The Alpha: What can I say? Ask anybody, they probably have one or two. This was built from the original 1974 kit, bundled with the starter kit / launcher for about $14 and some change. I ordered it when I was 13 yrs. directly from Estes mail order, sending bills and change in an envelope without telling my parents because I was too afraid they would say I couldn't get it. It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission! It was a rugged, good flyer. It has since been moth-balled, the shock cord is rotted. I restored it to flying contidion one day when I was bored. It received a new Kevlar shock cord mount and a better plastic parachute with longer shroud lines. I also added a small payload section to the top, making this rocket 2-1/4" taller and 5 grams (0.176 oz) heavier. I flew it with an A8 on a windy day, and I was suprised how straight it flew, reaching 210 feet apogee and going up to 71 mph (104 ft/sec.). Can't wait to try this on a B or C this weekend!
| Flight Date: | 2013-08-10 |
| Rocket Name: | Alpha |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Alpha {Kit} (25) [1966-] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | B6-4 |
| Launch Site: | Downingtown Middle School |
| Actual Altitude: | 484 Feet |
Today I get the chance to push the restored Alpha beyond 500 feet – or so I hope. Having only flown this with an altimeter using an A8 so far, this was to be all new test data.
This B6 motor fired up just fine, accelerating off the rod at 19.1 Gs. The motor burned for 8/10 second and averaged 7 Gs for this light rocket – just a bit stronger than the A8 test flights. The rocket reached a top speed of 126 mph at motor burnout, then coasted while still going straight up. The ejection charge fired quite a bit early after only 2.8 seconds – the rocket only reached 447 feet at that point.
In the next 2/10 seconds it tumbled up another 37 feet to an apogee of 484 feet while the parachute unfurled. The home-made 10” parachute with a spill hole returned with such little oscillation I thought it was wadded, but it was fine. Descending at 8 mph, it landed in the grass about 250 feet away. Flight time was 38.2 seconds. A perfect flight. This Alpha hasn’t been that high off the ground in about 37 years!
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes B6-4 |
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