First flight day wrap up:
All 10 motors fired both flights.
The 2x G64 and 8x D12 motor combination seems to be a good one. Without the powerful gust of wind that hit the second flight, I believe it would have hovered longer and likely come in fairly flat.
While the D12s did not burn through their casings, there was a brown soft spot on the motor casings where the centrifugal force of the spinning saucer distorted the motor's internal burns.
Used friction fitting for motor retention as the design is a work in process and time was short. After the first flight one of the F40s became jammed and has to use so much force to remove it that I stripped out the motor tube. Was able to secure tube in place for second flight at the field, and used looser friction retentions for second flight.
Added aluminum tape near the spin motor nozzles after the first flight. This successfully protected the ring from motor heat and residue.
The second flight landing hard at an angle resulted in modest, completely repairable, damage to the ring. On the outer edge where it first struck the ground, the fiberglass shell is slightly separated from the underlying foam. I will fix this by drilling small holes in the FG shell and injecting small amounts of epoxy.
Just wondering: why aren't the spin motors on the underside of the rocket?
That is just too cool. I'm in awe. Bravo!!!
Thank you.
Your Saturn V build is looking very nice.
Also impressed by the elegant furniture in the background of your rocket photos. I think you get the award for best decor in the background of a rocket build.
I don't think this is the same saucer, but it's one I believe you flew at LDRS.
Very cool to watch!
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-Kevin
Now that is a cool picture!
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