Just what it sounds like, a flying spool:
I am so sorry. What is a spool?
I see a "Starship Vega" in there!That's a stock (google) pic. How bout the last pic w my fleet together: 2017ish
View attachment 474048
Some more details here:
The Huxley Fleet 2021 (xmission.com)
Wow, impressive.That's a stock (google) pic. How bout the last pic w my fleet together: 2017ish
View attachment 474048
Some more details here:
The Huxley Fleet 2021 (xmission.com)
Well said“Model rocketry” is definitely a “Big Tent.” There is room for just about everything safe, from MicroMaxx to High Power.
the boundary between Low Power and Mid Power is somewhat artificial, somebody said E thru G would be mid power, no regulation, except I think they recommend a 30 foot cord from button to pad and a larger pad and rod (or even better, a rail.)
I have seen some tremendous skill and creativity in High Power, to be sure, although the main thrust (pun intended) in high power seems to be bigger, faster, , or higher, staging, all of which are cool. Also cameras are common and I think add to enjoying the flight AFTERWARD. Disadvantages of high power are cost, and convenience of launch site availability and scheduling (due to need for waivers.). I think High Power builders are less likely to go with designs “outside the box”, perhaps because such designs are a bit more risky to go catywampus. Skywriting with a low power bird is eye catching, frowned upon, but usually merely entertaining. The same with High Power often requires a change of underwear. The cost of replacing a destroyed rocket due to fecal turbine interaction is also dramatically different between the two, as with High Power you potentially lose all the electronics and the case. So perhaps more reluctance to build something with a less than conventional flight profile. Also, not always true but most commonly a builder has put much more of his or her time into a high power build than low power build. A good exception may be @Funkworks
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/a-rocket-for-a-smurf.159959/page-11#post-2160863
Which is currently at 13 months and counting, although I think we are getting close! That one is mid power.
MicroMaxx has convenience of extremely low cost, you can often launch from your back yard, so nothing beats it for convenience of launch sites. About the only thing I haven’t seen yet in MicroMaxx is camera Rockets and remote controlled gliders, although they may come eventually. MicroMaxx likely requires more physical dexterity in dealing with itty bitty parts.
Low power is also extremely cheap compared to high power, and the variety is across the board. To me, the classic three fins and a nose cone gets pretty boring early on, but you can branch out into helicopter, AirBrakes, gliders (free flight and radio controlled), cameras, staging, scale models, fantasy style models, saucers, Odd Rocs (flying potatoes, hot dogs, cola cans, tape worms, Cranes, Skeletons, outhouses, the sky is literally the limit.). There is also competition for MicroMaxx and Low Power. Note all of these (except competition) CAN be done with High Power, and many of them HAVE been done, but much less commonly. Also launch sites, while still challenging especially in drought conditions, still far much more readily available than high power.
disadvantages of low power: less shock and awe compare to high power. Also lower altitude due to two factors, first the motors are obviously smaller. second (although this too is in process of changing), tracking and recovering a small rocket that goes out of sight and site (likely if it goes over 2 thousand feet) without electronic trackers is sketchy, although FlightSketch may have a tracker that can fit a low power rocket soon, and Jolly Logic has dual deploy for larger low power rockets and I have heard rumors may have something for smaller rockets as well.
mid power? Pretty much the same as low power to me, but a bit more shock and awe, as they are larger, and can carry payloads Such as larger cameras, CAN fly higher (although motor choices can be made to keep them in range on smaller field if wanted) and are much more electronics friendly if that’s (one of) your thing(s). Cost is a bit more, and you need to build a bit stronger.
yes, this diatribe does have a point. There are only two key rules in model,rocketry.
1. Be safe
2. have fun.
doesn’t matter if your rocket weighs a fraction of an ounce and only goes up 50 feet or weighs a few hundred pounds and approaches the Karman Line, it’s YOUR rocket, and as long as those two rules are applied, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks!
1. Be safe
2. have fun.
Now I have 3 grandsons who are anxious to shoot off their first rockets
I am thinking that with a BT-20 tube, two CD-R discs, and a launch lug, and I got myself a spool rocket.
Take care. Johnson's Baby powder today is cornstarch, not talcum. It can ignite and it can put pinholed in your parachutes, partly melt them, etc.So, how about talcum powder. Do you slather the parachute in Johnson's Baby Powder like I do? I make it ridiculously powdery. It still doesn't open up every time. Argghh!
Amen, and amen! Funding is so important, and the patience, skills and analytical prowess I've developed as an adult are giving me a great deal of enjoyment.BAR here too at 61 years young. I'm loving the hobby even more than I did as a teen because I have FUNDS now! I stopped into Hobby Lobby today to by some D engines and ended up leaving with a Baby Bertha. $7.99! How could I pass that up? BIG Bertha was one of my favorite rockets as a kid. It was orange. It took off slower which made it even more fun to launch. Not sure what happened to it.
My first rocket was the Estes Scout. Tumble recovery fun!
Now I have a workshop, more tools and 3d printer which opens up so many possibilities for modeling.
Sounds like a great approach!I like LPR because they are lower priced and easier to build so I can have more to choose from when I get ready to go to a launch and I won't be as devastated if I lose one. Also the engines are less expensive and easier to get so I can make more launches. I like B through D engines and I find my Big Daddy to be fun to launch.
I do have some MPR and a couple of HPR, and I've been level 1 in the past. I want to dust off my MPR and launch a few and might even do level 1 again, but most of my launches will always be LPR.
Oh no! Thanks for the tip!Take care. Johnson's Baby powder today is cornstarch, not talcum. It can ignite and it can put pinholed in your parachutes, partly melt them, etc.
The Great Leslie and Professor Fate. Now you ARE dating yourself. ;-)View attachment 474307
View attachment 474308
"Here's another one I'd like to see 'The Great Leslie' try out in High Power!"
-Professor Fate-
Low power is also extremely cheap compared to high power, and the variety is across the board. To me, the classic three fins and a nose cone gets pretty boring early on, but you can branch out into helicopter, AirBrakes, gliders (free flight and radio controlled), cameras, staging, scale models, fantasy style models, saucers, Odd Rocs (flying potatoes, hot dogs, cola cans, tape worms, Cranes, Skeletons, outhouses, the sky is literally the limit.). There is also competition for MicroMaxx and Low Power. Note all of these (except competition) CAN be done with High Power, and many of them HAVE been done, but much less commonly. Also launch sites, while still challenging especially in drought conditions, still far much more readily available than high power.
It’s only unfortunate if you take it seriously.Many HPR flyers look down on Model Rockets, as being "toys" . . . Unfortunate.
Dave F.
View attachment 474307
View attachment 474308
"Here's another one I'd like to see 'The Great Leslie' try out in High Power!"
-Professor Fate-
"Here's another one I'd like to see 'The Great Leslie' try out in High Power!"
-Professor Fate-
Many HPR flyers look down on Model Rockets, as being "toys" . . . Unfortunate.
Dave F.
It’s only unfortunate if you take it seriously.
While you wait for Estes to bring it back, you can currently get a reproduction of the kit at,Pic of Avatar please!
I love sci-fi looking rockets, especially "Dieselpunk" ("Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers") type rockets.
I have begged the new owners of Estes to bring back the "Galactic Pirates" rockets from the early 1980's. I hope they consider my request!
I love the Galactic Pirate "Patrol Cruiser Excalibur".View attachment 474037
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