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
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
(BAR-16) The Estes Logo Rocket
2023-05-23 The Estes Logo Rocket
You know... the Estes logo. It's "That" Rocket.
Launch Report: Estes Logo Model Rocket
Date: 2024-05-30
Background
This is the maiden launch of this scratch build / design model rocket
On Site Preparations
I did not use any wadding for this rear eject spool design. There’s simply no room.
For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute.
This launch will use a E20-4W Composite motor. This is Aerotech’s “White Lightning” propellant which.
The supplied Aerotech igniter was used.
The rocket was slid onto the 5/16" launch rod and the controller wires were attached to the igniter leads.
Launch
Wind was out of the East and was about 4 mph at the most.
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.
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.
Condition of rocket after the flight
The rocket was uninjured and flight ready. "Hell-For-Stout" construction paid it forward.
Conclusions
This rocket has a calculated stability of 0.059 calibers. With the base drag hack it has a calculated stability of 1.16.
A string swing test was performed and the rocket passed that test.
What I learned
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 1st 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.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
(BAR-15) The Razorback
Launch Report: The Razorback
Date: 2025-05-12
Background
This is a single stage scratch design / built rocket. It is similar in shape to The Razorback from the TV Series The Expanse.
The rocket has 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 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 (387 ft), the parachute deployed and the rocket slowly came back to Earth.
During the coast phase the rocket was very quiet, no sound at all.
The rocket landed 227 feet from the launch pad, to the South-East.
Altimeter Data
Altitude: 387 Feet Top Speed: 144 mph Thrust Time: 1.4 Sec.
Peak Accel: 7.3 G’s Average Accel: 6.30 Sec.
Coast to Apogee: 0.2 Sec. Apogee to Ejection: 0 Sec.
Ejection Altitude: 387 Feet Decent Rate: 13 mph
Flight Duration: 20.5 Sec.
Flight Profile
The flight under thrust and coast were both straight, very little spin was observed.
Condition of rocket after the flight
No damage.
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 view of the rocket from the
ground was amazing. The tri-lobed sides,
with the light shining through the cut-outs was awesome. And the rocket “under chute” with the rear
eject was quite spectacular.
Nobody Beats "The Razorback", from the TV Series The Expanse, 29mm Power, Rear Eject, Unique Nose Cone and Fuselage
First Launch: Pending
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