Flight Log - 2015-02-27 - Matthew Bond's 2.70x Upscale Wolverine

An upscale of the classic Estes Wolverine based on standard LOC 2.63" tubing.  Rocket has a 29mm motor mount with an AeroPac retainer.  Fins are made from 1/8" plywood, with the main fins being TTW to the motor mount.  Nose cone was constructed from an ogive balsa cone with the distinctive canopy carved from a separate balsa block.  Recovery system uses a 1/8" flat woven Kevlar shock cord epoxied to the motor mount and tied to a large screw eye in the nose cone shoulder.  Either a 24" or 30" spherachute is used based on the field conditions.  Rocket is finished in a silver metallic paint with the usual outstanding vinyl decals provided by StickerShock.

Flight Date: 2015-02-27
Rocket Name: 2.70x Upscale Wolverine
Kit Name: Estes - Wolverine {Kit} (816) [1973-1979]
Flyer's Name: Matthew Bond
Motors: G53-7
Expected Altitude: 1,435.00 Feet
Wind Speed: 5.00 mph
Launch Site: GRITS 2015

Last flight of the first day of GRITS 2015, which would sadly also turn out to be the last flight for the rest of GRITS as well since the rains moved in over night and washed out the last two days of the launch...  Had such a great flight of the upscale Wolverine earlier in the day that I decided to fly it again.  Another great boost, fast off the rod and arcing over at the top of the climb.  More or less horizontal at ejection with a good chute.  Rocket landed on top of one of the mobile field watering rigs and looked to be hanging there.  When I got out to it I discovered that the nose cone had somehow looped itself through the shroud limes of the parachute and I wasn't able to pull it free.  The rig didn't look climbable (at least not for me) so I went back to the range head to try and borrow a ladder.  One of the club members offered to loan me their telescoping linemans pole, and then ended up coming out with me to help.  Somehow he was able to use the pole to untange everything and retrieve the rocket in one piece.  The only damage was to one of the main wing tips which looked like it hit the rig coming in.  Lucky recovery.

StageMotor(s)
1Aerotech G53FJ-7

 

comment Post a Comment