The distinguishing feature of this rocket, like all the kits from New Way Space Models, is that the body tube is square instead of the traditional round body. This is a D-powered payload rocket, capable of flying with larger E and F motors as well as a smaller C power. My particular rocket had the payload bay modified to carry a small HD video camera and an altimeter/accelerometer.
I chose this rocket to carry the camera because it can have considerable excess rocket thrust to compensate for the heavy (47 gram) camera. It also was somewhat short and has smaller fins which I suspect / believe will be more stable with the heavy noseweight. My previous camera booster was overstable, which I suspect contributed to somewhat blurry images from the motion, and a tendency to wind-cock and fly at a angle. As a bonus, the square sides of the payload made it easier to install a flat glass window. I had hoped that the clear plastic would be optically clear, but it blurrs and distorts the camera's view. Another bonus is the plastic screws that secure the bulkhead ("connector" according to New Way) and prevent a loss of the electronics. To this I added Nylon screws to secure the nose cone on top also.
With its additional weight, it now is carried by two parachutes: a 19" and a 9" Nylon parachute. (The 9" is only for a redundant backup chute.)
I modified the suggested black/white paint and used red and white to make it more visible in the air and on the ground, to help prevent the loss of a rather expensive payload. I did not use the gold foil supplied by the kit. The construction followed the stock kit, however I modified the clear plastic payload tube to carry a small glass window for the camera to "look out of", because the plastic created too much distortion of the image.
I have not yet given this rocket a test flight yet, so I have no idea how high and how well it will perform by itself or with the additional payload weight. New Way was not helpful in providing any altitude estimates of this kit. My hunch is that it will fly well.
| Flight Date: | 2013-06-30 |
| Rocket Name: | C-Thru |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | D12-3 |
| Expected Altitude: | 800.00 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 4.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Fort Indiantown Gap, PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 629.00 Feet |
For this first ever flight, I used the recommended motor. I intended to fly this with a 47 gram payload weight. I made one with padding to exactly fit inside the payload section and not bounce around, but duh, I forgot to leave space for the altimeter, so I flew without any dummy weight (which I intended to use to simulate the camera weight to be carried next time). I also wanted to test a unique parachute configuration, which was carried on this maiden flight.
The D12 lit up fine, initial acceleration was a healthy 12.5 Gs, and the 1.8 second burn averaged a stout 3.2 Gs. The trajectory was super-straight up, a good thing for later camera flights.
The C-thru reached a top speed of 131 mph, then coasted for 2.8 seconds. The motor had a slightly early ejection at 2.6 seconds, while the rocket was at 589 feet and still travelling upwards with no arc. In the last 2/10 seconds it continued up another 40 feet, finally stopping at 629 feet apogee.
I could see a parachute but it was falling a bit faster than expected. It was a good thing I used a special parachute configuration. Apparently the main Nylon parachute (18”) melted at the shroud attachment points, literally “gluing” the parachute shut so it couldn’t be opened. The square corners of the body tube let too much ejection escape around the wadding/dog barf. The instructions warned me about this, but I guess I didn’t take enough extra precautions to fill the corners.
Well these things happen, and expecting something like this could occur, I had a second, smaller (9”) reserve chute attached to the payload section directly, since I was going to be launching a rather expensive camera. I had carefully attached the two chutes with enough distance apart between the very long shock cord so they would not likely interfere with each other.
The C-Thru came down at a fast 14mph, which would have been ok landing in the grass. But of course it landed on the hard gravel road with a loud thump, motor casing hitting first. This is a fairly heavy but sturdy frame, and I did not see any damage to the end of the rocket. Whew! Total flight time was 31-1/2 seconds, not that quick since it fell from over 600 feet. Next flight, I will bring a camera along and will certainly use a Nomex blanket for the parachutes!
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes D12-3 |
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