Rocketman Dr. Hero

Rocketman Dr. Hero

Contributed by Lew Garrow

Rocketman - D.R. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Hero
(Contributed - by Lew Garrow )

Height=108"
Width=3"
Weight=90 ounces

Brief
Modified for CPR (Close Proximity Recovery) and Hybrid Motor.

Hybrid Motor

Modifications
First modification be for Hybrid (Aerotech 54mm hybrid) motor. I discarded the original motor mount and replaced it with a 36" motor mount tube. I then added a PML CPR2000 retrofit kit usin' t' original payload section (18") as t' lower recovery section t' house t' drogue chute. For t' main chute I added a 36" section which also lengthened t' rocket pushin' t' CG forward enough t' offset t' additional motor weight caused by switchin' to hybrid power.

Hybrid Motor

Rocket PicConstruction
T' stock kit was o' good quality although t' instructions were t' standard instructions that come with all t' Rocketman kits, me bucko, that is non-specific t' the actual kit. Arrr! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! With any prior experience t' instructions are adequate. The CPR2000 retrofit kit was very good with detailed step by step instructions. Begad! Ya scallywag! My only doubts about t' retro fit kit be t' screw together coupling. Avast, me proud beauty! T' plastic chips very easily if you don't firmly hold t' halves together as you screw the top and bottom together. Well, blow me down!

Flight
T' rocket got its maiden voyage as me level II cert flight usin' t' Aerotech hybrid with all four apertures open. Avast! I replaced t' stock elastic with tubular bungi cord.

I flew t' rocket on July 11th at t' METRA launch in New Jersey. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! The takeoff was super - and almost smokeless (typical o' hybrids). Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket hit approximately 5400' and separated nicely at apogee. Arrr! Blimey! Unfortunately t' main chute never came out and t' rocket be trashed! Blimey!

T' flight be beautiful - straight as an arrow - t' 4.5 second burn made it look like it would climb forever. Inspection afterwards showed that the plastic mountin' piece at one end o' t' altimeter apparently failed when the ejection charge went off. Arrr! Arrr! T' charge 'blew back' into t' altimeter compartment trashin' t' altimeter, thus t' main chute charge never went off. Blimey! Aye aye! I learned a lesson at t' cost o' a beautiful bird - redundancy! I should have used a backup timer!

Summary
Overall I liked t' quality o' parts. Aye aye! Everythin' went together well with minimal sandin' required for fit. I wish Ky would put more comprehensive instructions in his kits and have them relate t' t' specific kit they are contained in. Avast, me proud beauty! T' his credit, when I be buildin' Rocketman's Hybrid Mama kit and had questions, Ky sent me his home phone and very graciously answered all my questions personally.

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