Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
I built the E-Qualizer as one of four experimental designs used for my NARTREK
Gold project. Only one survived the required 6 test flights and E-Qualizer
wasn't the one. E-Qualizer was an exercise to create a model optimized for the
long-burning, heavy, low initial thrust Estes E9-8 motor. It combines narrow
diameter and light weight with both conventional and tube fins to move the CP
well towards the aft end to balance the heavy motor. I have since found better
ways to do this. All that aside, it is a fun model to build and fly, which is
why I'm sharing it.
Construction:
To keep the experiment simple, I built E-Qualizer by re-combining the
components of the Custom Rockets Razor and the Vaughn Bros. TFNC kits.
Unfortunately, the excellent Vaughn product line is no longer available.
E-Qualizer is a deluxe design including G10 glass fins, a payload compartment large enough for a Perfectflite micro altimeter, and a nylon chute recovery system attached with a mini-carabiner.
Construction uses 5-minute epoxy (no Elmer's glue) is as follows:
E-Qualizer is pictured with the other 3 rockets used in my NARTREK Gold project (pictured left to right are Quest-4-Estes, PipeCleaner, Mongoose, and E-Qualizer). The other three designs are all found in the EMRR website and you can read more about the NARTREK Gold project in the SPORT ROCKETRY May-June 2004 issue.
Finishing:
Finishing was with Testors flat battleship gray primer spray and red for the
payload section.
Flight:
E-Qualizer boosts straight and briskly on the E9-8 and D12-7, even with a
breeze. Altimeter reported 1240' on the E9 and 740' on the D12, which works out
to a rough drag coefficient (Cd) of 2.2 or so for the design, a bit high even
by tube fin standards. I was only able to get 2 measurements before a crash
ruined the altimeter. E9-6 and D12-5 are also possible motor choices but eject
a bit early. I nearly lost it on a single flight on an E30-7--super fast, out
of sight, and appeared to be climbing to at least the 1500' at 390 mph
predicted by simulation. I was afraid of a shred and too chicken to fly it with
my MicroAlt in the E30 flight).
E-Qualizer flies pleasantly on C11-5 motors as well, equivalent to the performance of an Estes Big Daddy (350'). I have so far resisted the urge to fly E-Qualizer on an F21-8 as simulations predict nearly 2000' at 400 mph. It would probably survive structurally but a water landing would be a certainty at our island field here in San Diego.
I have been experimenting with an all-PVC, 29mm version of E-Qualizer to fly on G/H-power as well. First test flight on an E30-7 (with adapter) was perfect, however, the second flight CATO'd the E30 (front closure failure) and spectacularly torched the PVC rocket body (PVC would make a good nitrous hybrid motor, maybe). R&D continues.
Summary:
PRO: A good fun fly rocket, and easy to build. Flies the E9-8 without nose
weight despite weighing only 88 grams. Very stable in wind.
CON: Vaughn kits no longer available, but could be scratch built from parts. A small rocket, thus can be easily lost if flown over 1000'. It is also unnecessarily draggy (way too much fin area) but I have since found better ways to achieve good performance combining light tube fin designs flying heavy motors.
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