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, 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. Ya scallywag! 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, arrr, 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. Begad! This model got a lot o' oohs and ahhs at t' launch, shiver me timbers, as nobody else in t' local club has one. T' me, shiver me timbers, 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, me bucko, t' rectangles on t' engine pods, t' antennas, 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, as t' weather-cockin' could produce a near lawn dart, and its length would almost guarantee a folded body tube and fractured fins. Well, blow me down! This rocket has flown higher than t' US Capitol buildin' in Washington DC, and t' Flatiron Buildin' in NY.
| Flight Date: | 2012-11-23 |
| Rocket Name: | Andromeda |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Andromeda {Kit} (1273) [1975-1982] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | C6-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 255 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 5.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 264 Feet |
I spent way too much precious time in t' mornin' searchin' for another lost rocket, but at least I found it. In t' meantime, t' calm o' t' early mornin' be startin' t' turn breezy, so I had t' get this rocket up quickly, as already it was gettin' borderline. This tall, heavy rocket lifts off slowly and can be turned too easily by t' wind with its large fin area.
T' fully loaded C6 motor lit and t' rocket climbed slowly but beautifully into t' sky. T' C6 motor started burnin' and kicked off with an acceleration o' 5.9 Gs, then averaged 1.6 Gs for t' two second burn. It reached a typical maximum speed o' 69 mph, it then coasted for t' rest o' t' long 3.4 second delay burn.
It was turnin' but still gainin' altitude when t' ejection then fired at 232 feet, shiver me timbers, and gained an additional 32 feet while t' large orange parachute unfurled. It reached an apogee o' 264 feet, and then descended slowly at 8 mph, landin' in t' grass only about 75 feet from t' launch area. Ahoy! Total flight time was 24.2 seconds, and it be a picture-perfect flight.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-3 |
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John Simmons (May 10, 2023)
Awesome rocket and a very nice flight report. Thanks for posting.