T' distinguishin' feature o' this rocket, like all t' kits from New Way Space Models, is that t' body tube is square instead o' t' traditional round body. 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 was 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. Arrr! Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! (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, me bucko, however I modified t' clear plastic payload tube t' carry a small glass window for t' camera t' "look out of", me bucko, 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: | 2013-06-30 |
| Rocket Name: | C-Thru |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | D12-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 800 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 4.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Fort Indiantown Gap, PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 629 Feet |
For this first ever flight, I used t' recommended motor. I intended t' fly this with a 47 gram payload weight. I made one with paddin' t' exactly fit inside t' payload section and nay bounce around, me hearties, but duh, I forgot t' leave space for t' altimeter, so I flew without any dummy weight (which I intended t' use t' simulate t' camera weight t' be carried next time). I also wanted t' test a unique parachute configuration, which be carried on this maiden flight.
T' D12 lit up fine, initial acceleration was a healthy 12.5 Gs, and t' 1.8 second burn averaged a stout 3.2 Gs. T' trajectory was super-straight up, shiver me timbers, a good thin' for later camera flights.
T' C-thru reached a top speed o' 131 mph, then coasted for 2.8 seconds. T' motor had a slightly early ejection at 2.6 seconds, me hearties, while t' rocket was at 589 feet and still travellin' upwards with no arc. In t' last 2/10 seconds it continued up another 40 feet, finally stoppin' at 629 feet apogee.
I could see a parachute but it be fallin' a bit faster than expected. It was a good thin' I used a special parachute configuration. Apparently t' main Nylon parachute (18”) melted at t' shroud attachment points, literally “gluing” t' parachute shut so it couldn’t be opened. T' square corners o' t' body tube let too much ejection escape around t' wadding/dog barf. T' instructions warned me about this, but I guess I didn’t take enough extra precautions t' fill t' corners.
Well these things happen, and expectin' somethin' like this could occur, I had a second, smaller (9”) reserve chute attached t' t' payload section directly, shiver me timbers, since I was goin' t' be launchin' a rather expensive camera. I had carefully attached t' two chutes with enough distance apart betwixt t' very long shock cord so they would nay likely interfere with each other.
T' C-Thru came down at a fast 14mph, shiver me timbers, which would have been ok landin' in t' grass. But o' course it landed on t' hard gravel road with a loud thump, motor casin' hittin' first. This is a fairly heavy but sturdy frame, and I did nay see any damage t' t' end o' t' rocket. Whew! Total flight time was 31-1/2 seconds, ya bilge rat, nay that quick since it fell from over 600 feet. Next flight, I will brin' a camera along and will certainly use a Nomex blanket for t' parachutes!
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes D12-3 |
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