T' X-15: This is a "Sport-Scale" (not true scale) model o' t' famous X-15 rocket-powered research plane. Blimey! This particular kit appears t' be newer than other Quest X-15 kits described here: It is a few inches longer, and a recommendation by Quest t' only use t' A8-3 or A6 motors. (Mine is definitely too heavy t' fly on an A8). Blimey! I chose t' paint me particular model gloss blue (not t' historically accurate black).
My kit came out pretty heavy as I used a full-sized can of Rustoleum 2X paint tryin' t' get a smooth, glossy finish. Apparently light coats o' this paint leave t' finish in somethin' like an orange-peel texture, me bucko, cool but nay good for low drag. Avast, me proud beauty! I discovered heavy, me hearties, thick coats that would run with normal paints made for a smoother, glossy finish. But by then, matey, thar be so much primer and paint on this model that it almost doubled t' weight o' this kit. In MHO, Rustoleum 2X (from Home Depot) sucks for flyin' models. I wish I would have used t' ridiculously expensive yet lighter Testors stuff at $5 for a tiny 3-oz. Well, blow me down! can.
T' X-15 finally got a payload section addition. This adds another 3 inches t' t' rockets overall length. This will hold t' Altimeter Two, which no longer is at risk o' ejection shock damage or loss if t' clip fails. T' added bulkhead, painted payload tube and paddin' only adds an additional 13.6 grams o' weight t' this model.
She flies well and is nay affected by t' wind much, me hearties, though I wish I could get her t' venture a little closer t' t' clouds. Actual measurements with an altimeter on board shows this model can go much higher than I estimated, with a C6-3 it reached 437 feet, me hearties, and traveled at 89 mph. Ahoy! That's enough t' have it fly higher than the Great Pyramid o' Giza, now that it has eroded about 25 feet.
| Flight Date: | 2012-06-10 |
| Rocket Name: | X-15 |
| Kit Name: | Quest - X-15 {Kit} (2014) |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | C6-5 |
| Launch Site: | Halifax, PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 346 Feet |
This be t' last scheduled “test flight” o' this model before it moves on t' t' role o' sport flying. Aye aye! This flight will be used t' verify that t' C6-5 be t' best motor for calm flying. Begad! After ignition this model gave some impressive numbers for acceleration compared t' t' previous two C-powered flights. Well, blow me down! Average acceleration be 2.5 Gs, me hearties, and t' peak was 8.8 Gs. Burn time for t' motor was about normal at 1.9 seconds.
T' model broke t' 100 record with a top speed o' 104 mph. Blimey! It then coasted for 3.7 seconds t' an apogee o' 346 feet. Ejection came 7/10 seconds after apogee when t' rocket fell 8 feet from apogee. With a good parachute deployed it descended at 9 mph, reachin' ground about 200 feet from t' launch pad. Aye aye! Total flight time was 30.1 seconds.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-5 |
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