Motors / Aerotech / I435
High Power Level 2 Rocket w/ Onboard Video- "RETRO CINEMA 1" Almost Lands on a Herd of Cows

79" tall scratch-built Blue Tube design transitioned from 3" motor/fin tube to 2.2" main body tube back to 3" camcorder tube. Reminiscent of a rocket design Kirk Packo and I built and launched in 1971 using a Kodak 8mm film movie camera. Launched at monthly TTRA launch at Varn ranch, Plant City FL. Aerotech I435 "Blue Thunder" 38mm motor with Aiptek Hi Speed HD camcorder. Note pendulum-like swing of shock cord connected to fin/motor section- in addition to the drogue chute above the camcorder section, I tested adding a 12" chute to the shock cord where the cord leads into the fin/motor section, and it caused ever-increasing oscillations until the main ejection charge fired. The camcorder section and the main tube/fin/motor section of rocket came down under separate chutes and almost landed on a herd of cows. the last vidcap show two of the juvenile cows running away as we approached to retrieve the rocket. The mother cow was watching us intently and we were praying that she would not charge us. Everyone safely survived the encounter. Great first flight on St. Patrick's Day for this rocket.

 Rocketry Club: Tripoli Tampa Rocketry Association

Author jmomenee
Duration 201 seconds
Rating Best

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