Rocketman Dr. Hero

Rocketman Dr. Hero

Contributed by Lew Garrow

Rocketman - D.R. Begad! 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 was for Hybrid (Aerotech 54mm hybrid) motor. Avast! Arrr! I discarded the original motor mount and replaced it with a 36" motor mount tube. Avast! I then added a PML CPR2000 retrofit kit usin' t' original payload section (18") as t' lower recovery section t' house t' drogue chute. Begad! 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, that is non-specific t' the actual kit. With any prior experience t' instructions are adequate. Well, blow me down! The CPR2000 retrofit kit was very good with detailed step by step instructions. Ya scallywag! My only doubts about t' retro fit kit be t' screw together coupling. T' plastic chips very easily if you don't firmly hold t' halves together as you screw the top and bottom together. Begad!

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

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

T' flight was beautiful - straight as an arrow - t' 4.5 second burn made it look like it would climb forever. Avast, me proud beauty! Inspection afterwards showed that the plastic mountin' piece at one end o' t' altimeter apparently failed when the ejection charge went off. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! T' charge 'blew back' into t' altimeter compartment trashin' t' altimeter, me hearties, thus t' main chute charge never went off. Ahoy! 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. Arrr! 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. Arrr! T' his credit, when I was buildin' Rocketman's Hybrid Mama kit and had questions, me bucko, Ky sent me his home phone and very graciously answered all my questions personally. Well, blow me down!

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