Cherokee-D BT's.
 

Can someone tell me the lengths of the BT55's of both versions of the Estes Cherokee-D (#K-47 and 1247?) I've been trying to search Ye Olde Rocket Plans for the answer but I've been unsuccessful.

Thanks!

search the forum, instead :D
http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=6444

Ah so! Thank you.

The Cherokee - D Kit # 1247 shows a BT-55V tube. Further research indicates that the V designation was for a BT-55V tube that was 16.35 inches long. The 16. 35 inches converts to 16 23/64 or 16 3/8 inches The 23/64 is 1/64" short of 3/8 inches.

Here is the Estes link to the Kit # 1247 Pdf.
http://www.estesrockets.com/media/i..._CHEROKEE_D.pdf

Semroc part list for the K-47 Cherokee-D kit also shows the BT-55V tube.

http://www.semroc.com/store/scripts...Parts.asp?ID=56

Thanks. Semroc does indeed show it as BT-55V, but not the length. Semroc appears to have descriptions only for tube lengths in stock.

This is a handy reference for the Estes body tube lengths http://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/Es...be_List_3.1.pdf

it is located on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe here http://www.rocketshoppe.com/tips.htm

You can also find it in the Estes Custom Parts Catalog on Ye Olde Rocket Plans.

The original K-47 and the EARLY 1247 used the BT-55V.
The 1247 changed to the full-length 18" BT-55 right around the same time it changed from a BNC-55AC cone to the PNC-55AC cone. I have NEVER seen a kit with the plastic nose cone and short tube, nor have I seen a kit with the balsa cone and long tube other than a clone.

It is MUCH more stable with the long tube. If you want the short-tube version, use plenty of nose weight.

I personally think the long-tube version looks better.
The Cherokee-D was my first D-power rocket and I have lost more of them than any other rocket.
An 18" chute on a rocket this small and flies so high is JUST PLAIN DUMB.
A 12" is plenty and use that with a D only in very light wind. Otherwise, use a STREAMER if u want it back.
Interestingly, the only time I have lost them has been using the D12-7.
Never lost one on a D12-5 or on the long discontinued D11-9. The D11-9 is about a perfect motor for the Cherokee-D; it has a little less total impulse than the D12 and the 9 second delay is about perfect with a streamer.

I actually flew one on an Aerotech E15 with streamer recovery in zero wind and got it back. Landed within 100' of my backyard pad. I think that thing must have hit at least 3000'.

I agree on everything except which version looks better....and the short one is stable enough in most situations, but I do add a quick link to the nose if I'm boosting on 24mm motors. BTW, did you copy and paste that post? Without doing a search, I bet it's almost word for word with others you've made about this very topic. :D :cool:

Nope, did not copy & paste.
That'd be cheetin'.
I don't cheet.