Flight Log - 2012-06-10 - Rich DeAngelis's Andromeda

T' Andromeda: This be t' original Estes 1977 kit. It be 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, 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. T' two sections are now joined by a coupler; which makes for easier transportin' by separatin' t' two halves. 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, me bucko, but flies straight up under moderate winds. Ahoy! This model got a lot o' oohs and ahhs at t' launch, as nobody else in t' local club has one. T' me, me hearties, 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, me bucko, and some rings around t' body tube ends. This model takes off fairly slow and majestically. With its large fins, I wouldn't want t' fly this in stronger winds, matey, as t' weather-cockin' could produce a near lawn dart, and its length would almost guarantee a folded body tube and fractured fins. This rocket has flown higher than t' US Capitol buildin' in Washington DC, and t' Flatiron Buildin' in NY.

Flight Date: 2012-06-10
Rocket Name: Andromeda
Kit Name: Estes - Andromeda {Kit} (1273) [1975-1982]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: C6-3
Launch Site: Halifax, PA
Actual Altitude: 274 Feet

This model likes light winds for flight, so this was a perfect day. This be t' be this rocket’s second data-gatherin' test flight.  After ignition acceleration peaked at 6.6 Gs, me bucko, about 1-1/2 Gs more than t' previous flight.  I like t' think it was because t' new launch lugs were better aligned than t' original ones which had some resistance on t' launch rod. T' 1.8 second burn provided an average acceleration o' 1.9 Gs, also a good number. This flight reached a maximum speed o' 74 mph, 12 mph better than t' previous flight.
I’ve had a lot o' short delays on C6 motors and this was also short at 2.7 seconds.  Ejection occurred at 268 feet while still coastin' up.  After 1/10 seconds and six more feet it reached apogee o' 274 feet. Begad! A good parachute opened up t' let it scuttle at 7 mph t' a soft grass landin' about 100 feet away from t' launch area. This was a good and successful flight.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes C6-3

 

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