PROJECT X - FIRST FLIGHT

This Rocket will fly at AIRFEST / Kansas in September 2021. Just want to make sure it can handle Mach speeds, this flight will be around Mach 1 but at AIRFEST it will handle Mach 2.3 I hope. Still debating if I should use a 54 mm - 6 grain motor or a 75 mm 2 grain motor. Both have the same result.

Update 03/30/2021 - Bernie replied, the 75 mm 2 grain is around $160 and the 54 mm 6 grain is around $190 ! So I will go with the L910.

Update 04/17/2021 - Got the motor from Tim, He does not fly CTI so much and he sold me the L910 for $120. Thanks Tim.

Update 05/01/2021 - Made already the charges. Still making adjustments on the whole rocket for this flight.

Update 05/08/2021- Loaded the motor this early morning. Had a struggle with the grains, had to peel them a bit to get them slide into the liner, than this was assembled, loaded the liner with all the closures in the casing, had to use brutal force, like a hammer and a dowel to get them in were they need to be seated. Went a bit to far so I have to use a plastic plumbing pipe to get it a bit out, I used a spacer to move the liner up or down. I really do not know why this all is so tight, use O rings were I could but never had this problem before. It is all seated real real tight and I hope to get it all out after the launch !! Now I hope that those rotary switches will fit if not I will use those two screw switches, and still need to do the windows, dam.

Update 05/09/2021 - Modified the drogue charge with a cushion of dog barf. Dry fitting all the pieces and parts etc.

Update 05/09/2021 - Checked almost all preflight issues, seems that all is under control and working as it should be. Testing all the GoPro camera's to see which one will go inside the AvBay for recording. Weather still looks great for Saturday.

Update 05/10/2021 - Stratologgers testes and batteries OK. Have two camera's ready, one for onboard and one for the ground view. Will add another camera inside the booster on a chock cord and hope it keeps working.

Update 05/11/2021 - Ok couldn't wait loaded the motor in the rocket, dog barf on top and primary charge than streamer folded tight and rolled in chute protector (bottom), lots of dog barf on top, yes I used a lot of dog barf, primary charge is 2.2 grams... Did do 2 Z ties with 10 folds each and rubber bands, have a small chute protector ready for a GoPro camera as well. So that part is done to the max for now.... Upper bay has main chute inside, rolled up very skinny so it slips in there with a chute protector did do 2 Z ties there with 9 folds each, still need to add dog barf there and also on top (?) maybe. So far that will do for the pre-field prep.

Update 05/12/2021 - Installed the charges Main and Drogue/streamer and taped the contact off with masking tape. Charging camera's.

Update 05/14/2021 - Packed the car and checked the batteries. RTX, Camera's, power tanketc., loaded the camera bag... All good, still charging the RTX batterie still tomorrow morning and also the camera's. Requested the far away cell but probably can launch around 300 feet pads.

Update 05/15/2021 - LAUNCH DAY !! - Very very windy day, had to do this test anyway to proceed to my Kansas flight. Skies were almost clear, nice morning drive but windy all the way and stronger winds expected in the afternoon. Took only a few pictures in the morning, Florence took most of the prepping pictures and that was real great having here there. First thing that I loaded was the tracker in the nose cone, while I was doing that the RTX seems to restart or hang for a while but still got signal. Took it a few times in and out he nose cone to locate he problem but could not find it, will send it back to missile works and get a second back up one also. Well it kept going now so I continued prepping. Did the camera in the booster and turned that on, AvBay prep was a breeze also, Nexus 5 phone taped in and GoPro camera also turned on and taped with electrical tape in there all was tight taped up and turned on, The Nexus worked like a charm, turned on only when vertically no bogus files or videos.. The GoPro on the AvBay recorded continuously so you can see a lot of activity around the Launch site and setup at the pad. Sheerpins all in and also the screws to hold the AvBay in place. All camera's worked perfectly, in the rocket and on the ground, lots of video files to process ! thanks for that. Took the rocket to the E pads and loaded it with Tim helping me. Got the ladder to arm the stratologgers, had a hard time finding the switches in there but than I remember that I have to angle my screwdriver to turn them on, voila Freddy pay attention next time. Took me a while to figure that out but all armed and beeping. got the ignitor in and had continuity ! All good, some last pictures and go. Took off with a spit the cover out and went smooth up. Had a little angle because of the wind, but still the rocket came down like 1800 feet East in the open field next to a road, perfect ! Florence come along and we took lots of pictures. The streamer came not out, did not unwrap. because I wrapped the chock cord to tight around the streamer !! well all was working good any way and I do not have to fold that long streamer, good thing ! But next time I will make sure NOT to wrap the chock cord around the streamer anymore !!! When recovering I noticed that all the camera's and phone were still working, real happy with all the pictures and video taken, no damage so ready for Airfest in September ! Will have to replace the camera windows with glass that plexi that I put in has a real strong glare when the sun hits it, hope to get that solved soon ! Will recheck the whole rocket for maybe some more improvements. The RTX n the nose cone works great with the foam and the cover. Also the motor that was in super tight unscrewed easy this time and came out smooth, did not have to use brutal force to get it out, some cleaning has to be done there and apply some greasing there to keep it protected. Bought 3 K motors from Bernie cause they were half priced - 3 grains.

Update 05/16/2021 - Rocket did not reach the expected altitude due to heavy winds. Also noticed by blowing out the booster that the main drogue charge did not fire, guess I pulled the wire to strong when getting stuff in there ! Dam !