I have two Aerotech I59s that I would love to fly this weekend at HellFire. My problem is that the last TWO times I flew this reload, my rocket and casing were destroyed due to burn through. Two years ago it burned through the case just above the aft closure, maybe half-way through the flight. Aerotech replaced the casing and reload, but not the scratch-built rocket. Last year, the motor failed almost immediately, and the burn through was along most of the length of the case. Again, a new reload and case, another destroyed rocket. Yes, I filed two MESS reports.
Both times, I prepared the reloads the night before the launch, since the big solid grain must be epoxied to the liner. I used Bob Smith 5 minute epoxy. I coated the outside of the grain completely with a thin layer of epoxy and then slid it into the liner so that the excess ends up on top where it is needed to inhibit the grain.
Anybody else have problems with this load?
Should I use West System Epoxy or Gorilla Glue instead of generic 5 minute?
Am I stupid to keep trying to fly this load???
Both times, I prepared the reloads the night before the launch, since the big solid grain must be epoxied to the liner. I used Bob Smith 5 minute epoxy. I coated the outside of the grain completely with a thin layer of epoxy and then slid it into the liner so that the excess ends up on top where it is needed to inhibit the grain.
Anybody else have problems with this load?
Should I use West System Epoxy or Gorilla Glue instead of generic 5 minute?
Am I stupid to keep trying to fly this load???