Flight Log - 2011-09-03 - Rich DeAngelis's Nike-X

The Nike-X: One of my favorite '70s kits. This design was inspired by air defense missiles. The real Nike-X project was begun, but cancelled before it saw the light of day; this is only a suggestion to what the real one would have looked like.  The pseudo-second-stage fins and the great Black & White decals are the highlight of the design.

I have modified this kit by adding an altimeter payload bay ("Iris"), which adds 3 inches and 17.5 grams of weight. Of course, now she's just a bit too heavy to fly safely with A8-3 motors. (Iris is named after the Greek god of the rainbow. She is a messenger of the gods, linking the gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown higher than torch of the Statue of Liberty, including its base.

Flight Date: 2011-09-03
Rocket Name: Nike-X
Kit Name: Estes - Nike-X {Kit} (1270) [1975-1984]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: B6-4
Launch Site: Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Actual Altitude: 200 Feet

Good flight and recovery. I must remember to not use a -4 delay again, had the erratic winds this day been stronger this might have weathercocked and nose-dived pretty far and maybe augered-in. Good flight and a reliable recovery on nylon parachute. About 200 feet altitude. Altimeter battery charging circuit is dead and it was not onboard.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes B6-4

 

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