7DeadlySins
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- Joined
- Aug 19, 2014
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- 98
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Hi all. As my sons are starting to get a bit older the oldest one expressed interest in model rockets after he saw some during a trip to the hobby store awhile ago. After convincing my wife (was a hard sell....engines have to stay outside in the BBQ) we went down to the LHS and picked up an Estes Alpha III launch kit. Watched a couple vids on YT that helped me get an idea of how to build it (the ones by X-Rocs were especially helpful) and got to building it with my son. Was what I would consider an easy build and we had it done in about an hour or two and put it aside to dry/cure. Last weekend my son was anxious to launch it so we went out and picked up a pack of A8-3 motors and went to a large field in our area. It launched, but had a few hiccups along the way. The included launch controller in the Estes kit takes a 9V battery, and I had thought I brought along 2 fresh ones (turns out one of them wasn't fresh). Ended up breaking two of the igniters trying to figure out why it wasn't working until I used the 3rd on to test the battery and see if it would ignite, switched batteries and it ignited so I put the 4th and final igniter in to the rocket and off she went. Kids had a blast watching it go up, although sad that they could only do one flight....needless to say that I think there will be many more launches in our future.
As I am new I was hoping someone could give me some tips on how to install the included wadding. I had crumpled up 3 pieces of wadding and stuff them in loosely, but the parachute still managed to get singed...in fact I am not entirely sure how it singed where it did. I folded up the parachute length ways a few times and then folded it in have so the center was touching the base of the shroud lines, yet it singed/melted right in the center of the parachute...luckily enough that was the only place and I have now cut it out so it has a center vent hole. Perhaps someone can help explain why it would singe/melt where it did? I have read about using alternative wadding such as the cellulose insulation colloquially known as "dog-barf", but really have no idea how much to use, also hoping someone can help me out with that as well.
My other sons each want there own rocket as well so we have picked up an Estes Firehawk for my youngest son, and a Phoenix Bird for the other one. I also picked myself up a Photon Disruptor ($10 was too good of a price to pass up). I am looking for mini motors for the Firehawk but the LHS doesn't seem to carry the 1/4A3-3T ones that are recommended by Estes for the first flight. Would it be a bad idea to instead use the 1/2A3-2T for the first flight instead? The Phoenix and Photon are slowly being assembled while I read up on finishing tips and techniques. Doesn't seem to be a rocketry club in my area and I know of no-one who is model rocketry hobbyist, so right now you folks are my best repository of information . Thanks for reading.
As I am new I was hoping someone could give me some tips on how to install the included wadding. I had crumpled up 3 pieces of wadding and stuff them in loosely, but the parachute still managed to get singed...in fact I am not entirely sure how it singed where it did. I folded up the parachute length ways a few times and then folded it in have so the center was touching the base of the shroud lines, yet it singed/melted right in the center of the parachute...luckily enough that was the only place and I have now cut it out so it has a center vent hole. Perhaps someone can help explain why it would singe/melt where it did? I have read about using alternative wadding such as the cellulose insulation colloquially known as "dog-barf", but really have no idea how much to use, also hoping someone can help me out with that as well.
My other sons each want there own rocket as well so we have picked up an Estes Firehawk for my youngest son, and a Phoenix Bird for the other one. I also picked myself up a Photon Disruptor ($10 was too good of a price to pass up). I am looking for mini motors for the Firehawk but the LHS doesn't seem to carry the 1/4A3-3T ones that are recommended by Estes for the first flight. Would it be a bad idea to instead use the 1/2A3-2T for the first flight instead? The Phoenix and Photon are slowly being assembled while I read up on finishing tips and techniques. Doesn't seem to be a rocketry club in my area and I know of no-one who is model rocketry hobbyist, so right now you folks are my best repository of information . Thanks for reading.
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