Flight Log - 2012-09-01 - Rich DeAngelis's Bullpup Iris

This is the standard Estes Bullpup 12D kit, modified with a small payload bay between the forward fins and the nose cone, and a engine mount pulled slightly rearward to allow for a metal spring-clip for the motor.  It is internally modified with a Kevlar shock cord mount and a much longer shock cord.

Flight Date: 2012-09-01
Rocket Name: Bullpup Iris
Kit Name: Estes - Bullpup 12D {Kit} (007000) [1996-]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: C6-5
Launch Site: Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Actual Altitude: 300.00 Feet

It was windy, but knowing how little altitude I got with a B6, I knew a C6 would not get lost.  This time the motor burned for 2.2 seconds, quite a long time, only peaking in acceleration at 5.7 Gs, and averaged 1.7 Gs for the 2.2 seconds. This motor was a slow burner, pushing the Bullpup to 83 mph.  Like the B6 it turned into the wind, but more so as it was a longer burn.  Then it coasted for 2.9 seconds and reached apogee of 300 feet even.  The delay burned slow also, for 5.9 seconds.  In those last three seconds it dropped 118 feet and was picking up a lot of speed.


When the parachute finally saw the air, it tore completely off the shrouds.  The rocket then fell at 24 mph and landed 300 feet upwind, but no damage other than the parachute, which floated down a minute later.  Total air time was 12.9 seconds. While the engine choice had too much delay, other factors in this flight’s failure was the long-burning delay of this particular Estes motor, and the very thin shroud lines which more easily cut through the plastic parachute.  This rocket needs a C6-3 for sure.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes C6-5

 

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