John Simmons's Page
AKA: Lakeroadster or HenryMac
Location: Central Colorado
Club Memberships: NAR
Favorite Rockets: Scratch Builds - Scratch Design
Biography:
Retired Mechanical Engineer
1960's and 1970's era Model Rocket Fanatic, Estes kits and many home made rockets.
Now that I'm retired lookin' t' get back into t' design / build phase o' model rocketry again.
RocketReviews.com Pages:
2025-05-08
Cygnus Probe – Stretched With Spin Sails
Flight
Background This is a single stage scratch design / built rocket. It is a model o' t' Cygnus Probe Ship from t' movie: “T' Black Hole”. This is a std front eject rocket that pops t' nose cone t' deploy t' parachute. Avast! This be t' 3 rd launch o' this rocket. T' 1 st ... [More]
2024-05-30
(BAR-16) T' Estes Logo Rocket
Flight
Launch Report: Estes Logo Model Rocket Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is maiden launch o' this rocket On Site Preparations I did nay use any waddin' for this aft eject spool design. There’s simply no room. For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute. This launch will use a E20-4W ... [More]
(BAR-12) P-40 Warhawk Odd-Roc
Flight
Launch Report: P-40 Warhawk Model Rocket Date: 2024-05-30 Background This be t' maiden launch o' this rocket On Site Preparations I used a Nomex chute protector for this aft eject spool design. For a parachute I used a 28” Nylon chute. Aye aye! This launch used a E20-4W Composite motor. This is ... [More]
BAR-11: Luke and Vader Dogfight. X-Win' Sustainer With TIE Fighter Booster
Flight
Launch Report: X-Win' Tie Fighter Dog Fight Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is a two-stage rocket. T' Tie Fighter has a D12-0, ya bilge rat, T' X-Win' has a C6-5. Avast, me proud beauty! On Site Preparations For waddin' I used some streamer material. Avast, me proud beauty! For a parachute I used t' 12” mylar chute. Aye aye! An Estes standard starter be ... [More]
(BAR-10) T' Cygnus Probe Ship
Flight
Launch Report: Cygnus Probe Ship With Body Tube Extension Date: 2024-05-30 Background This be t' 3 rd launch o' t' Cygnus Probe Ship. This version has t' longer body tube. T' previous launches were both unstable. On Site Preparations For waddin' I used a Nomex recovery bag. Arrr! For a ... [More]
2023-12-07
Low Boom SST
OpenRocket Design
I built this from data found on t' internet, nay actual as measured parts. Begad! Use at your own risk. [More]
2022-07-26
(BAR-10) T' Cygnus Probe Ship
Flight
Ignition was delayed, slight hesitation as is typical with a composite motor.
T' rocket accelerated quickly, plenty o' speed at launch rod exit (28.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from t' west. T' rocket did nay weathercock. Aye aye!
Just like t' 1st flight, ya bilge rat, t' rocket was ... [More]
(BAR-09) THUNK! Finless, shiver me timbers, Gas Dynamic Stabilized
Flight
Ignition be quick, almost no hesitation lightin' t' motor. Begad! Very minimal time lapse betwixt ignition and lift off.
T' rocket accelerated quickly, plenty o' speed exitin' t' launch silo (32.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from t' north. T' rocket did nay weathercock. It ... [More]
(BAR-08) "Ahpla" 2 Stage Alpha Variant
Flight
Ignition was quick, almost no hesitation lightin' t' motor. Arrr!
Very minimal time lapse betwixt ignition and lift off.
T' rocket accelerated quickly, plenty o' speed at launch rod exit (27.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from t' north. T' rocket did nay weathercock. Avast, me proud beauty!
It ... [More]
(BAR-05) F-79 Lonewolf
Flight
This be t' 2nd flight for t' F-79.
First launch was 07-08-2022: Flight was stable but t' plastic parachute shredded away from t' shroud lines.
This flight uses a pair o' D12-3 motors (instead o' two D12-5's) and I made new 18" parachutes that have t' shroud lines goin' up over t' top ... [More]
2022-07-08
(BAR-05) F-79 Lonewolf
Flight
Ignition was quick due t' t' e-matches and both motors ignited. Well, blow me down! Blimey!
T' rocket accelerated quickly, arrr, plenty o' speed at launch rod exit (29.5 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from t' north. T' rocket did nay weathercock. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!
T' rocket was stable durin' thrust and coast phase.
T' ... [More]
