(BAR-19) Buck Rogers Thunderfighter Mk II

Here's a Scratch Build / Scratch Design based loosely on Buck Rogers Thunderfighter Mk II.

It's powered by a 24mm motor and is a rear eject spool design.

First Flight: Pending

 

(BAR-18) The Helix

The Helix: A Scratch Build / Scratch Design Rocket. Dual 29mm Tractor Motors, Single C/L Mounted Launch Lug, Helical Fins and Rear Eject.

First Launch: Pending

(BAR-17) SPAD XIII "Ace"

Launch Report: SPAD XIII Ace

Date: 2025-05-08

Background​

This is a single stage scratch design / built rocket. It is similar in shape to an Estes Der Red Max, but is made to look like Eddie Rickenbackers SPAD XIII.​

The rocket has a Payload Bay which feature an Altimeter Storage Bay.​

This flight included an Altimeter Two.​

This is a rear eject rocket that utilizes a spool.​

On Site Preparations​

For a parachute I used a 24” Nylon chute.​

An igniter was installed in the motor and secured via a rubber band.​

The rocket was slid onto the 5/16" launch rod and the controller wires were attached to the igniter leads.​

The site was clear and no outside observers were present.​

Launch​

Wind was out of the West / Southwest and was about 4 mph.​

The Aerotech G74-4 motor ignited and the rocket leaped off the pad.​

It flew stable upward to apogee (696 ft), the parachute deployed and the rocket slowly came back to Earth.​

During the coast phase you could hear the rocket slicing through the air.​

The rocket landed 295 feet from the launch pad, to the West.​

Altimeter Data​

​Altitude: 696 Feet, Top Speed: 181 mph, Thrust Time: 1.18 Sec., Peak Accel: 8.2 G’s​

Average Accel: 7.0 Sec., Coast to Apogee: 5.7 Sec., Apogee to Ejection: 0 Sec.​

Ejection Altitude: 696 Feet, Decent Rate: 18 mph, Flight Duration: 32.8 Sec.​

​Condition of rocket after the flight​

​No damage to the SPAD XIII Ace.​

Conclusions​

The rocket was stable.​

The delay was spot on.​

​What I learned​

This was a spectacular flight.​

The photos and launch video reflected this flight accurately.​

The sound of the rocket coasting was truly amazing. Not sure if it's the 1/4" plywood fins or the (3) 1/4" holes for the altimeter... but it was 5.7 seconds of coolness.​

 

Video of the Maiden Flight: SPAD XIII Ace

 

 

 Built to defend the Republic from the dreaded Der Red Max. 29mm Power, Rear Eject Spool, Payload Bay, Altimeter Stows In Nose Cone.

First Flight: Pending

(BAR-16) The Estes Logo Rocket

2023-05-23 The Estes Logo Rocket

You know... the Estes logo. It's "That" Rocket.

2024-05-31 Flight Report, Photos and Video

Launch Report: Estes Logo Model Rocket

Date: 2024-05-30​

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Background​

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This is the maiden launch of this scratch build / design model rocket​

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On Site Preparations​

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I did not use any wadding for this rear eject spool design. There’s simply no room.​

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For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute.​

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This launch will use a E20-4W Composite motor. This is Aerotech’s “White Lightning” propellant which.​

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The supplied Aerotech igniter was used.​

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The rocket was slid onto the 5/16" launch rod and the controller wires were attached to the igniter leads.​

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Launch​

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Wind was out of the East and was about 4 mph at the most.​

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John stated the sky was clear - launch site was clear and did the countdown: 5-4-3-2-1. Teresa pushed the button on the launch controller.​

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The motor ignited and the rocket leaped off the pad. It flew stable upward but then went unstable heading toward the South where it ground hit, 128 feet South of the launch horse. The delay was still burning, and the rocket ejected its chute.​

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Condition of rocket after the flight​

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The rocket was uninjured and flight ready. "Hell-For-Stout" construction paid it forward.​

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Conclusions​

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This rocket has a calculated stability of 0.059 calibers. With the base drag hack it has a calculated stability of 1.16.​

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A string swing test was performed and the rocket passed that test.​

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What I learned​

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There must be some other phenomenon affecting the flight of this rocket?​

Launch Report: Estes Logo Rocket –With Spin Tabs

Date: 2025-05-08

Background

This is a single stage scratch design / built rocket.  It is a model of the rocket depicted on the Estes Industries logo. 

The rocket is of a conical shape and was made from a solid piece of redwood.

This is a rear eject rocket.

This is the 2nd launch of this rocket.   The 1^st launch was stable under thrust, but tumbled during coast.

This version has “Spin Tabs” located on the trailing edge of the 3 fins, to induce spin.   

On Site Preparations

For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute.

An igniter was installed in the motor and secured via a rubber band.

The rocket was slid onto the 5/16" launch rod and the controller wires were attached to the igniter leads.

The site was clear and no outside observers were present.

Launch

Wind was out of the West / Southwest and was about 4 mph.

The Aerotech E30-4 motor ignited and the rocket leaped off the pad. 

It flew stable off the rod, 35 mph estimated, through both Thrust and Coast phases, to about 350 feet.

At ejection the chute deployed and the chute blossomed.

The rocket landed 274 feet from the launch pad, to the North-Northwest. 

Condition of rocket after the flight

The rocket was recovered undamaged.

Conclusions

The rocket was stable. The spin tabs worked.

What I learned

This was a spectacular flight. 

Due to the odd shape of the body this rocket needed to spin to maintain stability.

The photos and launch video reflected this flight accurately.

Launch Video: Estes Logo Rocket With Spin Tabs