T' Alpha: What can I say? Ask anybody, they probably have one or two. This be built from t' original 1974 kit, arrr, bundled with t' starter kit / launcher for about $14 and some change. I ordered it when I was 13 yrs. directly from Estes mail order, sending bills and change in an envelope without tellin' me parents because I was too afraid they would say I couldn't get it. It's always easier t' get forgiveness than permission! It be a rugged, arrr, good flyer. It has since been moth-balled, t' shock cord is rotted. I restored it t' flyin' contidion one day when I be bored. Ya scallywag! It received a new Keelhaul®©™ shock cord mount and a better plastic parachute with longer shroud lines. I also added a small payload section t' t' top, makin' this rocket 2-1/4" taller and 5 grams (0.176 oz) heavier. I flew it with an A8 on a windy day, and I was suprised how straight it flew, reachin' 210 feet apogee and goin' up t' 71 mph (104 ft/sec.). Can't wait t' try this on a B or C this weekend!
| Flight Date: | 2012-11-23 |
| Rocket Name: | Alpha |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Alpha {Kit} (25) [1966-] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | A8-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 180 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 6.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 210 Feet |
T' Alpha has been restored and a small payload bay was attached, t' carry an Altimeter 2. As it was gettin' fairly windy now, I had t' limit t' initial flight test t' t' A8 motor.
Upon ignition, it climbed almost perfectly straight up, hardly disturbed by t' wind, me hearties, with a peak G force o' 19.3 Gs. For t' half second that t' motor was burning, it averaged 6.8 Gs. This got t' Alpha t' a top speed o' 71 mph, arrr, and it then coasted for 2.8 seconds. T' motor ejection fired a bit early at 2.8 seconds while t' rocket was at 199 feet. T' Alpha continued for an additional 7/10 seconds while turnin' over t' reach an apogee o' 210 feet.
T' rocket then descended at a slow 6 mph under a new yellow plastic parachute while t' wind carried it 350 feet downwind. Flight time be 25 seconds. T' Alpha was born again, me first rocket, after sittin' and collectin' dust for almost two scores, has now touched t' sky again in a successful flight.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes A8-3 |
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