by Finally,
Launch report from Pinson Alabama. Skies partly sunny, temp about
50*, winds were light 0-5 mph.
After many years, I have finally purchased, built, launched and
successfully recovered a Saturn V. We did'nt have much time today, so we
were limited to 1 launch of the "Bullpup/Titan III cluster" and 1 for
the D powered Saturn V.
Spaceman Spiff went up for the 1st time since last September. The
flight on 3 B engines, went perfectly straight up about 200' and the
ejection fired right as the rocket stalled and was about to turn itself
toward the ground. It was almost motionless when the chute deployed. it
drifted down range about 40 yards with the light breeze that was
blowing. Cracked 1 fin at the base of the glue joint but otherwise an
overall great flight. It was the 7th successful flight out of 8
attempts. I had 1 flight go unstable last year at the sod farm, because
I forgot to add a little weight when I moved it up to C's. I am however,
24 for 24 igniting a cluster of 3 B or C engines.
The Saturn V was awesome! It simulates a slow liftoff better than any
other rocket I've ever seen. Weighing in at exactly 14 ozs. on a D12-3
it was a slow liftoff indeed. Slowly picking up speed and weather
***ing into the breeze, it had turned balistic, when the ejection fired
and it seemed like it took forever, for the 3 chutes to deploy. The
upper section was open first and drifting sideways nicely, just like in
the instruction sheet. It came down that way and much to my amazement it
did'nt break the escape tower. I thought it would be gone on the 1st
flight. It landed about 30' from the pad.
The 1st chute on the booster had fully deployed before the second one
ever started but it finally caught enough air and then they were both
out. It looked great on 2 chutes. No tangles, just 2 clean chutes. The
main section came down like a feather and landed up right, very softly
about 20' from the pad. Watching them float down together like that was
fantastic! Landing close to the pad was an added bonus.
I want to thank Pete, Bob C, Buzz, Bob K, and EVERYONE else that
emailed or posted tips on building it. I'm looking forward to next
saturday at the sod farm already.
My son and I will be starting his Saturn V, in the next couple of
weeks and it's going up on 5 engines. Thanks again!
Trust No One, (well, maybe sometimes)
Randy