The Viper: A '70s kit offered to Estes Aerospace Club (EAC) members. It uses T motors. It is a good, economical flier with parachute recovery. The small 12-inch parachute is a good choice for this rocket, since it is limited to A-power only. I wouldn't waste the time using 1/4A motors unless it's extremely windy or you have an extremely small field, the larger motors are so much more satisfying.
This particular Viper was painted with Purple and Orange instead of the Purple and Yellow. I suppose that was because I had orange dope and no yellow, but that was 35 years ago, who knows?
This rocket was later given my "Iris" modification, which extends the body tube about 5 inches above the streamer / parachute bay, and allows for a payload with an Altimeter One to measure altitudes. With it’s most powerful A motor, I can’t seem to get this above the 200-foot mark. (Iris is named after the Greek god of the rainbow. She is a messenger of the gods, linking the gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown higher than the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in NC, the tallest lighthouse in the USA.
| Flight Date: | 2011-11-25 |
| Rocket Name: | EAC Viper |
| Kit Name: | Estes - E.A.C. Viper {Kit} (0820) [1972-1986] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | A10-3 |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 155.00 Feet |
Another good flight of the Estes EAC Viper with an Iris payload and an Altimeter 2 on board. Though I know the A3 motor is an excellent choice for this rocket, I tried an A10-3T motor this time. Just like the A3 motor, the wind didn't affect the flight much as it went straight up to 155 feet, about 30 feet less than an A3 would do. It reached a top speed of 52 mph (14 mph slower than an A3 would do) with a peak of 17.6G's (about 10Gs more than an A3 would do). Ejection was 0.8 seconds past apogee, at 140 feet, where it began it's descent at 6 mph. Flight time was 20 seconds.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes A10T-3 |
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