This is the standard Estes Bullpup 12D kit, modified with a small payload bay between the forward fins and the nose cone, and a engine mount pulled slightly rearward to allow for a metal spring-clip for the motor. It is internally modified with a Kevlar shock cord mount and a much longer shock cord.
| Flight Date: | 2012-11-23 |
| Rocket Name: | Bullpup Iris |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Bullpup 12D {Kit} (007000) [1996-] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | C6-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 400 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 10.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 430 Feet |
After the near-disastrous flight last time, I now know to fly this rocket with a -3 delay. I had removed most of the kit-recommended nose weight, because I had almost the exact weight added already, in the form of the payload modification, so the extra weight was only hurting the Bullpup’s performance.
The C6 fired up and burned for two seconds, accelerating the rocket to 101 mph. This time it accelerated with a peak over 4 Gs higher, reaching 10.1 Gs, and averaging 2.3 Gs for the burn. The removed clay nose weight allowed for a much better acceleration, which was a lot quicker this time.
At 410 feet the ejection fired too quickly after only 2.3 seconds. The Bullpup continued up for another 20 feet to reach an apogee of 430 feet – the best on record so far, much better than the previous 300 feet.
The parachute shrouds, shock cord and Nomex protection had quickly tangled up severely, causing the rocket to fall at 17 mph. Flight time was only 20.5 seconds. It did survive unharmed though by landing in the grass about 100 feet from the launcher.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes C6-3 |
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