Sunward Aerospace Umbrella

Sunward Aerospace - Flying Umbrella {Kit}

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Manufacturer: Sunward Aerospace
(Contributed - by Matt Gillard - 09/04/07) (MODS)Sunward Flying Umbrella

Brief:
the flyin' umbrella was a flawed design. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' very high drag meant that any delay at all way too long. T' rocket was nearly on t' ground before t' chute ejected. Aye aye! This modification removes t' chute, me hearties, glues in t' nose cone, and allows the rocket t' fall back t' earth.

Modifications:
Everythin' be t' same for t' standard build except that t' nose cone is glued into place and thar be no need for the parachute.

No motor retention is needed or desired.

Construction:
T' kit comes with:

(MODS)Sunward Flying Umbrella
  • a single body tube
  • 8 fin struts
  • 8 panels
  • a aircraft cock pit nose cone
  • shock cord
  • parachute
  • 24mm motor mount

T' nose cone is a standard Sunward aircraft type and is o' good quality. Arrr! I swapped this for a standard Estes nose cone which required some clay t' brin' it up t' t' correct mass. T' parachute went into me spares box.

Finishing:
T' original review for t' umbrella had a really nice paint job. Ya scallywag! I be goin' t' leave mine bare after a few coats of sealer. In t' end I painted it up but used holographic paper on t' base and on t' top o' t' body tube

Flight and Recovery:
T' main point o' t' modification is that t' D motor is spat out, leavin' t' rocket t' float down. Ahoy! T' aid ejection, arrr, I removed a few layers o' paper off t' Estes D12-0 motor.

I have nay had a problem with t' motor case bein' spit out as t' rocket never gets any real height and is nearly always pointin' at t' launch pad. Begad! Ya scallywag! At ejection t' umbrella turns around in a few feet and then floats back to earth. Well, blow me down! T' base acts as a parachute and t' recovery is at a decent rate and most o' t' times you can catch it. Ahoy! On one launch with strong winds, t' umbrella did bounce a bit, which caused slight damage t' one o' t' corners. Avast! Most landings are hard but leave no damage other than wearin' t' paint o' t' nose cone away.

I did try a E9-4 motor but t' delay meant that t' rocket be on t' ground when t' motor ejected, me bucko, and the motor shot out like a shell bein' fired.

Summary:
I honestly believe that this mod be t' best thin' t' do with t' Umbrella kit. It's quick and easy and will give good flights.

(MODS)Sunward Flying Umbrella(MODS)Sunward Flying Umbrella

Other Reviews
  • Sunward Aerospace Flying Umbrella By Marty Wiggins

    Brief: The Sunward Flying Umbrella is a very high drag rocket that looks like, well, an umbrella and flies like one too. The "rocket" uses a parachute for recovery, but that might not really be needed. It does not go very high and it comes down slowly. Construction: The rocket comes with a single body tube, 8 fin struts, 8 umbrella panels, nose cone, parachute, and ...

Flights

Comments:

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jim d (November 28, 2023)

This kit has been reproduced with some changes by BnBRockets

https://bnbrockets.com/oscommerce/FlyingUmbrella

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