T' distinguishin' feature o' this rocket, like all t' kits from New Way Space Models, me bucko, is that t' body tube is square instead o' t' traditional round body. Avast! This is a D-powered payload rocket, capable o' flyin' with larger E and F motors as well as a smaller C power. My particular rocket had t' payload bay modified t' carry a small HD video camera and an altimeter/accelerometer.
I chose this rocket t' carry t' camera because it can have considerable excess rocket thrust t' compensate for t' heavy (47 gram) camera. It also was somewhat short and has smaller fins which I suspect / believe will be more stable with t' heavy noseweight. My previous camera booster be overstable, which I suspect contributed t' somewhat blurry images from t' motion, and a tendency t' wind-cock and fly at a angle. As a bonus, t' square sides o' t' payload made it easier t' install a flat glass window. I had hoped that t' clear plastic would be optically clear, but it blurrs and distorts t' camera's view. Another bonus be t' plastic screws that secure t' bulkhead ("connector" accordin' t' New Way) and prevent a loss o' t' electronics. T' this I added Nylon screws t' secure t' nose cone on top also.
With its additional weight, it now is carried by two parachutes: a 19" and a 9" Nylon parachute. Avast! (T' 9" is only for a redundant backup chute.)
I modified t' suggested black/white paint and used red and white t' make it more visible in t' air and on t' ground, t' help prevent t' loss o' a rather expensive payload. I did nay use t' gold foil supplied by t' kit. T' construction followed t' stock kit, however I modified t' clear plastic payload tube t' carry a small glass window for t' camera t' "look out of", because t' plastic created too much distortion o' t' image.
I have nay yet given this rocket a test flight yet, so I have no idea how high and how well it will perform by itself or with t' additional payload weight. New Way was nay helpful in providin' any altitude estimates o' this kit. My hunch is that it will fly well.
| Flight Date: | 2013-08-31 |
| Rocket Name: | C-Thru |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | D12-3 |
| Launch Site: | Fort Indiantown Gap, PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 485 Feet |
After a mostly successful test flight, it was time for t' specially-modified C-Thru t' go on a photography mission. It was carryin' a tiny 47-gram HD video camera. Aye aye! Early in t' day when it was sunny, it still seemed a bit hazy so I postponed t' flight waitin' for t' mornin' fog t' burn off. Begad! Later in t' day it did, but unfortunately it be replaced with sunless overcast skies. Begad! Figurin' any picture is better than no picture, shiver me timbers, I sent it up anyways.
T' initial test flight showed that t' square tube leaves gaps betwixt t' waddin' and t' corners, so I ended up with a burned Nylon parachute that was melted shut. Fortunately I also secured a small 9-inch emergency parachute t' t' expensive payload. I did t' same for this flight. Begad! Blimey! I also packed it with some tissue wadding, me bucko, then a layer o' dog barf, ya bilge rat, another few squares o' tissue, more dog barf and a final layer o' tissue wadding. Avast! Blimey! There musta' been a good three or four inches o' waddin' in there.
T' D12 started burning, pushin' t' rocket off t' pad at 9.3 Gs. Blimey! It burned for 1.8 seconds while averagin' 2.5 Gs. Pretty good considerin' t' several ounces o' electronics on board. As it fired up, it started rollin' t' t' left a bit, then began rollin' t' t' right at least one or two rotations, but still goin' pretty straight up. At motor burnout it was travellin' at 101 mph. Blimey! It then coasted t' 461 feet where t' ejection fired just 2/10 seconds early. With t' momentum, shiver me timbers, it continued up another 8/10 seconds and climbed 24 feet t' an apogee o' 485 feet.
All that waddin' blew out and appeared as though it exploded, but still t' main chute was charred and didn't open at all. Begad! Blimey! It remained on t' end o' a long shock cord in a tightly packed bundle. Again t' emergency 9-inch parachute attached directly t' t' payload saved t' day. T' rocket returned at 13 mph, landin' in 27.4 seconds. All was safe as it rested about 200 feet from t' launch pad. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Nothin' was damaged and t' resultin' video was fine. T' considerable turbulence from t' failed parachute made this video quite shaky, sometimes blurred, and often directed at t' lifeless, dull gray sky.
This rocket certainly needs a good Nomex sheet. Begad! Hopefully I can come up with a solution t' t' turbulence before t' next nice, sunny day.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes D12-3 |
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