LAUNCH REPORT 07/28/96 - 5 TOTAL
=================================
PREVIOUS RECOVERY ENGINE
# ROCKET LAUNCHES METHOD USED
1 - Little Joe II -------- 1 --- Para(12) --------- A3-4T
2 - Helio-Copter --------- 1 --- Para(12)&Heli ---- B6-2
3 - Space Shuttle America- 0 --- Para(12)&Gliders - C6-3
4 - Venus Probe ---------- 1 --- Para(12&18)------- C6-3
5 - Optima --------------- 1 --- Para(24) -AT-RMS-24mmE11-5J
Location: Spokane, WA
Time: 4:00PM - 4:30PM
Temperature: 96 F
Wind: NE 5-10 MPH
Conditions: Blue skies with high scattered clouds
Attendance: 5 people
My family is on vacation back East, and I'm playing bachlor
for a few weeks until I can catch up with them. I was invited
over to a co-workers house for dinner, and decided to bring a
few rockets along to entertain their kids for awhile.
1 - Little Joe II
The second flight for this mini-engine scale model of the
Apollo capsule test vehicle. Perfect shot into the air...and
it landed less than 15 feet from the pad. A nice start!
2 - Helio Copter
First time I've launched this bird on a "B6" engine...I
usually use "C's". The altitude was respectful considering
the motor used, but was nothing to brag about. The nose cone
came down in "Helicopter" mode as advertised, but its tip was
pointed UP towards the sky instead of DOWN at the ground.
That's the first time I've seen that happen with this rocket
(I have 2 of them). I'm sure some weight in the nose would
alleviate the problem.
3 - Space Shuttle America
The maiden flight for this model, which I bought to replace
the one that did a "Death Dive" during my 4th of July launch.
It's one of the COX RTF (Ready To Fly) models. Good altitude,
and the ejection charge worked flawlessly this time which
allowed the two parasite gliders to detach without incident.
The gliders are well-trimmed for a RTF model, and the kids
enjoyed chasing them as they circled around the field. Glide
time was approximately 35 seconds.
4 - Venus Probe
Another favorite of the kids. The larger chute on the "probe"
kept it in the air for approximately 45 seconds more than the
"booster" module.
5 - Optima
The same motor setup I used at the 4th of July launch...with
the same result. The gold retaining ring at the bottom of the
AeroTech motor case blew out, along with the propellant slug.
The slug looks to be about 95% intact. I made sure to reverse
the orientation of the case for this flight, (what was
originally the "Top" of case I made the "Bottom"). If the
case blew, I expected it to blow from the "Ejection Charge"
end this time...not the "Thrust" end. I've had no problems
with my 29mm case, so I guess my 24mm case/retainer ring has
a problem. I'm 2-for-2 failure wise with the 24mm case.
No damage was imparted to any of the rockets...a first for me.
Well, that's it. This posting was short and to the point.
(unlike my last launch posting)!
Regards,
M.Howe
"Eschew Obfuscation"