astronboy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2002
- Messages
- 2,618
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Well, I finally had enough free time, and cooperative weather to fly
the some rockets. I drove down to the local HS this afternoon and flew
a few models. After several days of rain, the field was like a wet
sponge, but it was usable.
First up was my trusty Astron Alpha. I think of this as my own
personal sounding rocket, and always launch it first. The results of
my Alpha's flight gives me a pretty good idea of what is going
on 'upstairs'. As the Alpha came down within 20 feet from the
launchpad, I was pretty happy with the slight breeze that was blowing.
Next, I flew two of my new Goony prototypes on their maiden flights:
The Iron Wombat and the 57 Goony. Both performed flawlessly on B6-4s.
Finally, I launched the Delta Katt on 1/2A-2Ts. The first flight
showed me that I had way too much weight in the nose, as it came down
in a pretty steep dive. I removed about 1/3 of the clay and launched
again. This time, there was some improvement, but still too much nose-
weight. The glider was also circling too severely to the left, so I
also removed 1/2 of the wing tip clay. (so much for hand-toss
trimming!!) So I launched again, and again, for a total of 7
flights.
All flights were successful except one. On flight 4, a breeze blew up
right at ignition, and the pod launched, leaving the glider behind!
The pod was just a bit more than neutrally stable, so it continued up
to apogee, popped, and came back down. Fortunately, the glider was
undamaged. By flight 7, I had removed almost all of the nose clay,
and was getting a 30 second flight. I am sure that it can do better,
but I will need to buy more 1/2A3-2T motors....
I have to say that I am impressed by this (at least) 35 year old
design. Not only does it actually glide, but it has been pretty
forgiving in the hands of a glider recovery newbie.
It was also a d@%#d good way to spend 1.5 hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon....
I have posted a few launch photos.
Enjoy:
https://tinyurl.com/5zbxm
Phred
the some rockets. I drove down to the local HS this afternoon and flew
a few models. After several days of rain, the field was like a wet
sponge, but it was usable.
First up was my trusty Astron Alpha. I think of this as my own
personal sounding rocket, and always launch it first. The results of
my Alpha's flight gives me a pretty good idea of what is going
on 'upstairs'. As the Alpha came down within 20 feet from the
launchpad, I was pretty happy with the slight breeze that was blowing.
Next, I flew two of my new Goony prototypes on their maiden flights:
The Iron Wombat and the 57 Goony. Both performed flawlessly on B6-4s.
Finally, I launched the Delta Katt on 1/2A-2Ts. The first flight
showed me that I had way too much weight in the nose, as it came down
in a pretty steep dive. I removed about 1/3 of the clay and launched
again. This time, there was some improvement, but still too much nose-
weight. The glider was also circling too severely to the left, so I
also removed 1/2 of the wing tip clay. (so much for hand-toss
trimming!!) So I launched again, and again, for a total of 7
flights.
All flights were successful except one. On flight 4, a breeze blew up
right at ignition, and the pod launched, leaving the glider behind!
The pod was just a bit more than neutrally stable, so it continued up
to apogee, popped, and came back down. Fortunately, the glider was
undamaged. By flight 7, I had removed almost all of the nose clay,
and was getting a 30 second flight. I am sure that it can do better,
but I will need to buy more 1/2A3-2T motors....
I have to say that I am impressed by this (at least) 35 year old
design. Not only does it actually glide, but it has been pretty
forgiving in the hands of a glider recovery newbie.
It was also a d@%#d good way to spend 1.5 hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon....
I have posted a few launch photos.
Enjoy:
https://tinyurl.com/5zbxm
Phred
