Commanche 3 Launch - Shredded Booster Fins at Staging

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Thomas Koszuta - 27 Mar 2005 15:40 GMT

I launched a Commanche 3 yesterday with two stages - D12-0 and C6-7.

wRASP says it stages at 388 feet and 250 mph. It sure looked a lot higher.

The minimum diameter booster stage lost two fins when it hit the wind
sideways after it was kicked off the rocket. Both fins took some of the
tube paper with them them they went. Guess I'm going to have to do glass or
paper reinforcing to keep the next one from losing fins the same way.

Other than that it was a great flight. The boost was almost perfectly
straight, the C ignited and the thing became a dot in the sky at a predicted
2200 ft. Not bad for 64% E total impulse.

I used a piece of mylar emergency blanket for the streamer. The silver
sparkles on the way down and is nice for visibility.

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Tom Koszuta
Western New York Sailplane and Electic Flyers
Buffalo, NY

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Cliff Sojourner - 28 Mar 2005 07:49 GMT

> I launched a Commanche 3 yesterday with two stages - D12-0 and C6-7.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> tube paper with them them they went. Guess I'm going to have to do glass or
> paper reinforcing to keep the next one from losing fins the same way.

instead of adding weight, want to try again with yellow glue? this
time, use a pin to poke some small holes in the BT & bottom of the fin,
for the glue to soak in to. also, did you "double glue" the first time?
that is, apply a thin coat of glue, let dry for 20 minutes, apply
another thin coat, press the two parts together for 20 seconds.

> Other than that it was a great flight. The boost was almost perfectly
> straight, the C ignited and the thing became a dot in the sky at a predicted
> 2200 ft. Not bad for 64% E total impulse.

awesome!

> I used a piece of mylar emergency blanket for the streamer. The silver
> sparkles on the way down and is nice for visibility.

good tip

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randyolb@charter.net - 28 Mar 2005 15:54 GMT

> I launched a Commanche 3 yesterday with two stages - D12-0 and C6-7.

> The minimum diameter booster stage lost two fins when it hit the wind
> sideways after it was kicked off the rocket. Both fins took some of the
> tube paper with them them they went.

If it's down to the bare paper, this is what I do:

1. Soak it with ca and then use a drop or two of ca accelerator. That will
make the paper very hard.

2. After about 5 minutes, use a small drop of ca to "quick set" the fin in
postion.

3. Use yellow glue to form a nice fillet, building up several layers, until
your satisfied with the way it looks.

Randy

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Model Forum / General / Rockets / March 2005

Commanche 3 Launch - Shredded Booster Fins at Staging