to go.

Ok, I’m beginning to understand.

• 18mm D-class in Q-Jet single use, not a lot of isp.
• 18mm RMS composite reloads, higher isp
• 24mm black powder single use, cheap
• 24mm composite single-use - n/a
• 24mm RMS (D-class) composite reloads, higher isp and some choice in flame/smoke.

So how many cases of a given size is usual? Would it make sense to have two or three 24/40 cases ready to go at a launch then just reload them after they’re all launched? Is reloading quick enough I could use just a single case? Or if I want six launches in a day do I need six cases?

To be honest, I’m thinking just a single RMS case for special effects and more oomph on a couple rockets, 24mm bp motors for most launches, and 18mm q-jets for my heavy 18mm (1/200 Saturn V).

Cost-wise, single-use bp makes sense for almost all my 18mm.

BBowmaster said:

• 24mm composite single-use - n/a

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There are single use, 24mm composite motors available. Sort this list by "Single Use" under Manuf type / casing.

I see many E and F single-use, but the only D engines are Estes bp.

I need to find a bigger field to launch regularly on E or F. I’ve almost lost rockets with D-12s.

BBowmaster said:

I see many E and F single-use, but the only D engines are Estes bp.

I need to find a bigger field to launch regularly on E or F. I’ve almost lost rockets with D-12s.

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Oh yes, I see, there are no 24mm single use composite D motors.

BBowmaster said:

Ok, I’m beginning to understand.

• 18mm D-class in Q-Jet single use, not a lot of isp.
• 18mm RMS composite reloads, higher isp
• 24mm black powder single use, cheap
• 24mm composite single-use - n/a
• 24mm RMS (D-class) composite reloads, higher isp and some choice in flame/smoke.

So how many cases of a given size is usual? Would it make sense to have two or three 24/40 cases ready to go at a launch then just reload them after they’re all launched? Is reloading quick enough I could use just a single case? Or if I want six launches in a day do I need six cases?

To be honest, I’m thinking just a single RMS case for special effects and more oomph on a couple rockets, 24mm bp motors for most launches, and 18mm q-jets for my heavy 18mm (1/200 Saturn V).

Cost-wise, single-use bp makes sense for almost all my 18mm.

Click to expand...

I have two 24/40 RMS cases. I clean them with baby wipes at the field. It takes longer to clean them than to reload them. Maybe 4 minutes to clean and 2 minutes to reload. If you take your time or talk to other rocketeers too much, who knows...

I think you could change the your choices at launch. Launches are ALWAYS relative.

It sounds like you have a great field for small stuff. I love having one when I want to kill a couple hours.

Weather and field size are the main determining factors for my launch choices. I have launched alphas with 1/2A6-2s in the front yard,Cs & D's in a school yard and high power at a Tripoli launch. Wind can change any launch rules.

I really like the Quest D16. It is fun and affordable. It has a lot more punch than a C.

I think reloads have their place, they are a pain cleaning in the field. I think that is especially true for small ones (24/40 & 18/20). Composit motors are about extra boost (especially in small places).

Oh....
I almost forgot.
Ifu want to fly Ds in a confined space,
Think 2.6" body tubes.
I fly a 2.6 version of the Streak or Alpha or Sky Hook on a D. It is my Go-to at every launch for 20 years. It is always the rocket I pack 1st. ... And fly 1st.
I call it My Lucky Streak.