(fixed broken link to rocket picture)
My co-worker who is the president of the Southern Arizona Rocketry Association (SARA) has built a couple of unique, transparent rockets. This one is called "Clear As A Bell 2":
The tubing is tenite butyrate, and the fins, bulkheads, and nosecone are polycarbonate. It's about 9 feet tall, and he typically launches it on a K motor. I think these rockets are really cool, but I've remarked to him that if his shock cord breaks, good luck finding it.......
Last month, he strapped an HD "helmet cam" to it and launched it, and created a really well-done video of the launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l7VK8xdUow
Make sure you have your sound turned on. If you have a fast internet connection, you can also select an HD version of the video (720p or 1080p) near the bottom-right of the video.
The builder, Sean, is the dark-haired guy shown arming the altimeter.
Enjoy!
Looks cool. I expect it would be quite heavy compared to an equivalent composite or paper/phenolic rocket.
I can almost see the fins. 🙂
Before the annual meeting, Bret--a composite geek like you, Warren--and thank god for both of you!, and I went to Ft. Collins Plastics, and I saw the clear plastic tubes. I was thinking about using a clear tube for electronics on a 4" Arrow with a 75mm motor mount after that, and someone mentioned can we get clear plastic tubes for upscales on another thread. I gotta say it looks cool, but what is the strength? Is that the weak link in the chain?
Hey,
Yes, very nice video. Great ejection charge amonts, barely wiggled the camera. I always liked the clear working engine model, a clear loaded rocket (minus motor) would be really good for doing the outreach stuff, very visual.
@Warren: You're probably right about the weight.
SARA's launch site only has a 4,500' waiver, with call-in windows to 6,500' -- they're near one of the approach paths for Tucson International Airport. So, weight isn't a big factor for them -- in fact, I'd bet when you start getting to L2-type motors, you probably want to build them heavy to stay under the waiver.
Sean told me that he's gotten this rocket to just above a mile AGL on a K550, so you L2 & L3 types can probably guess-timate the weight.
I like the stand also.
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