L3 Project - 8" AGM-33 Pike

[mtnmanak]

One other consideration you can't forget to factor in is the elevation of the launch site. The calculations above for dynamic pressure assume near sea level deployment.

If you are in Idaho and launching from a site that is already 3000' MSL, you need to factor that in.

 

[mikekebert]

Thanks for the great discussion of some extra factors affecting parachute sizing. It is fascinating to see what looks like a big fat safety margin dwindle super quickly with a few changed conditions!

My launch site is at about 5200' MSL which will have a significant impact on any altitude-dependent calculations.

 

[mtnmanak]

Finally finished painting this beast. Went through about 15-20 cans of paint. Next big rocket, I am bringing to an auto body shop and letting them do it.

 

[mtnmanak]

After painting and the shakeout flight, I finalized all data and updated the Rocksim file.

Final dry weight is 35,374 g (77.99 Lbs).

Planning to conduct the cert flight with an AT M2050X.

For anyone interested, here is the final Rocksim file.

 

[crossfire]

Very nice

 

[mtnmanak]

Cert flight complete. Perfect flight last weekend - went up on an M2050X and couldn't have asked for a better flight. Straight up and straight down!

Here is the video (4K on the big screen with the speakers turned up!):

 

[OverTheTop]

Very nice project, final product and flight. Welcome to L3 .

 

[rfjustin]

Yes! Congrats on the L3, and great videos as well! I love seeing the touchdown via on-board cameras.

 

[gerbs4me]

That's awesome, congrats on your L3!

Video was great!

 

[Bobfly]

Congratulations on your Level 3! Nice video.

 

[COrocket]

Great flight! Congrats on the L3. You know you have the fins on precisely when the rocket spins less than one revolution on the way up and comes to a stop at apogee

What was the altitude on that flight?

 

[mtnmanak]

Thanks everyone!

Here is the flight data:

Pad weight: 88 pounds (39,916 g)
Motor: Aerotech M2050X
T:W: 5.2/1
Expected Altitude: 2370 feet (722 m) (Rocksim 10.3)
Expected Velocity: 251 MPH (368 f/s) (Rocksim 10.3)
Actual Altitude: 2310 ft (704 m)
Actual Velocity: 249 MPH (365 f/s)
Descent rate under Drogue: 37 MPH (54 f/s)
Descent Rate under Main: 18 MPH (27 f/s)

 

[g.pitts]

Congratulations on achieving your L3! Great video, and great music selection (I’m a Rush fan too).

 

[mtnmanak]

Congratulations on achieving your L3! Great video, and great music selection (I’m a Rush fan too).

Thanks!

One has to wonder... how can an L3 cert video not use "Countdown"?

 

[AlexBruccoleri]

I saw this fly for your cert flight and it was a beautiful flight. I was chasing down my own rockets the following day. Did you try flying the rocket again?

 

[mtnmanak]

I saw this fly for your cert flight and it was a beautiful flight. I was chasing down my own rockets the following day. Did you try flying the rocket again?

I have flown it again! I plan to fly it next month at MDRA and also put it up on an N motor at Red Glare this year. The AGM-33 is really a great rocket.

 

[Alby]

I'm an AGM-33 fan too. I'll be using mine for a Level 2 Cert flight at Red Glare April 1st-3rd.

 

[Orien]

I have flown it again! I plan to fly it next month at MDRA and also put it up on an N motor at Red Glare this year. The AGM-33 is really a great rocket.

I love it. Just built this 2.6" XL version. Supersonic and almost 10k on 38mm J's.

 

[mtnmanak]

I posted this in other threads, but felt like it also belonged here since this is where the rocket's journey began. Flew this AGM-33 on an N2220 to 9000 feet at Red Glare a couple weeks ago - great flight! I have an N3300 on hand, hope to fly it on that this summer.


Photo Credit Steve Otte


Photo Credit Steve Otte


Photo Credit Steve Otte

 

[jmasterj]

I posted this in other threads, but felt like it also belonged here since this is where the rocket's journey began. Flew this AGM-33 on an N2220 to 9000 feet at Red Glare a couple weeks ago - great flight! I have an N3300 on hand, hope to fly it on that this summer.

Wish I'd been around on Sunday to see this. That N2220 is awesome!

 

[g.pitts]

I posted this in other threads, but felt like it also belonged here since this is where the rocket's journey began. Flew this AGM-33 on an N2220 to 9000 feet at Red Glare a couple weeks ago - great flight! I have an N3300 on hand, hope to fly it on that this summer.

View attachment 514117
Photo Credit Steve Otte

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Photo Credit Steve Otte

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Photo Credit Steve Otte

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Beautiful build, @mtnmanak! I followed your build thread, and appreciate the detail orientation you exhibited. Great to see her really get her wings on this N2220 motor (great pix!), and I’m looking forward to seeing pix from the flight on the N3300 motor!

 

[Adam3836]

Pure power !!!
Love it !!!

I posted this in other threads, but felt like it also belonged here since this is where the rocket's journey began. Flew this AGM-33 on an N2220 to 9000 feet at Red Glare a couple weeks ago - great flight! I have an N3300 on hand, hope to fly it on that this summer.

View attachment 514117
Photo Credit Steve Otte

View attachment 514118
Photo Credit Steve Otte

View attachment 514119
Photo Credit Steve Otte

View attachment 514120

View attachment 514121

 

[Hobie1dog]

WOW You're THE MAN

 

[Alby]

I didn't get around to my L2, but did launch at Red Glare. My rocket changed colors to black (primer) because I never got around to painting it. But in the future, I'll be ditching the idea of paint and trying out Vinyl Wrap.

In any case, here are a few pics and nose cone looking back videos.

Name: Raptor
Model: AGM-33 Pike
Motor: CTI I-350
Weight: 12lbs
Camera: RunCam Split 4K
Apogee: 1300ft

 

[mtnmanak]

I didn't get around to my L2, but did launch at Red Glare. My rocket changed colors to black (primer) because I never got around to painting it. But in the future, I'll be ditching the idea of paint and trying out Vinyl Wrap.

In any case, here are a few pics and nose cone looking back videos.

Name: Raptor
Model: AGM-33 Pike
Motor: CTI I-350
Weight: 12lbs
Camera: RunCam Split 4K
Apogee: 1300ft





View attachment 514151View attachment 514152

Vinyl wraps are great and, I think, pretty convenient. They aren't cheap, though. Then again, paint isn't cheap any more either!

I have only done one full rocket wrap and it came out pretty good and has really weathered about 15 flights quite well. If you scroll to the bottom of the build thread linked below, you will see the results of my wrap on a 4" Wildman Darkstar:

https://www.mountainmanrockets.com/...-series-builds/4-inch-wildman-darkstar-build/

 

[Alby]

Vinyl wraps are great and, I think, pretty convenient. They aren't cheap, though. Then again, paint isn't cheap any more either!

I have only done one full rocket wrap and it came out pretty good and has really weathered about 15 flights quite well. If you scroll to the bottom of the build thread linked below, you will see the results of my wrap on a 4" Wildman Darkstar:

https://www.mountainmanrockets.com/...-series-builds/4-inch-wildman-darkstar-build/

Thanks for the tips. I just bought some automotive vinyl wrap and was checking out this YouTube video on tips/tricks to wrapping a rocket. I'll be ready for the May MDRA launch with this new alternative to painting.

 

[James_Hoosen]

Thanks for the tips. I just bought some automotive vinyl wrap and was checking out this YouTube video on tips/tricks to wrapping a rocket. I'll be ready for the May MDRA launch with this new alternative to painting.

How much does it really cost to vinyl wrap a rocket ?

 

[Alby]

How much does it really cost to vinyl wrap a rocket ?

I spent $40 on 24" x 60" sheet on eBay.

 

[Alby]

I'll add that if you can wrap your rocket before you add fins, it's so much easier. Wrapping around fins aren't too much of a problem, you just have to take your sheet that wraps around the fincan and cut it into 3 or 4 segments (depending on number of fins). That's where alignment adds an extra challenging step. Whereas a virgin body tube is a 1 sheet, 1 wrap around process that's easier than eating ice cream