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Disaster for Semroc Space Shuttle and Estes Goblin (clone)
We had some pretty nice weather for November in Maryland yesterday, so it seemed a good day to launch some rockets. Unfortunately, disaster struck for the first launch of my recently completed Semroc Space Shuttle, and for the first D-powered flight of my Estes Goblin clone.
Pre-launch Semroc Space Shuttle pics: Fleet pics: Space Shuttle on the pad: |
#2
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The Space Shuttle took off (C6-3) and got up about 30 feet as she arced to the left and powered sideways into the ground shearing fins and causing extensive damage to the larger glider.
I suppose I built too heavy (only one coat of sealer, one coat of primer, and one topcoat) or maybe just had something misaligned. This was my first attempt at this kit (Centuri or Semroc). Aftermath: |
#3
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The Goblin also fell victim on this day. With the winds fairly low, I decided it was time to go for its first D-powerd flight (and my first D-powered launch as a BAR).
I used an old D12-7 (engine code 26Q5 (May 26, 1986, I believe)), and suppose I saw my first ever CATO. (I have used at least half a dozen leftover old engines as old as this one, but no problems with them.) It didn't explode so much as incinerate the inside of the rocket. The thing went up kind of slow and with a whooshing sound. It had an odd glow about it. Aftermath: |
#4
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Ouch!! That really hurts! Been there and done that. Looks to me like it should be
repairable. It's not all that bad as it could have been. Spend plenty of time analysing it before you embark on a plan to repair/rebuild. You'll be surprised at how such models, after sustaining damage similar to this, can be rebuilt to look as good as new. Keep us posted.
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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR. |
#5
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Here's a blur of the only rocket that survived the day completely unscathed, the Mini Bertha, as she streaks off the pad on a 1/2A3:
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#6
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What happened to your Goblin is the very same that happened to my vintage FSI OSO kit
not too long ago (tried launching with the F7-6 for the NAR OOP motor testing program). Suffered a cato just like yours and burned the body tube into two sections (since fully repaired)....
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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR. |
#7
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Those are some sweet looking rockets, real bummer about the casualties. Your pics of the birds prior to their demise give them some justice, that shuttle looks awesome. Good luck with the repairs...
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#8
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Quote:
Thanks for the encouragement. The yellow orbiter should be a relatively easy fix, and the pod is intact, but I was thinking more along the lines of a total rebuild on the big white shuttle glider. As I understand it, the Space Shuttle is a pretty touchy kit to get to fly and glide correctly. The thing didn't fly right the first time, so I was thinking adding more glue and paint would just make it more out of balance. I'm not sure what went wrong. There was a light breeze, so I had the rod pointed a bit towards the wind. Maybe that is a no-no with this rocket. Also, one of the paper elevation flaps is a little warped so perhaps that's a factor. Maybe the flaps weren't set equally and caused the rocket to arc... |
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Quote:
What you're describing is similar to what I've seen of the flight characteristics of the Estes SR-71 kit. I built my daughter's, and we've launched it twice (to date). The first time, in a good breeze and using the C6-5, flew perfectly. The second time, it went about 15 feet before it powered back into the ground. My only guess is the way I had the wings aligned with the wind direction during launch, so that should give a possible hint....
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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR. |
#10
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Great photos and a great fleet of rockets. Sorry to hear about your losses. I'm sure you will be able to repair the shuttle and fly it again.
As far as the D motor goes, it could have been cause by a "cycled" motor, whre there was tempeerature variations, the outer casing expands and contracts, leaving a space inbetween the inside of the casing and the propellant, when the motors ignites, , instead of burning from the bottom, the burn is along the entire surface along the propellant, up the sides creating higher heat and pressure causing the motor to CATO. Motors are funny things at times, you just never know. Been there done that, and had some really great rockets destroyed beyond repair. Send the casing into Estes customer service dept as see what happens. |
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