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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Skyhoucker on February 3, 2006, 11:45 AM

Title: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Skyhoucker on February 3, 2006, 11:45 AM
Anyone else a builder and flyer of these bad boys?  I've only got a few left because for some reason on the recovery, when the rocket hits the ground it either tears or dents or folds... it pisses me off... If anyone's interested, I'll post some pics of 'em...

Dan
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Smartypants1635 on February 3, 2006, 07:10 PM
Yeah me and my friend launch em off all the time. :P
Obviously your shoot aint deploying. Only happened to me once, and I've launched hundreds of times. Just make sure you wrap the shoot right.
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Darth Kenobi on February 3, 2006, 08:50 PM
I never have lunched any rockets but would like to unfourtantely they are banned for most of the area where I live.  The law classifies them as fireworks so most shops don't carry them around here.
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Skyhoucker on February 3, 2006, 09:09 PM
Yeah me and my friend launch em off all the time. :P
Obviously your shoot aint deploying. Only happened to me once, and I've launched hundreds of times. Just make sure you wrap the shoot right.

It was weird... the rocket was the "Gnome", and everything went smoothly... went up fairly straight, recovery system (streamer) came out... it was textbook... but when it landed, it landed so awkardly that it bent the body tube beyond fixing... it really sucked...

Here are pics of 3 of my rockets:

This rocket was "premade" and came with one of my launcher kits...
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Skyhoucker/100_0656.jpg)

This rocket is an E2X (Alpha III) kit that came with another launch set... (I hate decals)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Skyhoucker/100_0687.jpg)

And, here's the Gnome, the one that landed awkardly on the first launch... (once again, no decals)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Skyhoucker/100_0691.jpg)
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: DSJ™ on February 4, 2006, 03:37 PM
Rockets, that brings back a lot of memories. I got started back in the mid 70's in Air Cadets and later became an instructor for these puppys. Man I must have had over hundreds of rockets and only a few are still around with odd repairs to them. I still have in storage over $400. worth of engines back home. If I ever get a good day that has no wind, I'm going to fire off these puppy's.  ;D

I built many Estes and Centuri rocket rockets over the years, Saturn 5 (single & multiple engines), Honest John, Mini Bomarc, Cruise Missle, Space Shuttle, SR-71 Blackbird, V2 German rocket, Interceptor (my fav), Space 1999 Eagle Transporter, 6' Mean Machine, Enterprise & Klingon, Colonial Viper, X-15, Mars Lander, X-Wing, Mercury, F-16 Fighter, Buck Rogers Starfighter, various gliders and the Astrocam which uses 100 film. So many to mention...  ;D

One of my favorites is theBadminton Birdie rocket (http://rocketjones.mu.nu/archives/064470.php), this really flies... I **** you not!  You gotta try it!  ;)
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: DSJ™ on February 4, 2006, 10:08 PM
Here's a pic of Thunderbird 3 a friend of mine scratchbuilt for me many years ago, it has never flown and I won't as it is so well done. I have to glue down some of the numbering as it's peeling back.


(http://www.telusplanet.net/public/djustus/Darth%20Vader/Thunderbird%203%20Scratchbuilt%20Model%20Rocket.jpg)
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: CanadianCollector on February 5, 2006, 08:55 AM
http://www.womprat.com/images/misc/ESTES.JPG

Unfortunately this one is half built / half broken when I got it.  I've never done the rocket thing though.

-Mike
www.womprat.com
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Reid on February 5, 2006, 11:16 AM
I launched one with my Dad a few years ago, when I was 9 or 10. We put in a parachuter figure inside the rocket, but it never came back.
Title: Re: Estes Model Rockets
Post by: Smartypants1635 on February 5, 2006, 11:22 AM
Sky. If this still occurs you either need to replace the parachute with a larger one , or not launch in as windy conditions.