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  #1  
Old 10-31-2021, 11:49 AM
georgegassaway's Avatar
georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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Default TRACTOR Helix rocket (no Terri Garr)

So, I made a Tractor Rocket with two C6 engines near the nose. Canted outward a lot. And also skewed to make it spin.



Had some problems last week with the first two flights, using a rail. Roll torque issues. Video here, plus video of my Pumpkin Surprise rocket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bml...eature=youtu.be

As some suggested, I changed it to use an axial lug thru the center. Which was simple in theory but not so much when it comes to getting the recovery system to eject from a rocket that has holes at both ends.
But finally a simple-enough solution came to mind.


Tail plug has telescoping tubing that fits over the rocket's lug, for a good pressure seal.



Flew it twice yesterday. But flight 1 tangled the ignition leads, so it only got up about 20-30 feet and crashed. No significant damage.


So, i flew it again, this time CHAD staged C6-0 to C6-3. And it worked GREAT (albeit with some weathercocking).


It spins quickly, with a nice helical smoke trail. Also the sound pulsates, reminiscent of the sound of a rocket going quickly unstable, but this is stable.


I figure it is now "operational", but i'm going to do a bit more with the umbilical method.

Video of those flights here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu45HZ-psjw

Note how useful it can be to have a camera at the pad, looking up.

For a lot more info, and modifications for the axial lug:

https://tinyurl.com/ysm7m43k
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Last edited by georgegassaway : 10-31-2021 at 12:11 PM.
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  #2  
Old 10-31-2021, 12:41 PM
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That's a very interesting and innovative model!
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  #3  
Old 10-31-2021, 04:49 PM
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ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
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Pretty darned cool.
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  #4  
Old 10-31-2021, 05:18 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
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Awesome stuff, George!
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  #5  
Old 10-31-2021, 06:44 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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That's a great project George.

Really cool with well engineered design and fun.

Well done.
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  #6  
Old 10-31-2021, 07:47 PM
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Build one using some old FSI E60's.......
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  #7  
Old 11-01-2021, 01:45 AM
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The FSI E60 was the worst turd of a motor ever produced.
I had a cato rate well over 50%. They were large firecrackers that sometimes acted like a rocket motor.
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Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
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ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
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  #8  
Old 11-23-2021, 07:08 PM
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georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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So, I tried 4 more flights Saturday. The 3rd did not light one motor, but stayed on the pad, no damage (ignitor clip issue).

1st and 4th flights were two C6-3's and flew well. Second flight was CHAD staged (C6-0 to C6-3), it weathercocked pretty badly.

Below, flight #4.


More info here: https://tinyurl.com/w4w4yh3j

Video is here: https://youtu.be/2RJBhbJmogI

These were the first time I used MJG's BP e-matches (starters) for Estes type BP engines. I had read about them on this forum, and saw good reviews. Worked nicely.

https://electricmatch.com/rocketry/...rocket-starters
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  #9  
Old 11-23-2021, 10:05 PM
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That’s so cool! LOVE the twisted smoke trails.
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  #10  
Old 11-24-2021, 12:11 AM
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Once you got the ignition wires out of the way, those flights were impressive!
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