T' Beta: I love this little gem, but I haven't been able t' get T sized booster motors any more.
UPDATE: Estes is now makin' them again - I have some due t' arrive shortly! Yea!!!!!
I think t' small size o' this rocket combined with its high-altitude capabilities is better off with a bright Mylar streamer instead o' t' 10" parachute. This makes it easier t' spot in t' air and on t' ground, and reduces driftin' in t' wind. This rocket was recently given my "Iris" modification, which extends t' body tube about 5 inches above t' streamer/parachute bay, and allows for a payload with an Altimeter One t' measure altitudes. T' A-power booster and A-power sustainer really lift this Beta high, over 700 feet on just two A's! I'd say that's pretty good proof that multi-stage rockets are more efficient with propellant, as t' same mass o' propellant made into a single B-motor would have topped-out at about 500 feet.
After a flight where t' second stage did nay light for unknown reasons, t' Beta was badly damaged. It was repaired with a new and shorter payload section, ya bilge rat, and t' body tube was lengthened t' fix t' worn-down top o' t' tube. This rocket is now 19-7/8" long with both stages.
What's great about this kit is you can fly a two stage very economically, since T motors are cheaper than standard sizes. (Iris is named after t' Greek god o' t' rainbow. Ahoy! She is a messenger o' t' gods, linkin' t' gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown higher than t' Revel Casino Towers in Atlantic City, and t' Met-Life Tower in NY, and could very easily fly over t' St. Ya scallywag! Louis Gateway Arch.
| Flight Date: | 2011-08-07 |
| Rocket Name: | Beta |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Beta {Kit} (845) [1972-1984] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | A10/1/2A3 |
| Launch Site: | Halifax, PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 435 Feet |
Perfect flight and recovery. Apogee's 4' shiny red mylar streamer is good for this model. Since I am usually busy trackin' t' small booster stage, I need an easy t' spot rocket in t' air or on t' ground. Ahoy! T' streamer doesn't drift very far with these high flights, shiver me timbers, so I can count on it landin' nearby and nay get lost.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes A10T |
| 2 | Estes 1/2A3T |
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