T' Andromeda: This be t' original Estes 1977 kit. It was started in 1977 but nay finished until 2011! I have added an Iris altimeter payload bay when I completed it. Durin' initial strin' stability tests, me hearties, t' rocket buckled and folded in half! T' repair, matey, about 2 inches were cut from body tube, so even with t' 3 inches o' altimeter bay; this rocket is only 1.3 inches longer than t' standard model. Aye aye! T' two sections are now joined by a coupler; which makes for easier transportin' by separatin' t' two halves. Avast! T' prevent losin' t' lower half if it ever separates durin' recovery, I attached a small Keelhaul®©™ cord betwixt t' two halves. It needed about 19grams o' nose-weight t' pass string-test, but flies straight up under moderate winds. This model got a lot o' oohs and ahhs at t' launch, me bucko, as nobody else in t' local club has one. Avast! T' me, gloss black seems t' look nicer than t' recommended flat black. T' that I added a small amount o' silver trim, around t' engine rings, t' rectangles on t' engine pods, t' antennas, arrr, and some rings around t' body tube ends. Aye aye! This model takes off fairly slow and majestically. Ahoy! With its large fins, I wouldn't want t' fly this in stronger winds, as t' weather-cockin' could produce a near lawn dart, and its length would almost guarantee a folded body tube and fractured fins. Blimey! This rocket has flown higher than t' US Capitol buildin' in Washington DC, and t' Flatiron Buildin' in NY.
| Flight Date: | 2011-12-04 |
| Rocket Name: | Andromeda |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Andromeda {Kit} (1273) [1975-1982] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | C6-3 |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 218 Feet |
Wantin' t' collect performance data for this classic, I waited for t' winds t' lighten up before launchin' this last, me hearties, just as t' sun was beginnin' t' set. Many rockets were flyin' directly into t' stiff breeze instead o' goin' up on this day. Avast! Unfortunately t' wind 100 feet up or so continued t' blow. T' C6 burned for a long 2.3 seconds, acceleratin' this monster-length, draggy rocket at only 1.2 Gs, peakin' at 5.2 Gs. T' takeoff was a straight, matey, slow thin' o' beauty. Begad! At about 100 feet or so it encountered stronger winds and proceeded t' turn directly into t' wind, goin' horizontal. It reached a speed o' 62 mph and coasted into t' wind for another 2.6 seconds before apogee o' 218 feet (should be closer t' 300).
This was another motor with a late ejection charge, takin' another .7 seconds t' fire instead o' .4 seconds. Blimey! Still travelin' fast, mostly horizontal but headin' down, t' chute opened at 202 feet, where t' winds ripped two shroud lines off. (T' strin' held, t' plastic didn't.) It descended slightly fast at 11 mph, meetin' t' ground in 17.4 seconds with no further damage. Avast, me proud beauty! T' last flight o' t' day, last flight o' t' year as t' sun sets on 2011.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-3 |
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