My Fleet
13mm Six
Art Applewhite

I've built or helped build three of these, and launched two of them. They are great fliers, but out of two launches I've seen two lawn darts. I did fit all of them with plastic streamers, as much to aid tracking as anything (but obviously that didn't help since they never deployed). I think I'm going to remove the streamer from "my" Six and fly it that way. Maybe it will work.

Recommended Engines

1/4A3-3T, 1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T

Launched

06/08/2011 A10-3T, lawn dart recovery, no damage

Alien Scoutship Flying Saucer
Centuri

This is one of my rockets from my "first period" of building and flying. I actually built two of these, thinking the second would look better than the first. I think I might actually be able to build one correctly now, but of course they no longer sell them. Still, it was always a crowd-pleaser, and it remains so today.

Recommended Engines

C6-0

Launched

09/01/2008 B6-0, AOK; C6-3, AOK
09/07/2008 C6-3, AOK (several times)
07/19/2009 C6-3, AOK (3 times)
10/04/2010 C6-3, AOK (2 times)

Alpha
Estes

I built this rocket around 1980 or so; it was one of the last I built in my "first period" of rocketry. It is one of the few that survived in storage well enough to refurbish; of course, the parachute and shock cord had to be replaced (I made a parachute from aluminized mylar, and replaced the rotten rubber cord with a new piece of elastic). And, of course, I repainted it. It flys quite well, though the larger parachute does tend to make it drift.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 12.03

Engine Altitude DV
1/2A6-2 152' 29.4 ft/sec
A6-4 385' 7.6 ft/sec
A8-5 430' 21.3 ft/sec
B6-6 837' 15.7 ft/sec
C6-7 1496' 23.5 ft/sec

Launched

10/08/2006 A8-3, AOK
03/11/2007 C6-5, AOK
08/19/2007 A8-3, AOK
09/03/2007 C6-5, AOK
07/15/2019 A6-4, AOK
10/22/2022 B6-4, AOK

Alpha X
Scratch-built

This is my "Alpha Experimental" as detailed here.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 12.03

Engine Altitude DV
1/2A6-2 152' 29.4 ft/sec
A6-4 385' 7.6 ft/sec
A8-5 430' 21.3 ft/sec
B6-6 837' 15.7 ft/sec
C6-7 1496' 23.5 ft/sec

Launched

07/13/2008 A6-4, AOK

America
Quest

Here's my stock Quest America, in a plain but appropriately patriotic paint job. I just didn't like the provided stickers.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, A6-4, B6-4, C6-3, C6-5

Launched

10/22/2022 B6-4, AOK

Astro Jr.
Semroc

Here's my stock Semroc Astro Jr. I'm really happy with how well the decals went on, and how well the Kilz CraftCote Apple Red matched them.

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/13/2008 A3-4T, AOK
09/07/2008 A10-3T, AOK

Astron Mark
Semroc

I got an Astron Mark kit from Semroc last year. I knew it would be good flier, and hard to prep (due to the short body tube), so I fitted it with a mini-engine mount. After doing a right fine job (if I do say so myself) in priming and sanding and putting on a nice white basecoat, I Easter egg painted it (spray paint on water, then dunk the rocket). Well, not only did it not come out as pretty as the web images that gave me the idea, but also the water soaked into the body tubes really fast. I barely got the swelled engine casing out in time, and in fact, the engine tube is more than a bit mangled at the lower end.

So I let it dry out, nose cone removed, cursing myself for a fool. When it was entirely dry I discovered that, despite the damage to the engine tube, I could still mount an engine in it. So I stuck in an A3-4T and added a decent streamer, and off it went.

It really got up there for such a small engine, and the streamer popped perfectly and it descended within the yard. Of course you know, with all the damage it has suffered, and ugly as it came out, I probably will never lose it. No matter how bad I'd like to.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 1.1.2

Engine Altitude DV
1/2A3-4T 325' -5.7 ft/sec
A3-4T 646' 20.2 ft/sec
A10-3T 597' 41.8 ft/sec

Launched

07/19/2009 A3-4T, AOK
06/24/2010 A10-3T, broke a fin, will fly again
10/04/2010 A10-3T, AOK
07/09/2015 A10-3T, AOK

Baby Bertha
Estes

Here's one I bought back in October or November 2006. I built it pretty much according to plan... but then I built another (see below).

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 12.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 182' 6.9 ft/sec
B4-4 414' 3.5 ft/sec
B6-4 431' 2.7 ft/sec
C6-5 826' 8.9 ft/sec

Launched

10/08/2006 A8-3, AOK
05/20/2007 B6-4, AOK; C6-5, AOK
09/03/2007 B6-4, AOK
09/07/2008 C6-5, AOK
09/27/2008 C6-5, AOK
06/24/2010 A8-3, deployment very late, no damage
10/29/2013 A8-3, deployment very late, upper sustainer damaged

Baby Bertha 2x Cluster (The Double Barrel)
Estes, modified

In the category of not leaving well enough alone, I purchased a second Baby Bertha and modified it. This model now has a 2x18mm cluster engine mount, with Kevlar shock cord attached directly to it. The nose cone required weight to make the rocket stable with two C engines; my thanks to CPMcGraw of Ye Olde Rocket Forum for putting it through RockSim for me, as I could have figured out the nose weight but would have used the wrong engines. This model will fly on 2 each A8-3, B6-6, or C6-7 engines... I'd have used C6-5's and the parachute would have gone to shreds.

Update 10/3/2010 I've put this rocket through OpenRocket 1.1.2, and as you can see from the table below, the engine issue isn't as clear-cut as we previously thought. Experience tells me that C6-7 engines work fine, but the deployment does tend to be late. I may try C6-5 engines on a future flight.

Update 9/28/2024 Testing using the latest OpenRocket 23.09 but with actual tested delay times taken from NAR engine data sheets has revealed that there are really only two sane black powder engine choices for this rocket, as given below. Further, I determined that the nose cone was overweighted (some time ago, actually) and prepared a new nose cone with 24 grams of added weight. This was done to approximately match the mass of a single C6-7 engine, thus putting the CG back where it is on a sinle-engine Baby Bertha.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09, using tested delay times from NAR publications.

Launched

05/20/2007 2x A8-3, AOK; 2x C6-7, AOK
09/07/2008 2x C6-7, AOK; 2x C6-7, AOK
09/27/2008 2x C6-7, AOK

Baffler
New Century

This monster is inspired by another three-cluster with fins between the engine tubes. When I was designing it, naturally I wanted a baffle, and as I thought it over, I realized I could build a baffle using three tubes that could be exposed to view. Thus was Baffler invented. The BT-60 tubes were taken from two Baby Bertha kits I raided for parts, and the nose cone from a Patriot. Most of the rest of the parts came from Semroc, of course.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09, using tested delay times from NAR publications.

Launched

09/20/2015 3x C6-3, Early deployment as expected, short zipper, destroyed chute, cracked fin, but will fly again.
10/22/2023 3x C6-3, AOK

Bandito
Centuri (clone)

This is my clone of the old Centuri Bandito. I built it entirely out of Estes parts, and it consists of a single body tube instead of two tubes connected with a coupler, but it is almost exactly the same dimensions as the classic rocket.

I have a page about this rocket build; click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

A8-5, B6-6, C6-7

Launched

04/29/2008 A8-5, AOK
09/18/2010 B6-6, AOK
07/03/2011 B6-6, long drift across road, recovered AOK
05/18/2024 A8-5, streamer separated, but recovered AOK

Betsy
Estes kitbash

This is just something I threw together out of two Baby Bertha kits, a balsa bulkhead, and a handful of dowels. Note the doubled fins, supported by short bits of dowel; I stacked them together and drilled the holes on my drill press, no measuring or anything, just put them where they looked good. I sanded the root edges using a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a BT-60 tube to make them glue up nicely, but I didn't try to make them fit perfect as I was afraid of taking too much material off. I filled in any remaining imperfections with Elmer's wood filler before priming.

The second picture shows Betsy after being refit as a camera carrier, and of course, after replacement of the lost nose cone.

Recommended Engines

B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/03/2010 B6-4, AOK
07/03/2011 B6-4, lost nose cone, otherwise okay
09/20/2015 B6-4, AOK
07/09/2016 B6-4, AOK
07/14/2017 B6-4, Low flight, AOK

Big Daddy 4x18
Estes, modified

I built this Big Daddy to fly on a cluster of 18mm engines, which I have lots of, rather than a single 24mm engine.

I have a page detailing this rocket build; click here to read more.

Update 9/28/2024 Plugging the published NAR engine test delay times into OpenRocket 23.09, I have discovered that the engines I thought were best for this rocket probably are not. In fact, it seems to have no gentle deployments. I will put a beefy chute on this when I fly it again.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09, using tested delay times from NAR publications.

Launched

07/03/2010 4x C6-5, AOK
04/13/2011 4x C6-5, chute damaged, rocket AOK
09/20/2015 4x C6-5, chute damaged, rocket AOK

Black Vulcan
Centuri clone

This is the first of two clones of the old Centuri Vulcan I have built (see also the Paper Black Vulcan below).

I have a page detailing this rocket build; click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

B6-2, C6-3

Launched

05/20/2007 C6-3, AOK
09/03/2007 C6-3, AOK
04/29/2008 C6-3, AOK

Bullpup
Estes

This rocket was an Valentine's day gift from my daughter Taylor. I loved building this rocket, but the stickers have been a challenge for me; in fact, I have pretty much ignored most of them. Self adhesive stickers just don't look as good as decals, especially when you put a bunch of them on a rocket, so I chose to limit myself to those few that were really needed. The "belts" around the rocket are painted on. Those stickers that I did use, I applied over a wet coat of acrylic gloss varnish (the type in the small bottles that are used in craft projects), wiping off the excess varnish after lining up the sticker. A sticker applied to wet varnish will slide around like a decal, and it is much easier to work the bubbles out.

Update: As you can see from the picture at right, the Bullpup is not painted the colors described above. I clearcoated it, you see, and the clearcoat ate the paint. I was so ticked off... so when I redid it, I went with green and black and used Future for my clearcoat.

Recommended Engines

B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

08/19/2007 B6-4, AOK

Calypso
New Century

One day a while back my wife handed me a thick-walled paper tube just over an inch in diameter. It came from a roll of aluminum foil, and though not smooth like a standard body tube I could see it was fairly decent quality. So of course, I made a rocket out of it.

The nose cone is custom made and 3D printed; the tube was left full length, 12.25 inches long by about 1.1 inches in diameter. The fins are Alpha-like but hand cut, as are the mat-board centering rings. Only the engine tube, engine hook, and thrust ring are "standard" off the shelf parts.

OpenRocket File: Calypso.ork

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09, using tested delay times from NAR publications.

Launched

... not yet ...

Cardinal
Quest Flash/Estes Viking kitbash

I designed and built this rocket during the 2006 World Series, as I sat cheering my favorite baseball team. My protege Justin and I had each purchased Quest Flash kits during the Hobby Lobby closeout sale; I decided, as his was pure stock, I'd customize mine.

I have a page detailing this rocket build; click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

A6-4, A8-3, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7

Launched

05/20/2007 A8-3, AOK; B6-4, AOK

Celestial Navigator
New Century

This is a scratch design of my own. I have a build page on it here.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09, using tested delay times from NAR publications. I am certain these are wrong, at least for my current and only flying model, as C6-5 engines result in very late ejections.

Launched

09/27/2008 B6-4, chute tangled in fins, crashed.
07/03/2010 C6-5, deployed very very late (10' from the ground), no damage; updated recommended engines.
09/18/2010 C6-3, deployment perfect, recovered fine.
04/13/2011 C6-3, AOK

Cobalt
Quest Aerospace

Here's my Quest Cobalt. I built it to fly on mini-engines, mainly to leave room for the streamer inside.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 23.09

Engine Altitude DV
1/2A3-2T 86' 0.8 ft/sec
A10-3T 198' -13.6 ft/sec

Launched

06/03/2012 A10-3T, AOK
07/31/2014 A10-3T, AOK
07/09/2015 A10-3T, AOK

Cyclone
Plan by Jonathon Mills

This is my version of Jonathon Mills' Cyclone rocket. It's pretty cool in flight. As you can see, I painted mine; it still gets a hang time around 15-25 seconds.

I have a page about this build, including my rendition of the plan. Click here if you are interested.

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-4T, A3-4T; I've flown it on A10-3T without trouble.

Launched

05/15/2008 A3-4T, AOK; A3-4T, AOK
09/07/2008 1/2A3-4T, AOK
09/27/2008 A10-3T, AOK
04/13/2011 A10-3T, upper half lost

Dash
Scratch Built

This is my downscale Sprint clone. I figured a short sprint is a dash, so...

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/13/2008 1/2A3-4T, AOK
09/27/2008 A10-3T, AOK

Dawn Star
Baby Bertha/Patriot Kitbash

I built this as a classic sci-fi design using a Baby Bertha kit, a nose cone and coupler from an Estes Patriot kit, and 110# paper rolled around a dowel for the "rocket tubes." The engine mount ejects on this model, rather than the nose cone, allowing me to eliminate the "visible nose cone line" (VNCL) which is so prominent on other sci-fi models.

Update 05/15/2008: My Dawn Star got lost in a wheat field on its second flight.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

04/29/2008 B6-4, AOK
05/15/2008 B6-4, lost

Dawn Star Mark II
Baby Bertha/Patriot Kitbash

This is the replacement for my lost Dawn Star, above. I changed the rear ejection mechanism to be similar to my very reliable Mo' Skeeter, and at the same time decorated the engine mount with vanes rather than tubes.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

09/20/2015 B6-4, AOK
10/22/2022 B6-4, AOK

Der Gutentag
Estes/Semroc Kitbash

A few years ago (most of a decade actually) I built a goonie using a set of Ruskie fins from Semroc along with BT60 tube and Bertha cone. I fitted it for rear core ejection, which has become kind of my "signature," and got it all nicely painted red and white. Then I put it on a shelf to decal "later."

Evidently it's now "later." I got the Ruskie decals when I ordered the fins but I really didn't want to go with that look. So, I dug out the extensive leftover Red Max decals JeffyJeep sent me years ago and combined a few of the Ruskie decals (wheels, cockpit, some rivets) with some of the Red Max decals.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 99' -30.2 ft/sec
B6-4 274' -20.6 ft/sec
C6-5 631' -24.0 ft/sec

Launched

06/03/2023 B6-4, AOK

Der Redship Max
Estes, modified

This is my modified Estes Space Ship One. This kit has a reputation for breaking fins on recovery, which if you look at it, is not surprising; with the rocket descending tail-first, those long, flimsy fins are likely to hit at a very bad angle.

I believe I've solved this by converting the rocket to rear ejection. The rather elaborate plastic tailcone has been built to eject instead of the nose cone. With any luck, this will result in the upper works descending either nose first or at a "flat" angle, reducing the impact on the fins.

Rather than finishing it in the standard fashion, as you can see I've used decals from a Der Red Max kit, sent to me courtesy of Ye Olde Rocket Forum member Jeffyjeep. Thanks man, I really appreciate it!

Recommended Engines

B4-2, B6-2, C6-3

Launched

09/02/2023 B6-2, Low flight, Tail cone deformed due to heat

Evader
Custom
I picked this one up while passing through St. Louis; I had never seen one like it. Not surprising, I later learned, as I was able to find it in the early Quest catalogs on Ninfinger's site, but not on the current Quest website.

Recommended Engines

A6-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

08/22/2009 A8-3, AOK; B6-4, AOK

Galileo
Custom

This rocket was my Father's Day 2007 gift. It was an easy build, but I really like how it came out. I love that aluminum-and-flat-black paint job (obviously, since this is the second I've painted that way).

Update 08/12/2007: Sadly, my Galileo went MIA on its first flight.

Update 06/10/2008: File this in the "so I don't know when to quit" department. I've built another Custom Galileo... see below.

Update 07/19/2009: ... and I've lost it. See below.

Recommended Engines

1/2A6-2, A8-3

Launched

08/12/2007 A8-3, lost

Galileo
Custom

Here you see my second Custom Galileo.

Recommended Engines

1/2A6-2, A8-3

Launched

07/13/2008 A8-3, AOK
07/19/2009 A8-3, lost

Goonybird Zero
Estes/Excelsior

Here's my Goonybird Zero. I had trouble with the decals... I tore up both crosses trying to position them. Gah. Note that this one has the same rear ejection system as my Mo' Skeeter.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

09/02/2023 B6-4, Minor fin damage, will fly again

Groovy, Man
New Century

I didn't really design this rocket, it just sort of happened... but it's all good, man! Groovy.

The fins are cut-down Baby Bertha fins, stacked and drilled on my drill press. The body tube and nose cone were bought from Semroc with vague plans of building something, but I didn't like the cone once I saw it in person. Everything just sat in my parts boxes until I got bored one day, and then this happened.

The decorations are the result of spray painting some spoiled decal paper sheets after printing reversed (mirrored) versions of the letters, symbols, etc. on the back side. I cut them out carefully, wetted them, and slid the colored bits right onto the rocket, and this is what I ended up with.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 124' -20.0 ft/sec
B4-4 340' 8.98 ft/sec
B6-4 349' 5.9 ft/sec
C6-5 822' 11.2 ft/sec

Launched

09/18/2010 A6-4, late deployment, AOK
04/13/2011 A6-4, late deployment, AOK
06/19/2011 B6-4, AOK
06/03/2023 B6-4, AOK
02/25/2024 B4-4, mild spin on ascent, AOK

Guardian
Estes

I bought this rocket in the Fall of 2006 with some birthday money, and it seemed like I spent forever priming and sanding it... I began to wonder if I would ever get the spiral groove filled. But it seems to have turned out quite well, if I do say so myself.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, B6-6, C6-5

Launched

07/01/2007 B6-4, AOK

Harpoon
Quest

I picked this rocket up off the rack at a hobby shop in St. Louis years ago, and finally got around to launching it in 2015. For a draggy rocket, it's a pretty good flier.

Recommended Engines

B6-4, C6-3, C6-5

Launched

09/20/2015 C6-3, chute stuck, cracked fin, will fly again.
09/02/2023 B6-4, Low flight, recovered AOK
09/02/2023 C6-5, AOK

Hercules
Centuri (clone)

When I saw the Stellar Hercules in the 1975-76 Rocket Times on Ninfinger's site, I knew I had to have one. Thanks to Semroc, I was able to get a nice laser-cut fin set and all the necessary parts; I added one of Carl's baffles to allow quicker turn-arounds. I can't wait to launch this one.

Update 6/19/11: Owing to the late deployment issue at the 4-H launch (see link below), I've revised the recommended engines for this rocket.

Update 4/25/12: I've simulated this rocket and updated the recommended engines again. It's a choice between late and early deployment, I'm afraid.

Update 10/20/22: There is every indication that this rocket needs a shorter delay than the simulation indicates. B6-2 on the chart below shows a parachute-ripping 43.8 feet per second at deployment, ascending, while B6-4 shows a barely acceptable 20.0 feet per second descending. However, real-life experience (slim as it is given three flights) shows that the longer delay of the B6-4 can lead to very late deployment; B6-2 wasn't even on the list below originally because it looks so very wrong in the simulation.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
B4-4 266' -23.3 ft/sec
B6-2 252' 43.8 ft/sec
B6-4 273' -20.0 ft/sec
C6-5 620' -20.2 ft/sec

Launched

06/19/2011 B6-4, late deployment, AOK
07/03/2011 Quest German B6-2, engine mount ejected, rocket recovered okay otherwise
07/12/2015 Quest German B6-2, AOK
10/22/2022 B6-2, AOK
10/22/2022 C6-5, Caught in Low Tree, Recovered AOK

Ion Pulsar
Custom

I picked this kit up in St. Louis, and that was where I flew it for the first time. I broke a fin dowel on recovery, which honestly did not surprise me; it looked pretty fragile to begin with. I cut them all off flush with the edge of the fins, gave them a quick sanding and touched them up with some paint, ready to fly again.

This kit has a terrible design flaw; see the flight log for 10/22/2023 for details. I corrected it as explained in the later flight log for 02/25/2024.

Recommended Engines

B4-4, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7

Launched

08/22/2009 A8-3, broke a fin dowel, otherwise AOK
10/22/2023 B6-4, deployment failure (parachute ruined), recovered AOK anyway
02/25/2024 B4-4, AOK

Lil' Centauri
Semroc

I'm really happy with the way this one came out. However, recommended engines for this rocket are incorrect, and I'm not sure why. I used OpenRocket to simulate it, and C6-5 seems like a good choice with a 6.1 ft/sec deployment. Actual testing shows that it deploys rather late with that engine. I don't know if mine is heavier than intended, or what the problem is, but I think it wise to test with a C6-3.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 12.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 187' 5.9 ft/sec
B4-4 427' 1.8 ft/sec
B6-4 431' 3.3 ft/sec
C6-5 862' 6.1 ft/sec

Launched

09/20/2015 C6-5, AOK
10/22/2023 C6-5, shock cord broke, nose cone returned under chute, rocket fell and broke two fins

Lil' Ivan
Semroc/Estes Kitbash

I scratch-built this clone of Centuri's old Lil' Ivan using decals and fins from Semroc and a nose cone, body tube (cut down, of course) and engine mount from an Estes Baby Bertha.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/13/2008 A8-3, AOK
09/07/2008 A8-3, AOK
07/19/2009 A8-3, AOK
06/03/2012 A8-3, AOK

Lil' Marvin
Semroc/Estes Kitbash

Lil' Marvin is my "version" of the classic Lil' Ivan (see above). It goes to pieces under pressure. Most parts came from Semroc, except the plastic nose cone, which came from an Estes Baby Bertha kit.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

08/22/2009 A8-3, damaged irreparably

Lo Flier
Estes Custom

This is my modified Hi Flier; I fitted it with a 13mm engine mount. As Hi Fliers are known for stability issues, I put a single computer screw and some polyurethane glue into the tip of the nosecone; according to OpenRocket, I shouldn't need any at all, but I was being careful.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 1.1.2

Engine Altitude DV
1/4A3-3T 116' -16.5 ft/sec
1/2A3-4T 282' -12.4 ft/sec
A3-4T 579' 12.5 ft/sec
A10-3T 541' 36.0 ft/sec

Launched

06/24/2010 A10-3T, AOK
10/04/2010 A10-3T, minor shock cord scorching, recovered OK
06/08/2011 A10-3T, AOK
03/25/2012 A10-3T, hung up in tree, recovered AOK
07/31/2014 1/2A3-4T, AOK
07/09/2015 1/2A3-4T, AOK
10/06/2015 1/2A3-4T, AOK
05/03/2020 1/2A3-4T, AOK
07/29/2022 A10-3T, AOK

Lowball
New Century

This rocket consists of the fins and nose cone from my Lil' Marvin combined with a selection of spare parts. I just wanted a back yard flier to burn up my large collection of A10-3T engines. Seems I succeeded.

Recommended Engines

A10-3T

Launched

06/03/2012 A10-3T, AOK
07/09/2015 A10-3T, AOK
05/03/2020 A10-3T, AOK

Lucky Seven
Estes

I bought this almost-all-plastic rocket at Hobby Lobby on clearance. Boy, is it a dog. The only thing I can say nice about it, is that I can launch it in my tree-lined back yard with little fear of losing it to a tree... I think I can climb that high on my stepladder.

Recommended Engines

A10-3T

Launched

03/11/2007 A10-3T, AOK
05/05/2008 A10-3T, did midair loops, ejected after impact, undamaged.

Mini Centurion
Semroc

Here's my Mini Centurion. I really like how this one came out.

I've added to the recommended engines below based on my experiences with this kit... A rocket that flies well on a B6-4 usually does fine on a B4-4.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

06/19/2011 A6-4, late deployment, damaged fin, will fly again
07/15/2019 A8-3, AOK

Mini Max
Estes

This is one of my favorite new Estes kits. I built two, one mostly stock (this one) except for a Kevlar shock cord leader connected to the engine mount, and one modified (see below).

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/24/2011 A3-4T, AOK
03/25/2012 A10-3T, AOK
07/31/2014 A10-3T, AOK
10/06/2015 A10-3T, AOK
05/03/2020 A10-3T, Caught in Tree, Recovered AOK
07/29/2022 A10-3T, Caught in Tree, Lost

Mini Max Modified
Estes Kitbash

Here's my modified Mini Max. What can I say? I think it speaks for itself.

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/24/2011 A10-3T, broken fin, repaired
03/25/2012 A10-3T, AOK
07/31/2014 1/2A3-4T, AOK
10/06/2015 A10-3T, AOK

Moonraker
Semroc

This is more or less a Semroc Moonraker, built with a Cyclone-style engine mount to fly on mini-motors. I have a build page for this rocket here.

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

05/03/2020 1/2A3-4T, AOK
05/03/2020 1/2A3-4T, AOK
07/29/2022 A10-3T, Lost

Mo' Skeeter
New Century

This is an approximate 320% upscale of the Estes Mosquito. I've seen many such upscales, but this it the only one I know of that uses rear ejection.

I have a build page for this rocket here.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/09/2009 B6-4, Landed on Roof of Shed, Recovered by Landowner
08/22/2009 B6-4, AOK
09/18/2010 B4-4, AOK
04/13/2011 B4-4, AOK
06/19/2011 B6-4, AOK
07/03/2011 B6-4, AOK
10/29/2013 B6-4, AOK
07/12/2015 B6-4, Chute Didn't Open Fully, AOK
09/20/2015 B6-4, AOK
07/09/2016 B6-4, AOK
07/14/2017 B6-4 (Quest), AOK
07/29/2022 B6-4, AOK
10/22/2022 B6-4, AOK
06/03/2023 B6-4, AOK
09/02/2023 B6-4, AOK
10/22/2023 B6-4, AOK
02/25/2024 B4-4, AOK
05/18/2024 B4-4, AOK

New Centurion
New Century

I always loved the look of the classic Centuri Centurion, and this is my semi-clone of that bird. It has a midline break, just above a bypass tube baffle, and it has interchangeable engine mounts (1x18mm, 2x18mm, and 1x24mm D/E).

Update 9/27/2008: The E engine mount worked beautifully, but was wrecked when I tried to remove it after the flight. The bargain-basement lower body tube is just a bit too tight.

Update 8/22/2009: The lower section of the rocket was smashed on the pavement due to a poor choice of engine. The rocket will be rebuilt.

Update 04/13/2011: First flight of the rebuilt New Centurion was a success!

I have a page describing this build here.

Recommended Engines

Note: Values below are based on an old RockSim simulation; OpenRocket gives different results. See the build page for details.

1x18mm

Engine Altitude DV
B4-2 77' 0.08 fps
B6-4 83' 2.30 fps
C6-3 283' 3.10 fps
2x18mm
Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 88' 0.09 fps
B4-4 275' 1.00 fps
B6-4 286' 3.32 fps
C6-5 815' 6.90 fps
1x24mm
Engine Altitude DV
D12-3 783' 6.57 fps
E9-4 1357' 10.91 fps

Launched

07/13/2008 B6-4, AOK
07/13/2008 2xB6-4, AOK
09/07/2008 C6-5, AOK
09/27/2008 C6-5, AOK; 2xC6-5, AOK; E9-4, AOK
08/22/2009 B6-4, deployment failure, wrecked.
04/13/2011 C6-5, AOK
05/18/2024 B4-4, bad engine choice, hit tree, late deployment, but only minor damage
05/18/2024 2x B6-4, AOK

Nomad
Centuri (clone)

I cloned the classic Centuri Nomad using parts from Semroc, but I just couldn't bring myself to do the "standard" paint job.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

06/19/2011 B6-4, good flight, destroyed on recovery (crushed)

Nomad
Centuri (clone)

This is the replacement for my previous Nomad. I used a random sampling of decals from other rockets rather than getting a "proper" Nomad set, but I don't think it looks bad at all.

Note 05/04/2023: The picture to the right shows the rocket after the repair of the fin broken in this rocket's first flight on 09/20/2015. It's actually been fixed for, well, years, but needed the picture updated.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

09/20/2015 B6-4, chute failure, fin cracked, will fly again.
10/22/2023 B6-4, fin popped off, will fly again

Nova
Centuri (clone)

I cloned the classic Centuri Nova using parts from Semroc. The "catalog" paint job for most of the time this model was available was a bit hard to determine, since the catalog pages were black and white; the 1974-75 catalog shows it yellow and red, but the packaging showed it yellow and green. I painted my original Nova yellow, white, and green back around 1979 or so (as shown in my gallery, just past halfway down).

As you can see, I went with just yellow and green for my reproduction, but I didn't use standard decals. Instead, I made my own decal set including a roll pattern based on a doodle I sometimes do when I'm on the phone.

Recommended engines below are my recommendation; the original recommended engines aren't made any more.

Recommended Engines

1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/24/2011 A3-4T, AOK
03/25/2012 A10-3T, AOK

Outlander
Estes

I bought this portly bird from Hobby Lobby on clearance, $4.68 each (and I bought two, one of which is still in the bag). I'm not entirely happy with it, but it was a really time-consuming build, so I'll probably give the other one to Justin rather than build it myself.

Recommended Engines

B6-2, C6-3

Launched

05/05/2008 C6-3, hung up in tree, recovered AOK

Paper Black Vulcan
Centuri clone/kitbash

This is the second of two clones of the old Centuri Vulcan I have built (see also the Black Vulcan above).

I have a page detailing this rocket build; click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

B6-2, C6-3

Launched

... not yet ...

Patriot X
Estes kitbash

This rocket may superficially resemble the Estes Patriot, but it's much improved; the body tube is a single piece, it has a Semroc baffle, and the engine retainer is a handmade twist-lock.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/09/2009 B6-4, AOK
07/09/2009 C6-5, AOK
08/22/2009 C6-5, AOK
09/18/2010 B4-4, AOK
04/13/2011 C6-5, AOK
09/20/2015 C6-5, AOK
10/22/2023 C6-5, AOK

Pharos
New Century

This is one of my own designs; I have a page describing the build here.

Recommended Engines

B6-2, B6-4, C6-3

Launched

07/13/2008 C6-5, AOK
09/27/2008 C6-5, AOK
04/13/2011 C6-3, AOK
05/18/2024 C6-3, landed in tree, lost

Phoenix
New Century

Well, having flown it a couple of times with good results, and having never thought of another name, the "working title" is official now. This is the Phoenix.

Original Description: This is a scratch rocket I built on a whim. I've never simulated it (I don't even have RockSim) so my recommended engines below are just guesswork. Even the name, Phoenix, is a working title.

Recommended Engines

A3-4T, A10-3T

Launched

07/13/2008 A3-4T, AOK
09/07/2008 A3-4T, AOK

Photon Disruptor
Estes

I'm really happy with how the paint and decals went on this one.

Recommended Engines

B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

09/20/2015 B6-4, AOK
06/03/2023 C6-5, Small chute, hard landing, but AOK

Point
Semroc

Here's my Semroc Point. I'm looking forward to launching this one in the back yard.

Recommended Engines

B6-2

Launched

... not yet ...

Rawhide
Semroc

I needed to make the minimum order size from Semroc (I was buying parts) so I threw this one in to fill up the order form. It's pretty simple, but you can't beat the classics.

Updated 10/04/2015: So I've had this one for eight years and launched it exactly once. It's not that it's a bad rocket... it's my habits. See, minimum-diameter 18mm rockets don't get launched at my "big" launches because (honestly) they aren't as impressive. But I do fly small rockets on mini engines in my back yard. So last night I built a 13mm engine mount and glued it in place permanently... from now on, this bird flies on mini engines. It will get launched next time I fly in the back yard.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Chart for 13mm Engines

Engine Altitude DV
1/4A3-3T 101' -20.3 ft/sec
1/2A3-4T 265' -14.1 ft/sec
A3-4T 573' 16.7 ft/sec

Original Chart for 18mm Engines

Engine Altitude DV
A8-5 513' -11.6 ft/sec
B6-6 921' -10.0 ft/sec
C6-7 1,560' -24.1 ft/sec

Launched

08/12/2007 A8-3, AOK
10/06/2015 1/2A3-4T, AOK
05/03/2020 1/2A3-4T, AOK

Rocket Propelled Goony
New Century

This sweetheart started life as a Baby Bertha kit. The fins are actually cut from the waste balsa from the Baby Bertha fin set... they are very similar to classic Estes Sprint fins, but had to be sanded somewhat to fit the transition-to-engine-tube angle. The transition is 110# paper, and I used the standard engine mount centering rings to center the BT-20 lower tube in the short piece of BT-60 upper tube.

I have a page detailing this rocket build; click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B6-4, C6-7

Launched

04/29/2008 B6-4, AOK
09/27/2008 C6-7, AOK
09/18/2010 C6-7, AOK

SAM-X
Custom

I picked this up at Schaeffer's in St. Louis. It took me so long between building and finishing that I forgot it was Russian and painted it in US colors... so I mixed and matched decals and called it good.

Recommended Engines

Upper Stage: A8-5, B6-6, C6-7
Booster: B6-0, C6-0
Single Stage: A8-3, B6-4, C6-7

Launched

07/03/2010 B6-0 to A8-5, AOK
04/13/2011 B6-0 to A8-5, AOK
10/22/2023 B6-0 to A8-5, staging failure, booster ruined.

School Rocket
Balsa Machining

I built this one back in 2015 when I first started as a project leader for the Clark County kids, but I didn't get to launch it until 2017.

Other than the A8-3, the recommended engines are based on my simulation of this rocket.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
A6-4 292' 15.1 ft/sec
A8-3 324' 15.7 ft/sec
B6-4 572' 6.2 ft/sec
C6-5 1,002' 16.1 ft/sec

Launched

07/14/2017 B6-4, Landed on highway, recovered AOK

S.C.R.A.M. 140
Estes Upscale

I built this one on a whim, in a single evening, based on the plans for the classic Estes S.C.R.A.M. mini-brute. The 140 is the upscaling percentage... it's 140% of the original, and thus flies on 18mm rather than 13mm engines.

Launched

08/22/2009 A8-3, AOK

Screamin' Demon
Quest

Back in 2008 my daughter got the kit for this rocket, and with a little help she built it, and with no help whatsoever she painted it. She needed no help from me on the paint job, to be clear. Weirdly, in its original form it always spun rapidly on the ascent, but since it recovered on a streamer this was never a problem.

It flew five times in its original form, but on its second flight on July 3rd, 2010, it went into the pond beside the field and was damaged beyond normal repair.

I saved the nose cone, the huge plastic streamer, and the fins (cutting them off of the body as they are through-the-wall fins as delivered), and built a whole-new rocket. It's the same length and configuration, except of course for the fins which are no longer TTW. It no longer spins rapidly when ascending, either. Taylor painted it, but I have officially adopted it into my fleet as she is not currently interested in flying it.

Recommended Engines

A6-4, A8-3, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/13/2008 B6-4, spun on ascent, AOK
09/07/2008 B6-4, spun on ascent, minor fin damage, AOK
08/22/2009 C6-5, spun on ascent, AOK
07/03/2010 C6-5, spun on ascent, AOK
07/03/2010 C6-5, spun on ascent, landed in pond, sustainer tube ruined
04/13/2011 C6-5, long drift for a streamer, AOK
07/03/2011 B6-4, AOK
10/29/2013 B6-4, AOK
02/25/2024 B6-4, AOK
05/18/2024 B6-4, AOK

Sizzler
Estes

I got back into rocketry in the Spring of 2006, and this is one of the first kits I bought. I got it and the Star Dart, below, in one of those Wal-Mart "Launchables" special packages. It's a pretty good deal, actually, just about $9.00 for two kits.

I painted this one using an off-white Krylon paint as a "primer." (I was out of Kilz primer, which I have subsequently sworn off of anyway as it is just too expensive). After getting things pretty smooth, I used some leftover paint from my wife's projects. She even suggested the color scheme. Frankly, I wasn't sure that gold fins would look right on a plum-colored rocket, but now I really like it.

Recommended Engines

A8-5, B6-6, C6-7

Launched

05/20/2007 A8-3, AOK

Sky Devil
Centuri

This rocket dates back to somewhere around 1977-1978. It was a 4-H project, and it went to the Missouri State Fair (and got a white ribbon, which obviously isn't saying much). It came back with one fin broken at the narrowest point.

When I dug it out, I knew I had to refurbish it. I sanded and papered all the fins, which helped to reinforce the one I had to glue back together. After a thorough priming and sanding, I painted the sustainer blue and red, and the fins and nose cone white; then I cut little stars from blue painter's tape and applied them to the rocket. I painted over them, making the sustainer white, the fins blue, and the nose cone red; removing all the little stars gives the patriotic results you see here. A topcoat of Future and the deed was done. The picture here also shows the vintage Centuri parachute, which just needed the tape discs replaced to make it serviceable.

First launch after refurbishment was July 1, 2007.

Launched

07/01/2007 A3-4, AOK
08/19/2007 A8-5, AOK
07/03/2011 A8-5, AOK; probably the last flight, as this rocket is getting rather beat-up looking

Skylark
New Century

This is one of my designs. I don't recall the inspiration anymore... just wanted a nice-looking 2x18mm cluster rocket. OpenRocket indicates that it has a really nice flight profile with all the engines I recommend below, and I have to say: so far, so good.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
2x A8-3 193' -4.5 ft/sec
2x B4-4 429' -1.8 ft/sec
2x B6-4 446' 3.8 ft/sec
2x C6-5 855' -8.6 ft/sec

Launched

09/20/2015 2x C6-5, AOK
07/14/2017 2x B6-4, AOK
10/22/2022 2x B6-4, AOK

Slidewhistle
custom

This is my own paper rocket design, which is distributed from this very website (click here for details). The first prototype blew out its "nose" on its first flight (ending its career) but I have another waiting in the wings.

Launched

03/11/2007 A3-4T, destroyed
06/24/2010 A10-3T, AOK

Sprint
Estes

Here is another rocket dating from around 1980. As with the Alpha, above, this rocket needed to be repainted, and the recovery system was replaced. I'm not 100% happy with the paint job, but I'm out of the mustard-colored paint the nose is decorated with, so I believe I will just live with it.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 1.1.5

Engine Altitude DV
1/2A6-2 146' 25 ft/sec
A8-5 396' 50 ft/sec
A6-4 361' 8 ft/sec
B6-6 791' 40 ft/sec
C6-7 1408' 58 ft/sec

Launched

10/08/2006 A8-3, AOK
08/19/2007 A8-3, AOK
07/03/2011 A6-4, nozzle blew a chunk out, aerial spin cycle, but rocket was not damaged
07/14/2017 C6-7, Lost

Sprint
FSI (Clone)

I've become a fan of the forgotten, unloved rocket kits of the past. One such rocket is the FSI Sprint, a parachute duration kit made from 1970 to 1996. I consider mine a "semi-clone" as it is not exactly like any of the versions of this rocket sold by FSI "back in the day" but rather combines and averages their features. I have a build page for this rocket.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-3 207' 2.7 ft/sec
B4-4 498' 16.8 ft/sec
B6-4 525' 22.4 ft/sec
C6-5 1056' 23.6 ft/sec

Launched

09/20/2015 A8-5, AOK
10/22/2022 B6-4, AOK
02/25/2024 B4-4, AOK

Sprint
Quest

I got this kit during the Quest clearance at Hobby Lobby. After losing a silver-colored rocket, I decided to paint this one florescent orange; later, I added the blue section at the tail. The orange is Krylon, and the blue is Wal-Mart's ColorPlace paint. I didn't prime this one per se, just painted it with some off white Krylon I had laying around, and up close you can see the body tube spirals pretty plainly. It was one of the first rockets I built after becoming a BAR, and I have to say my finishing skills were decidedly unfinished at that point.

Launched

10/08/2006 A8-3, AOK
03/11/2007 A8-3, AOK
07/14/2017 A6-4, AOK

Star Dart
Estes

I got back into rocketry in the Spring of 2006, and this is one of the first kits I bought. I got it and the Sizzler, below, in one of those Wal-Mart "Launchables" special packages. It's a pretty good deal, actually, just about $9.00 for two kits.

I had planned to paint this rocket with one red and two green fins, and to paint the nose cone red. My wife suggested the plum and gold colors instead after seeing the rocket with just the green fins. I was dubious, but I tried it and I think it came out great.

Recommended Engines

A8-5, B6-6, C6-7

Launched

05/20/2007 A8-3, AOK

Starfire
Semroc

This is one of the last rockets I ordered from Semroc before the company sold. I'm really happy with how it came out. OpenRocket shows that optimum delays aren't really possible with Estes engines (though the B6-6 isn't too bad) but Quest A6-4's should be very nearly perfect.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
A8-5 376' -26.3 ft/sec
A6-4 336' 1.4 ft/sec
B6-6 761' -18.7 ft/sec
C6-7 1,385' -26.2 ft/sec

Launched

09/20/2015 A8-5, Late Deployment, AOK
06/03/2023 A6-4, AOK

Starliner DST
Red River Rocketry

I have a goal of owning at least one rocket from every vendor of low-power sport rockets; the Starliner DST was my choice from Red River Rocketry, and I have to say that I like it. It's a pretty easy build, and given the single-color paint job it's easy to finish as well.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

09/07/2008 B6-4, AOK
09/18/2010 B6-4, AOK
02/25/2024 B6-4, AOK

Star Watcher
Sunward

Here's my Sunward Starwatcher. I chose the "X Wing" arrangement when I built it; the instructions said I would need "some" noseweight. Gah. I'm not fond of doing swing tests, as there are too many ways to screw up the rocket when you have it on the end of a string. Fortunately, after some discussion on YORF I've concluded that around 15 grams of noseweight should work. I'm going with 18 computer screws, which have a mass of around 0.77 grams each, combined with enough polyurethane glue to hold them in place.

Update: I decided to go with just 15 screws for noseweight. Worked fine (click the launch date below for details).

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7

Launched

07/13/2008 B6-4, AOK
09/07/2008 C6-5, AOK
09/18/2010 C6-5, AOK
07/03/2011 B6-4, lost one fin at ejection; repairable, will fly again
09/20/2015 C6-5, AOK
07/14/2017 C6-5, Chute damaged but recovered AOK
07/15/2019 C6-5, AOK

Sparrow
Starlight

This sad little bird made two flights, and was lost forever in tall grass.

Launched

05/15/2008 A8-3, AOK
05/15/2008 A8-3, lost

Super Alpha 18tc
Estes (Modified)

This is what happens when a guy who has more 18mm engines than he knows what to do with buys a half price 24mm kit. (Well, one thing, anyway... I also like to put clusters in them.) I worked hard to make the tailcone seamless, and I'm pretty happy with it.

Recommended Engines

Note: Estimated altitude and DV below taken from OpenRocket 15.03

Engine Altitude DV
B6-4 413' 13.9 ft/sec
C6-5 897' 7.2 ft/sec

Launched

06/03/2023 C6-5, Arcing flight, recovered on pavement but AOK

ThunderBee
Semroc

I got this rocket in October 2006 (I think). It was a quick build, though the balsa fins were super-soft, which led to me having to be really careful with it until I got it primed. Then I painted it, first with Kilz Craftcoat yellow, then after a week of curing I taped it up and painted it with Wal-Mart ColorPlace black. It looked really nice.

Next, I gave it a nice shiny coat of Krylon gloss clearcoat. The paint bubbled over about half the rocket... I said a bunch of bad words. A week to cure, then I sanded it all off, repainted it, and used Wal-Mart ColorPlace clearcoat. More bubbles... I said a bunch more bad words, gave it a week to cure, and again, sanded it off and repainted it. The third time, I coated it all over with acrylic floor finish. I'm not fond of that sort of a finish, as I think it feels rubbery, but it looks pretty good and it didn't bubble the paint.

Recommended Engines

1/4A3-3T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T

Launched

08/19/2007 1/2A3-2T, fin broken on landing, repaired

Tinee
Edmonds

The first time I flew this glider, if it weren't for my wife's eagle eyes, I wouldn't have recovered it. I flew it "naked" as I have been told over and over that you shouldn't paint gliders. The bare wood turned out to be hard to see in the air.

Before flying it again, I darkened the undersides of the wings and the outsides of the rudders (or whatever you call those things) with a marker, which should not appreciably affect the weight. Next, I masked it off and primed and painted the pod only florescent orange.

Update: As noted below, on 09/03/2007 I lost this rocket. Not sure if I'll replace it or not.

Launched

03/11/2007 A3-4T, AOK
09/03/2007 A3-4T, AOK; A3-4T, lost

Triskelion
Fliskits

Well, I got it done at last. The paint job on this one was suggested by my wife; it's a base coat of Kilz Craftcoat Yellow with Wal-Mart Colorplace Fire Red on the nose end. I really like the way this one turned out.

Recommended Engines

A8-3, B4-2, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/01/2007 B6-4, AOK
09/03/2007 C6-5, AOK
05/11/2011 B6-4, road landing, lost two fin tips, repairable.
10/22/2023 C6-5, AOK

Ultimatum
New Century

Here's a rocket of my own design. It's a BT-70 sized rocket, with a midline break over a bypass baffle (like my New Centurion, above), and it takes a cluster of three 18mm engines (unlike the New Centurion, which has interchangeable mounts).

Recommended Engines

Engine Altitude DV
3x A8-3 160 ft. 6.70 ft./sec.
3x B6-4 407 ft. 1.31 ft./sec.
3x C6-5 908 ft. 7.75 ft./sec.
Statistics from OpenRocket 23.09

Launched

07/09/2009 3x B6-4, some dings but will fly again
08/22/2009 3x C6-5, more dings but will still fly again
02/25/2024 3x B6-4, only one engine ignited, no damage
05/18/2024 3x B6-4, AOK
05/18/2024 3x C6-5, 2 engines fired, low flight, good deployment, AOK

Vector V
Centuri

This rocket dates back to sometime around 1977-1978. I did a really rough job building it (but then, I was just a kid). I refurbished this rocket this year (2007); click here to read more.

Recommended Engines

1/2A6-2, A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5

Launched

07/01/2007 B6-4, AOK
10/22/2023 A8-3, AOK

3/4 scale X-24 Bug
Centuri, modified

I printed out a set of shrouds for the X-24 Bug, which I'd like to clone; and then, looking at the large number of A10-3T engines I have in stock (bought on clearance at Wal-Mart for $1.00 a pack), I realized a 3/4 scale version of the X-24 Bug might be a good project. So I set the scale to 75% in Adobe Reader and printed another set of shrouds.

It doesn't glide. See the launch reports, linked below, for details. However, it's very light, being all paper except for the bulkhead, so I've removed the clay and will be flying it as a featherweight model. The distinctive smoke trail is pretty cool.

Recommended Engines

A10-3T

Launched

09/01/2008 A10-3T, AOK
09/07/2008 A10-3T, AOK
06/24/2010 A10-3T, 3 flights, all AOK
10/04/2010 A10-3T, 2 flights, all AOK
06/03/2012 A10-3T, AOK
07/29/2022 A10-3T, AOK

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Last Updated 10/03/2024