Initiator001
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The thread on motor casing collections had folks wondering about some of the companies that were being listed.
Here's some quick history about some of those companies.
Syner-Jet (Originally Ravenna Rocket Research (R3)):
Located in Ravenna, OH, R3 was a company founded/ran by Wayne & Kathy Schaefer in 1988.
R3 made a variety of D-H single-use motors. Their marketing angle was to sell a less expensive product. They did this by having no dealer network, all orders were mailed to R3 and shipped directly from the manufacturer. No middle-man. However, one had to order each motor type in quantities of six or twelve.
In addition, R3 advertised that they used linen-phenolic for their motor casings rather than paper-phenolic or fiberglass tubing which other companies were using.
The linen-phenolic casing caused problems for R3 as it was not as strong as paper-phenolic or fiberglass. At LDRS-8, I witnessed a higher percentage of R3 motor failures than any other companies' products. Less expensive, yes, but less reliable.
R3 disappeared soon after LDRS-8.
Later, a new company called Syner-Jet (SJ) was advertised in the Tripolitan magazine. SJ stated they were a lower cost motor manufacturer. They were located out of Ravenna, OH, but denied they had anything to do with R3. Eventually, SJ admitted in a Tripolitan advertisement that they were, indeed, R3.
The SJ single-use motors used a brown paper-phenolic casing and were more reliable. The hobby was changing, however.
Reloadable motors became a big seller and SJ wanted to get in on the business. They created a line of relaodable motors using snap rings and red anodized cases in 22mm, 29mm, 54mm. SJ used aluminum spacers which allowed a flyer to use smaller propellant loads in their maximum length cases.
I ordered all of their 'Class C' motor cases and reloads. SJ, also, offerred a device for adjusting the delay time of the reloads similar in concept to what is used today by other manufacturers.
SJ was soon out of business. While I have never heard an 'official' reason as to the company's demise, the rumor I heard was that Wayne and Kathy went through a divorce. Lacking any concrete/public information, I sometimes tell people I was responsible for the demise of SJ because of a 'prank' I pulled on them while I worked at AeroTech but, that story is outside the realm of this topic.
Here's some quick history about some of those companies.
Syner-Jet (Originally Ravenna Rocket Research (R3)):
Located in Ravenna, OH, R3 was a company founded/ran by Wayne & Kathy Schaefer in 1988.
R3 made a variety of D-H single-use motors. Their marketing angle was to sell a less expensive product. They did this by having no dealer network, all orders were mailed to R3 and shipped directly from the manufacturer. No middle-man. However, one had to order each motor type in quantities of six or twelve.
In addition, R3 advertised that they used linen-phenolic for their motor casings rather than paper-phenolic or fiberglass tubing which other companies were using.
The linen-phenolic casing caused problems for R3 as it was not as strong as paper-phenolic or fiberglass. At LDRS-8, I witnessed a higher percentage of R3 motor failures than any other companies' products. Less expensive, yes, but less reliable.
R3 disappeared soon after LDRS-8.
Later, a new company called Syner-Jet (SJ) was advertised in the Tripolitan magazine. SJ stated they were a lower cost motor manufacturer. They were located out of Ravenna, OH, but denied they had anything to do with R3. Eventually, SJ admitted in a Tripolitan advertisement that they were, indeed, R3.
The SJ single-use motors used a brown paper-phenolic casing and were more reliable. The hobby was changing, however.
Reloadable motors became a big seller and SJ wanted to get in on the business. They created a line of relaodable motors using snap rings and red anodized cases in 22mm, 29mm, 54mm. SJ used aluminum spacers which allowed a flyer to use smaller propellant loads in their maximum length cases.
I ordered all of their 'Class C' motor cases and reloads. SJ, also, offerred a device for adjusting the delay time of the reloads similar in concept to what is used today by other manufacturers.
SJ was soon out of business. While I have never heard an 'official' reason as to the company's demise, the rumor I heard was that Wayne and Kathy went through a divorce. Lacking any concrete/public information, I sometimes tell people I was responsible for the demise of SJ because of a 'prank' I pulled on them while I worked at AeroTech but, that story is outside the realm of this topic.