Hank1986
Member
Got bored during the pandemic and thought it would be fun to build again. (sorry for this wordy post but I'm stuck inside due to the ice storm)
Here's the back story: About 50-couple years ago I was into model rocketry pretty heavily. In fact, I won my 7th grade Science Fair with my rocketry display. I remember some of my favorites. Astron Scout, Streak, WAC Corporal, Big Bertha, a see-through payload rocket (the name escapes me now) and a Centuri Groove Tube to mention a few. About 20 years ago we moved to a new house. I started to get back into the hobby again then and built an Estes Prowler. But, our new house was within hearing distance of an RC airplane field and I got hooked on that hobby instead.
Longing for something to do this winter I built the Big Bertha and Citation Patriot. I'm now awaiting calm, warmer weather in order to paint and then fly.
Check out my oak launcher crafted 20 years ago (below). Still, I needed a blast plate now and found two metal electric box plates at Lowe's for 80 cents each. These blast plates may be a little small but I'll see how they do. Drilled a hole in the center for the launch rod. Clothes pin on the leg helps keep the launch wires stable.
Back during my first run at model rocketry 50 years ago, I recall using Asbestos wadding. In what year did they quit using it?
Here's a question for launch day: The Big Bertha and Citation Patriot each have quite a long body tube. Is it better to place the wadding close to the rear of the engine or closer to the parachute? Or does it make any difference?
Here's the back story: About 50-couple years ago I was into model rocketry pretty heavily. In fact, I won my 7th grade Science Fair with my rocketry display. I remember some of my favorites. Astron Scout, Streak, WAC Corporal, Big Bertha, a see-through payload rocket (the name escapes me now) and a Centuri Groove Tube to mention a few. About 20 years ago we moved to a new house. I started to get back into the hobby again then and built an Estes Prowler. But, our new house was within hearing distance of an RC airplane field and I got hooked on that hobby instead.
Longing for something to do this winter I built the Big Bertha and Citation Patriot. I'm now awaiting calm, warmer weather in order to paint and then fly.
Check out my oak launcher crafted 20 years ago (below). Still, I needed a blast plate now and found two metal electric box plates at Lowe's for 80 cents each. These blast plates may be a little small but I'll see how they do. Drilled a hole in the center for the launch rod. Clothes pin on the leg helps keep the launch wires stable.
Back during my first run at model rocketry 50 years ago, I recall using Asbestos wadding. In what year did they quit using it?
Here's a question for launch day: The Big Bertha and Citation Patriot each have quite a long body tube. Is it better to place the wadding close to the rear of the engine or closer to the parachute? Or does it make any difference?