The X-15: This is a "Sport-Scale" (not true scale) model of the famous X-15 rocket-powered research plane. This particular kit appears to be newer than other Quest X-15 kits described here: It is a few inches longer, and a recommendation by Quest to only use the A8-3 or A6 motors. (Mine is definitely too heavy to fly on an A8). I chose to paint my particular model gloss blue (not the historically accurate black).
My kit came out pretty heavy as I used a full-sized can of Rustoleum 2X paint trying to get a smooth, glossy finish. Apparently light coats of this paint leave the finish in something like an orange-peel texture, cool but not good for low drag. I discovered heavy, thick coats that would run with normal paints made for a smoother, glossy finish. But by then, there was so much primer and paint on this model that it almost doubled the weight of this kit. In MHO, Rustoleum 2X (from Home Depot) sucks for flying models. I wish I would have used the ridiculously expensive yet lighter Testors stuff at $5 for a tiny 3-oz. can.
The X-15 finally got a payload section addition. This adds another 3 inches to the rockets overall length. This will hold the Altimeter Two, which no longer is at risk of ejection shock damage or loss if the clip fails. The added bulkhead, painted payload tube and padding only adds an additional 13.6 grams of weight to this model.
She flies well and is not affected by the wind much, though I wish I could get her to venture a little closer to the clouds. Actual measurements with an altimeter on board shows this model can go much higher than I estimated, with a C6-3 it reached 437 feet, and traveled at 89 mph. That's enough to have it fly higher than the Great Pyramid of Giza, now that it has eroded about 25 feet.
| Flight Date: | 2012-12-02 |
| Rocket Name: | X-15 |
| Kit Name: | Quest - X-15 {Kit} (2014) |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | C6-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 250.00 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 7.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 199.00 Feet |
Having almost lost this heavy rocket on the last flight by using a B6-4 with a too-long delay, I chose the C6 this time with only a -3 delay, believing that this rocket is not bothered by the winds and should have plenty of time to recover.
This was to be the third test flight of the rocket with its new Iris payload section added, with the first test using the C6-5 in calm winds successfully.
The C6 fired up and accelerated off the pad while generating 6.5 Gs of lift, averaging just 1.4 for the whole 2 second burn time. During this time it curved far upwind maybe 800 feet or so. It reached a top speed of 63 mph but only 195 feet.
The ejection charge fired quite early after only 2.4 seconds, while the rocket coasted over and up an additional 4 feet to an apogee of 199 feet in the last 4/10 seconds.
The stiff Quest parachute opened well and allowed this rocket to return at a safe 10 mph, while drifting down and back to the launch area. After a 17.6 second flight, it came to rest about 75 feet upwind from the launch pad, saving me a long walk.
I can see now that the addition of the Iris payload on this heavy rocket drastically reduces its performance, and seems to alter its stability (making it over-stable) so it is no longer a good flier in windy air. Without the payload section I have made 350 to 450 feet in this degree of wind. I am now trying to work out a method of carrying the altimeter in the rather large and hollow plastic nose cone instead.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-3 |
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