Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > The Golden Age of Model Rocketry > Model Rocket History
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-22-2015, 07:29 PM
BEC's Avatar
BEC BEC is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 3,643
Default A little classic flying last weekend

We had a "Classics" theme at the BEMRC launch on September 12th and to add to it a bit I brought out some classic GSE as well in the form of two eBay Electro-Launches plus the Tilt-A-Pad and Solar Launch Controller from my first rocketry period (which ended in 1974 or so).

All three launchers were made Q2G2-safe with the use of an LED-based lamp (http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=3105 in warm white) for continuity indication in place of the original and the Electro-Launches both had their leads extended so that there was more than 15 feet between the base and the controller to meet the current safety code (vs. the original 10 feet). One of them was the external-tabs version that's only offered in the 1966 catalog. This one came to me from another YORF member and appeared to have never been completed, so it launched its first rocket about 49 years after it was made. The other had been used some....

Here are some pictures of models on the pads. Since I was LCO I didn't get any liftoff shots. Sorry.

Some here may have seen another picture from that day - of a fairly ratty Scout that had never been flown but came with one of the E-Ls - that my wife posted on Facebook. I'm an over-the-shoulder Facebook person at the moment.

By the way, four alkaline D cells in an Electro-Launch fires a current-style Estes igniter RIGHT NOW. We had no misfires with any of these old launch controllers. Much better than the "photoflash D cells" and the nichrome with blue pyrogen(?) igniters from "back in the day". I remember getting kinda frustrated back then with the E-L.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  ThreeClassics.JPG
Views: 113
Size:  550.0 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  Aphelion_E-L.JPG
Views: 90
Size:  463.0 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  AlphaII_E-L.jpg
Views: 95
Size:  355.9 KB  
__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-22-2015, 07:48 PM
stefanj stefanj is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 2,847
Default

VERY cool!

I always wondered how modern batteries compared to "photoflash" cells.

I recently donated an unused Electro-Launch (red plastic) to rocketry display in a science shop / museum. Never had the heart to use it.
__________________
NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-22-2015, 07:54 PM
JohnNGA's Avatar
JohnNGA JohnNGA is offline
Craftsman
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jefferson, Georgia
Posts: 347
Default

Really neat..that brings back memories.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-22-2015, 08:03 PM
BEC's Avatar
BEC BEC is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 3,643
Default Liftoff shot and classic and modern mix

Here's a cropped frame grab of liftoff video of the one flight that I did take. In the Nova Payloader's payload section is an AltimeterThree. So bluetooth and smartphone technology flying off of a 45+-year-old-pad.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  NP2_off_of_E-L.jpg
Views: 69
Size:  215.3 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  NP(2)_flt_7.PNG
Views: 35
Size:  214.4 KB  
__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-22-2015, 09:07 PM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
Here's a cropped frame grab of liftoff video of the one flight that I did take. In the Nova Payloader's payload section is an AltimeterThree. So bluetooth and smartphone technology flying off of a 45+-year-old-pad.

I primed a Nova Payloader tonight. One of the original "vintage" birds I got off of Ebay back in 2001. It really wasn't that old, as I came to find out.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-22-2015, 10:45 PM
BEC's Avatar
BEC BEC is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 3,643
Default

That one is my second of the normal size. I retired the first one after 75 flights on everything from A8-3s to D10-7s (these latter do serious internal damage with their ejection charges).

I also have a 2.56 upscale that is a kit bash of an Estes Partizan.

It's not as old as the other designs in my pictures, that is true. It first appeared in 1986 and then was gone out of the catalog in 1998. It has come and gone twice more since then, most recently dropping out of the catalog in 2014.
__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-23-2015, 09:55 AM
hcmbanjo's Avatar
hcmbanjo hcmbanjo is offline
When Pigs Fly!
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,102
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
By the way, four alkaline D cells in an Electro-Launch fires a current-style Estes igniter RIGHT NOW. We had no misfires with any of these old launch controllers. Much better than the "photoflash D cells" and the nichrome with blue pyrogen(?) igniters from "back in the day". I remember getting kinda frustrated back then with the E-L.

That's pretty interesting comparing the Alkaline versus Photoflash batteries.
I was also dismayed with the blue coat igniters.
If I went out to launch fous or five rockets I'd always have at least one misfire.

Great pictures - thanks for stirring up some memories.
__________________
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-23-2015, 10:21 AM
Vanel Vanel is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 878
Default

It's nice seeing some classic rockets on classic pads!
__________________
Up next:
Under construction:
Under repair:
In finishing: Centuri Sabre clone
In primer:
In paint:
Ready for decals:

Bill Cooke
NAR #31312
TRA #19705
SAM #0001
Huntsville, AL

My rocket blog
My rocket fleet
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-23-2015, 06:23 PM
PaulK PaulK is offline
BAR
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WI
Posts: 1,847
Default

What a great theme!
__________________
Paul
If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane - Jimmy Buffett
NAR #87246 www.wooshrocketry.org
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-23-2015, 06:55 PM
sandman's Avatar
sandman sandman is offline
Custom Cone, Kit & Decal Maker
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Way North of Detroit
Posts: 5,048
Default

Now yer talkin' my kinda launch!
__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:47 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024