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I was going to post about this launch system and related rockets later today, actually.
A Seattle area chain of drug stores called Bartell Drugs has these on hand and they are on sale for $7.99. They also have RTF mini-engined rockets - I picked up a "Sky Duster" (number 2462) - on sale for $5.99, and four-packs of 1/2A3-4Ts (with wadding), also on sale for $5.99. The other rocket they had in the Bartell's I was in was the "Fat Jax". I had not heard of the rockets or that launch system before (though it's the same launch pad that's in the Moon Mutt launch sets and a standard-issue current version of the Electron Beam controller), nor had I seen 1/2A motors in mass-market packages (the colorful ones that also include wadding) before. Nice list of Semroc rockets though I'm not sure I'd be comfortable launching some on your list from a 19 inch launch rod (two sections about 9.5 inches long). I have a Mark II, Aphelion, Astron, My Boid, Astro Jr., Constellation and Start all in flying condition, with several others listed either on hand or on their way. I also have cloned the X-Ray and have it ready to fly. I will have to give a couple a try on this little launch stand. At Bartell's sale prices one can get an RTF rocket, a launcher AND four motors for $20 plus tax. Add four AA cells and you can fly four times. Quite a deal, actually.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#3
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The third of the three new RTF rockets is the Nitro (see: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBGNM ). I'm glad to hear that the mini motors also come with wadding--"The Red Couch" store next door to my building is going to carry the new RTF rockets/Mini Pad & Electron Beam controller/mini motor packs display rack! Regarding launching the Semroc rockets that I listed from the Mini Launch Pad, this pad is "placarded" for use only in winds up to 5 mph because of its short launch rod. Also:
Even with the lowest-impulse 1/4A3-3T engines, the rather heavy (for their size) Bandito and Moon Mutt (and similar-size mini-engine rockets) have well in excess of the minimum launch acceleration to fly safely from the Mini Launch Pad. These two videos (see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mjpeRvRYpI&NR=1 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2W5HAXMY64 ) show a Bandito and a Moon Mutt being launched from a Mini Launch Pad in a small park, using 1/4A3-3T engines. In addition, this video by the same person (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWlA...feature=related ) shows the Bandito flying from the Mini Launch Pad on a 1/2A3-4T (which isn't one of the Bandito's recommended engines, yet the flight was completely successful). The lighter balsa-and-paper Semroc rockets that are within the pad's rocket size limits (up to 16" long and 1" in diameter) would have even greater liftoff acceleration.
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 07-21-2011 at 01:30 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
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Well, I stand corrected
....flying models up near the limit described above (1 inch diameter, 1.5 ounces or less with no motor loaded) off of the mini launcher works just fine.
Here are pictures of two of the Semroc rockets Blackshire listed above including one that is 1.39 ounces sans motor and wadding. It (the Aphelion KV-26) is also shown in a liftoff shot. That flight, on an Estes A8-3, was nominal save for the big smile dent in the NC (the second time in three flights this has happened). That's not an issue of the launcher, though. The last window shows this launcher set, plus the three rockets that are being sold alongside it, along with packs of 1/2A3-4Ts, in some Bartell Drug stores here in the Seattle area. It's funny that I've found variations on the sale prices at different stores - and some store have motors and some do not. But yes, this launcher can work fine with the Semroc rockets that Blackshire has listed above -of that I am now quite convinced.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#5
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That's actually a great little LPR launcher.
I used mine for a while and still keep it in my range box as a standby launcher. It takes up very little room when disassembled. In the past they've been on EBAY for $.99! I've always used a 1/8" X 36" launch rod on it. The picture shows it with my MMX Sky Writer and MMX adapter.
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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! |
#6
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 08-01-2011 at 03:02 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done made a mistake. |
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I didn't measure the winds, but based on prior measurements I'd guess 2 mph gusting to 5mph. Pretty light and within the stated limits.
The Aphelion is one of Semroc's RTB kits - it has an elastic shock cord that is 30 inches from the top of the body tube to the base of the nose cone. It certainly seems it should be long enough. I used orange instead of yellow for the base color, but otherwise followed the kit's face card scheme. The Moon Mutt is short and has a 12 inch 'chute - a silly combo. These new RTFs are much more sensible - longer bodies and a 6 inch 'chute - which is plenty for a rocket that weighs less than an ounce including a spent mini motor on descent and which has plastic fins and nose.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 08-01-2011 at 01:30 PM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
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These new RTFs all use the same cone, but in different colors of course (green, orange, black).
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#10
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Alas, I haven't seen anything Estes in WalMart the past couple years (here in north Texas). Doug .
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YORF member #11 |
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