John Simmons's Page
AKA: Lakeroadster or HenryMac
Location: Central Colorado
Club Memberships: NAR
Favorite Rockets: Scratch Builds - Scratch Design
Biography:
Retired Mechanical Engineer
1960's and 1970's era Model Rocket Fanatic, Estes kits and many home made rockets.
Now that I'm retired looking to get back into the design / build phase of model rocketry again.
RocketReviews.com Pages:
2024-05-30
(BAR-16) The Estes Logo Rocket
Flight
Launch Report: Estes Logo Model Rocket Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is maiden launch of this rocket On Site Preparations I did not use any wadding for this rear eject spool design. There’s simply no room. For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute. This launch will use a E20-4W ... [More]
(BAR-12) P-40 Warhawk Odd-Roc
Flight
Launch Report: P-40 Warhawk Model Rocket Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is the maiden launch of this rocket On Site Preparations I used a Nomex chute protector for this rear eject spool design. For a parachute I used a 28” Nylon chute. This launch used a E20-4W Composite motor. This is ... [More]
BAR-11: Luke and Vader Dogfight. X-Wing Sustainer With TIE Fighter Booster
Flight
Launch Report: X-Wing Tie Fighter Dog Fight Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is a two-stage rocket. The Tie Fighter has a D12-0, The X-Wing has a C6-5. On Site Preparations For wadding I used some streamer material. For a parachute I used the 12” mylar chute. An Estes standard starter was ... [More]
(BAR-10) The Cygnus Probe Ship
Flight
Launch Report: Cygnus Probe Ship With Body Tube Extension Date: 2024-05-30 Background This is the 3 rd launch of the Cygnus Probe Ship. This version has the longer body tube. The previous launches were both unstable. On Site Preparations For wadding I used a Nomex recovery bag. For a ... [More]
2023-12-07
Low Boom SST
OpenRocket Design
I built this from data found on the internet, not actual as measured parts. Use at your own risk. [More]
2022-07-26
(BAR-10) The Cygnus Probe Ship
Flight
Ignition was delayed, slight hesitation as is typical with a composite motor.
The rocket accelerated quickly, plenty of speed at launch rod exit (28.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from the west. The rocket did not weathercock.
Just like the 1st flight, the rocket was ... [More]
(BAR-09) THUNK! Finless, Gas Dynamic Stabilized
Flight
Ignition was quick, almost no hesitation lighting the motor. Very minimal time lapse between ignition and lift off.
The rocket accelerated quickly, plenty of speed exiting the launch silo (32.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from the north. The rocket did not weathercock. It ... [More]
(BAR-08) "Ahpla" 2 Stage Alpha Variant
Flight
Ignition was quick, almost no hesitation lighting the motor.
Very minimal time lapse between ignition and lift off.
The rocket accelerated quickly, plenty of speed at launch rod exit (27.2 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from the north. The rocket did not weathercock.
It ... [More]
(BAR-05) F-79 Lonewolf
Flight
This is the 2nd flight for the F-79.
First launch was 07-08-2022: Flight was stable but the plastic parachute shredded away from the shroud lines.
This flight uses a pair of D12-3 motors (instead of two D12-5's) and I made new 18" parachutes that have the shroud lines going up over the top ... [More]
2022-07-08
(BAR-07) Mercury Capsule Abort (LES)
Flight
Ignition was quick due to the e-matches and all (3) motors ignited.
The rocket accelerated quickly, plenty of speed at launch rod exit (48.7 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from the north. The rocket did not weathercock.
The rocket was initially stable while under thrust, but ... [More]
(BAR-05) F-79 Lonewolf
Flight
Ignition was quick due to the e-matches and both motors ignited.
The rocket accelerated quickly, plenty of speed at launch rod exit (29.5 mph per sim)
Winds were less than 5 mph and from the north. The rocket did not weathercock.
The rocket was stable during thrust and coast phase.
The ... [More]
