The Andromeda: This is the original Estes 1977 kit. It was started in 1977 but not finished until 2011! I have added an Iris altimeter payload bay when I completed it. During initial string stability tests, the rocket buckled and folded in half! To repair, about 2 inches were cut from body tube, so even with the 3 inches of altimeter bay; this rocket is only 1.3 inches longer than the standard model. The two sections are now joined by a coupler; which makes for easier transporting by separating the two halves. To prevent losing the lower half if it ever separates during recovery, I attached a small Kevlar cord between the two halves. It needed about 19grams of nose-weight to pass string-test, but flies straight up under moderate winds. This model got a lot of oohs and ahhs at the launch, as nobody else in the local club has one. To me, gloss black seems to look nicer than the recommended flat black. To that I added a small amount of silver trim, around the engine rings, the rectangles on the engine pods, the antennas, and some rings around the body tube ends. This model takes off fairly slow and majestically. With its large fins, I wouldn't want to fly this in stronger winds, as the weather-cocking could produce a near lawn dart, and its length would almost guarantee a folded body tube and fractured fins. This rocket has flown higher than the US Capitol building in Washington DC, and the Flatiron Building in NY.
Flight Date: | 2011-09-03 |
Rocket Name: | Andromeda |
Kit Name: | Estes - Andromeda {Kit} (1273) [1975-1982] |
Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
Motors: | C6-3 |
Launch Site: | Fort Indiantown Gap, PA |
Actual Altitude: | 300 Feet |
I remembered to turn the larger fins into the wind to reduce weathercocking (and hoping the model doesn't rotate too quickly after liftoff.) Good slow liftoff, and not much wobble under thrust. Nice ejection and perfect decent under a good chute. Almost caught it in the air. Likely reached 300 feet. Altimeter battery charging circuit died and was not carried on board.
Stage | Motor(s) |
---|---|
1 | Estes C6-3 |
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