modelI already posted a version of this story to my LJ account since apparently MindSay doesn't like my Mac's browser. So if you're sub'ed to this blog from LJ, you can save yourself a click.
Saturday afternoon turned out to be an excellent (though hot) day for launching rockets. The breeze was calm enough that all of our launches landed quite close to the launch pad. We got off seven launches of 4 rockets (one was damaged in its first launch). I think I have my recovery system packing procedure worked out, because none of the launches had any burned cords, 'chutes or shroud lines.
I started off with the Viking on an A engine. Woosh! Perfect flight. This rocket is so small that it can really get up there on even an A engine, and with a streamer to bring it home, it doesn't stay up long.
Then we launched the MaxxTraxx on a C6-3. Woosh! Another beautiful flight. It landed on its fins, but then the 'chute pulled it over. This rocket is really fun to fly, and damned sturdy.
Third up was the Gamma Ray on an A. Woosh! Pop! The shock cord broke, and the rocket tumbled to the ground. It would have been fine had it not landed on the concrete. As it was, the tip of one fin got crunched, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with some wood filler. I haven't decided if I'm going to replace the elastic in the shock system or not. This rocket has a dual kevlar/elastic shock cord system. The kevlar part of course did just fine, but the elastic snapped in the middle. That surprised me a little, and indicates that maybe the ejection charge is stretching the elastic too far. This issue needs further thought before I fly this rocket again.
Fourth was the Sky Writer on a B6-4. Woosh! Wow, that one went pretty high for such a long rocket, and it really took its time descending. It recovered perfectly, and is becoming another of my favorites.
Fifth up was the reloaded Viking, this time with a B6-4 engine. It screamed off the pad, almost out of sight, and had a very odd recovery. When I got to the landing site, I found that one of the fins had sheared off, never to be seen again. Oh well, looks like I get to practice some serious rocket repair techniques. :-)
Sixth was a repacked MaxTrax, again with the C6-3. Damn that's a fun engine to fly. The thrust stage seems to go on forever. Another perfect flight, making four successful missions, according to Jake.
Seventh and last was another flight by the Sky Writer. The kids were pretty hot by this point, and I was pushing my luck doing one more flight, but I wasn't ready to give up yet. I loaded a C6-3 into the 'Writer and sent her up. I'll be she cleared 1000ft, and seemed to take forever drifting slowly down for a completely successful recovery.
This lauch went much better than my previous efforts. I was able to send aloft many more rockets, and only one of them sustained serious damage. The GammaRay is already mostly fixed, and once I replace the crappy parachute, she'll be ready to fly again. I'm definitely getting short on parachutes. The Quest 'chutes are no good in my opinion, and I'm systematically switching to Estes 'chutes, which have never failed me.
