School me in Dr Rocket's motors

[Tim51]

I have just acquired some very well preserved second-hand Aerotech casings - 54/1280, 54/1706 alongside a 54/852 Dr Rocket's case, which I understand is fully compatible with AT loads (newly available here in the UK). Can anyone tell me any of the history of Dr Rockets ? Are they still around?

 

[Steve Shannon]

I have just acquired some very well preserved second-hand Aerotech casings - 54/1280, 54/1706 alongside a 54/852 Dr Rocket's case, which I understand is fully compatible with AT loads (newly available here in the UK). Can anyone tell me any of the history of Dr Rockets ? Are they still around?
View attachment 516686

They’re no longer being made. They were manufactured under license in the same machine shop as the AT cases. They also made some really pretty special edition cases. The owner of the company was Dr. Michael Reiner (I think).

 

[Sandy H.]

One of the best features (IMO) of the standard Dr. Rocket cases is the red anodizing. If a motor case comes out of the rocket (nowadays, there are many good ways for motor retention, so this shouldn't happen, but if it does. . . ) the red stands out on the field better than the black or blue options that are also Aerotech compatible. They also stand out on a cluttered bench or trailer. . . not that any of us have motor cases anywhere but stored in their proper place. . .

If I could have all my cases like the Dr. Rocket cases, I would, but I'm not going to try to sell a black case and buy a red one. I don't kick motors out after switching retention methods.

Sandy.

 

[Tim51]

They’re no longer being made. They were manufactured under license in the same machine shop as the AT cases. They also made some really pretty special edition cases. The owner of the company was Dr. Michael Reiner (I think).

Thanks Steve. So they were just a brand of AT compatible hardware, or did they produce motors as well?

 

[Rob Campbell]

Thanks Steve. So they were just a brand of AT compatible hardware, or did they produce motors as well?

No, Dr. Rocket only made cases. They are made to the exact same specs as Aerotech cases.

 

[rharshberger]

Thanks Steve. So they were just a brand of AT compatible hardware, or did they produce motors as well?

No reloads, just hardware. They and Monster Motors are two producers of official AT hardware clones.

 

[Tim51]

Thanks @Sandy H., @Rob Campbell, @rharshberger . So, although this case was manufactured in Dec 1999, I'm right in assuming there should be no problem using it with contemporary AT 54/852 loads?

 

[Steve Shannon]

Thanks @Sandy H., @Rob Campbell, @rharshberger . So, although this case was manufactured in Dec 1999, I'm right in assuming there should be no problem using it with contemporary AT 54/852 loads?

No problem at all as far as certified or not. I still have a lot and I still use them.

 

[Rob Campbell]

Thanks @Sandy H., @Rob Campbell, @rharshberger . So, although this case was manufactured in Dec 1999, I'm right in assuming there should be no problem using it with contemporary AT 54/852 loads?

None whatsoever. Dr Rocket cases were made to Aerotech specs.

 

[Handeman]

All cases have tolerances. I have all Dr. Rocket cases for 29 and 38mm. I did buy a 38/480 Aerotech case because I was getting about one in 10 reloads that I had to sand down the phenolic liner tube to get it to fit. The a club member would loan me his Aerotech case and the liners that didn't fit my Dr. Rocket Case always fit in his Aerotech case.
I'm not saying the Dr. Rocket case is out of spec, just that the one I have is on the small end.

 

[jimzcatz]

Millennium

 

[tsmith1315]

LDRS XV, I think, at Orangeburg - Dr. Rocket and Delta V Rocketry on the midway. That was pretty early for Dr Rocket, but their hardware soon became common.



This 38/480 flew last weekend with RAS hardware and H550ST reload:

 

[Tim51]

All cases have tolerances. I have all Dr. Rocket cases for 29 and 38mm. I did buy a 38/480 Aerotech case because I was getting about one in 10 reloads that I had to sand down the phenolic liner tube to get it to fit. The a club member would loan me his Aerotech case and the liners that didn't fit my Dr. Rocket Case always fit in his Aerotech case.
I'm not saying the Dr. Rocket case is out of spec, just that the one I have is on the small end.

Thanks for the heads up. I've yet to fly the case pictured in my OP, but I'll bear that in mind.

 

[Tim51]

LDRS XV, I think, at Orangeburg - Dr. Rocket and Delta V Rocketry on the midway. That was pretty early for Dr Rocket, but their hardware soon became common.

View attachment 517126

This 38/480 flew last weekend with RAS hardware and H550ST reload:

View attachment 517125

Thanks for posting. I was wondering if the rear closure I bought was a mismatch from a different set because it's matt black, not anodised red like the fc. Your photo suggests the different colour was normal (..?)

 

[tsmith1315]

Thanks for posting. I was wondering if the rear closure I bought was a mismatch from a different set because it's matt black, not anodised red like the fc. Your photo suggests the different colour was normal (..?)

Yep. Aerotech rear closures are gold, and I don't recall any other licensed hardware when the Dr Rocket line came out.

 

[Banzai88]

The one really odd thing about the Red (and special edition) and Blue cases.....people will pay a premium over cheaper brand new black cases for them! Heck, even the individual closures routinely go for more money on ebay and the yard sale.

I guess it's the 'wow' factor.

 

[Tim51]

The one really odd thing about the Red (and special edition) and Blue cases.....people will pay a premium over cheaper brand new black cases for them! Heck, even the individual closures routinely go for more money on ebay and the yard sale.

I guess it's the 'wow' factor.

Interesting...these are definitely vintage, and in perfect condition, but I don't think there are enough rocketeers this side of the pond who would appreciate the specialty of them, were I ever to sell. A competitive market in vintage items requires a sufficient connoisseur collector base . I got all three cases and the closures for £100 as part of a barter deal.

 

[tsmith1315]

I got all three cases and the closures for £100 as part of a barter deal

Smokin' deal you got there!

 

[loopy]

Smokin' deal you got there!

I was thinking the same thing...

 

[rcktnut]

DOCTOR ROCKET HOME PAGE (archive.org)

 

[Tim51]

DOCTOR ROCKET HOME PAGE (archive.org)

Thanks very much for posting this - I read every page!

 

[tfish]

Thanks very much for posting this - I read every page!

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/8-years-to-recover.143736/
Tony

 

[Tim51]

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/8-years-to-recover.143736/
Tony

Thanks - currently at work - will read at leisure this evening!

 

[Tim51]

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/8-years-to-recover.143736/
Tony

Thanks for linking to this - it's a fascinating story and a great read. And by the way, thank you, sir, from this side of the pond for all the knowledge and experience you've shared both on these pages, YT etc.

 

[CoyoteNumber2]

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/8-years-to-recover.143736/
Tony

I always wondered where that casing ended up. I saw it when it was Ken's. I might even have a picture of fifteen-year-old-me holding it. It was brand new and still the familiar Dr. Rocket red. I remember Ken talking to Dr. Kosdon about casting some grains for it. I'm happy to see it's flown.