Stock build purchased built & used off Ebay...will modify. Arrr! Of note is that I had built one o' me own a year ago, me hearties, but forgot t' attach t' clear fins (too many rockets grabbed that day). Aye aye! No fins was a big mistake, but resulted in a hilarious flight as R2 swirled around t' pad, ya bilge rat, crashed head first into snow and then did a firey explosive discharge from his butt...even t' chute and lines were on fire for a bit! Has been repaired and will fly again, matey, but first I'll modify this used one since it's already beat up and I can do more testin' on it. Blimey!
*UPDATE* - Modified with small kevlar anchor cord and 1/4" x 36" Estes shock cord and finally got a successful flight.
| Flight Date: | 2015-03-09 |
| Rocket Name: | Estes Star Wars R2-D2 |
| Kit Name: | Estes - R2-D2 {Kit} |
| Flyer's Name: | Ken E. Coyote |
| Motors: | C6-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 250 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 5.00 mph |
| Actual Altitude: | 300 Feet |
Finally a good flight! I had repaired R2 by usin' a 1/4" x 36" Estes rubber shock cord. I figured t' thin elastic band originally provided just wasn't up t' t' task o' takin' t' force o' t' heavy weighted pop pod upon ejection. Seems it worked well and I be rewarded with t' first successful R2 flight! R2 lifted off quick and very straight and near apex he started a twirly. Just after apogee, t' pod popped out and stayed attached. Good chute too! R2 started swirlin' on t' way down (that guy is just a party animal!) and landed in good shape. Well, blow me down! Unfortunately t' pod ended up in a wet dagobah-like puddle and t' motor swelled before I could get it out, matey, so I'll have t' wait for it t' dry before removal...whoopie. Still a good flight for R2.
I recommend anyone with this model o' R2 t' replace t' thin elastic band with t' Estes 1/4" thick rubber shock cord and a thin kevlar cord on t' body anchor. Blimey! You can also use t' rubber cord t' cover t' chute so it has extra protection against ejection gases since it's long and wide.
*Update* - Motor be quite a mess t' get out...it swelled and stuck t' t' body tube. I had t' crush, drill, clamp, twist, pull and peel t' pieces out. Blimey! Body tube wasn't in such great shape, but I've reamed it out with a small metal tube and coated t' insides with some CA, so I think R2 will be able t' chug along yet again.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-3 |
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