- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,545
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I've been in the hobby since 1973. I grew up on Estes and Centuri. Back then it was all paper, plastic, and wood.
But the last few kits I bought were fiberglass, carbon fiber, and metal tipped nosecones. Some of these "indestructible" kits are even designed for short-thrust E, F, and G motors.
I was wondering...
At what point is it nearly impossible to hold a rocket together made of paper, plastic, and wood? J? K? L?
Why I'm asking...
I've seen too many over-engineered and under-executed, "indestructible" rockets plant themselves balls-deep into the ground. I have to think that if that same lawn-dart hit an RV, car, or person it wouldn't be pretty.
And I've been thinking...
Why use "deadly force" instead of "reasonable force"? Why use a gun when you could use a taser? Why use fiberglass instead of paper tubing? Why use a metal-tipped nosecone instead of a plastic cone?
Then again...
I have to admit that I have no data behind my thoughts. I mean, if you jump into water from a meter it's fun. If you jump into water from 18 stories up, it's deadly. Maybe a balsa nosecone with an "E" bounces off your car... but with a "K" it pierces the roof. I don't know.
What are your thoughts?
But the last few kits I bought were fiberglass, carbon fiber, and metal tipped nosecones. Some of these "indestructible" kits are even designed for short-thrust E, F, and G motors.
I was wondering...
At what point is it nearly impossible to hold a rocket together made of paper, plastic, and wood? J? K? L?
Why I'm asking...
I've seen too many over-engineered and under-executed, "indestructible" rockets plant themselves balls-deep into the ground. I have to think that if that same lawn-dart hit an RV, car, or person it wouldn't be pretty.
And I've been thinking...
Why use "deadly force" instead of "reasonable force"? Why use a gun when you could use a taser? Why use fiberglass instead of paper tubing? Why use a metal-tipped nosecone instead of a plastic cone?
Then again...
I have to admit that I have no data behind my thoughts. I mean, if you jump into water from a meter it's fun. If you jump into water from 18 stories up, it's deadly. Maybe a balsa nosecone with an "E" bounces off your car... but with a "K" it pierces the roof. I don't know.
What are your thoughts?