SMC Discussion Areas

The Coin Return => General Chit Chat => Topic started by: Creighton on February 13, 2012, 06:34:18 pm



Title: Model Rockets
Post by: Creighton on February 13, 2012, 06:34:18 pm

Here is part of my stable. The "Orbital Transporter" and original version of the "Satellite Interceptor" I built when I was 12 or so in 1974.

Great hobby. Also a ton of fun these days with on-board ranging data/video.

90grad or anyone else with kids starting out send a PM have a bunch of tubes/nosecones I'll never use.

Creighton



Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: collecture on February 13, 2012, 08:04:52 pm
Looks like you have some time invested in those Creighton!
They all look nice!


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: Matt on February 13, 2012, 09:52:32 pm
Model rockets are cool. I loved them as a kid. And I still like them as an adult. If I could just find other people who are interested in the hobby. I can't imagine asking other people at work if they want to go launch model rockets...


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: scalebowler on February 13, 2012, 09:56:02 pm
They look pretty awesome! Also don't worry about posting these in the steam powered tonka truck thread. I'm not mad or anything like that. I actually think they are pretty cool.


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: 90grad on February 14, 2012, 08:21:32 am
Very nice, Creighton!  PM sent.  Thanks!!!


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: BrianB on February 14, 2012, 09:51:40 am
Super cool! I remember when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade our class did a science project about rocketry. Each student got to build an Estes "Mosquito", the smallest (and cheapest!) model rocket that Estes produced. It was so much fun to launch them!


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: SIGNGUY on February 14, 2012, 10:36:59 am
I bought my son (8) a rocket kit for his birthday last summer and we built it together.. it was a pretty basic 30 dollar kit but then another 20 for engines, etc...
got it all put together and waiting for a day to launch..
we go over to some friends house with a huge backyard adjacent to the local middle school sports fields.. so figure great spot to launch... figuring we where first timers we thought we put in the smaller engines.. 500 feet or so.. needless to say , we accidentally put in the 1000 feet engine and thought we where good to go... Apparently the wind was a little more "gusty" higher up than where we launched from... It went up and after 3 seconds we lost it... then got a glimpse of the orange parachute traveling north about 15 miles an hour at 750-1000 feet up.. needless to say our efforts on recovery where fruitless..  gonna try again. :glare: :blush:


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: 90grad on February 14, 2012, 11:33:35 am
We have a craft store around here called Michael's and they sell rockets, motors, etc.  However, they always have 40-50% coupons in the Sunday paper.  You can use these for rocket stuff, so we get a pack of motors for about $5.


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: SIGNGUY on February 14, 2012, 01:21:12 pm
Good call.. we have a Michaels about an hour away..


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: Creighton on February 14, 2012, 04:01:36 pm
Check that the motor packs haven't been dropped, cracked nozzle sure sign. They will blow on the pad.

I like to launch an "Alpha II" on C-6-6 with 3' streamer recovery first. Gives a good indication of the upper air currents. Since Estes likes to sell rockets they don't tell you about the need to cut at least a 2" hole in the center of the parachute. If you are landing small rockets on grass, streamer recovery is fine. Since they come down faster the motor will still be hot. Never launch without fire suppression on hand.

Had good luck with "If found please call #" written on the body. Got one back that had been on a roof for 2 yrs. The guy putting on new gutters on found it and called.

Bunch of rocket clubs around. The local RC store would know. Folks build some amazing downscales and payloads.

Creighton


  


Title: Re: Model Rockets
Post by: SIGNGUY on February 14, 2012, 06:43:08 pm
yes definatly will put name and number on next unit...

I understand about it being expensive.. were also into RC Trucks, nitro and electric and when you start out with a 400-500 Nitro or a 700-900 Brushless Type 1/8 model truck.. that's just the base price, not to mention , hop ups, batteries, etc... but boy they are fun! and isn't that what life is about.. Having Fun! :happydrinkers:

Cheers to the Toys that Keep us boys at heart! :happydrinkers: