Doug Gerrard

This is one of my favorite photograph from on board a rocket. It uses an X-form chute.Doug

JW, I can bring one of mine,Doug

Warren, I’m surprised the club would let you use them on their rail. I thought most clubs prohibited the use of metal rail button because it galls the rails. I guess most people figure its easier to replace the rail…   Read more»

I missed the tour for the Trinity site by 3 days. (Its only one time a year) Actually, you chances are twice that! It’s open two times a year, the first Saturday of April and October. I haven’t been there…   Read more»

As of now I am planning on Freeze Frame on an N2800 on Friday but I’ll be using my own pad.Doug

Damn I’ve been doing it wrong all this time 😯 Actually Mike, I don’t glue in the aluminum bulkplates, they are bolted to the motor/booster etc.Doug

I’ll fly the thing naked if it comes down to that.

Art won’t let us fly naked. The rocket either. He considers it to be a “requirement”. It would make the film look better.Doug

Lets just hope it gets done in time for MHM.Doug

True JW that many times it is unavoidable especially with minimum diameter rockets. You have to use they eyebolts and it sounds like you are taking appropriate precautions. But I have seen them un-thread and since I have the room…   Read more»

Good for you Conway. I won’t use them. I can’t see any advantage to the eyenut method, other than a slight weight savings, but you have to admit there is the possibility of them backing out in flight. Even if…   Read more»

I’ll send you a PM.Doug

Bruce, your question is why I don’t use eyebolts or eyenuts. It is possible for them to un-thread especially if one section of the rocket like the fin can is rolling. I bolt the motor in with a bolt to…   Read more»

Bosun Supply is great and the prices beat the hell out of McMaster-Carr.I’m not sure how you figure that Warren. Price on these items isBosun 3/8″$20.13 rated at 1160 poundMcMaster 3/8″$21.70 rated at 1800 poundBosun 1/2″$30.56 rated at 2150 poundMcMaster…   Read more»

Sorry JW, it’s still too early to tell. Art and I are building a new rocket that we hope to fly at MHM but considering it’s still under construction… I hope to post some more information around April once we…   Read more»

The way on the bottom is actually the correct method. The other method results in an unstable piston.http://www.deltavrocketry.com/piston.htmSorry to disagree with you Edward but I’ve seen that site before and his theory, analysis and “tests” are all flawed. I think…   Read more»

It IS an altitude contest – without question. The rest of the rules just make things harder and more constrained.Yes, but Warren it sounds like from the first post that these constraints are becoming less and less? Like John, I…   Read more»

Finally, as Doug will attest – when it is no longer a “single” shot event, then anyone traveling any distance is placed at a huge disadvantage. Were it a single flight, some of us would show up and go for…   Read more»

Absolutely, the flight I described before was traveling horizontal by the time the last stage went off. It was so small though, no harm, no foul, just cute.Doug

Has any one done 5 stages?Yes. I saw a tiny model rocket that flew four stages of A10’s each and then an A3 I think. All I remember was, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, and Whoosh. Kind of cute actually.Doug

Yea, they won’t let any rocket fly with any “exposed” aluminum. It can have aluminum fin cans, nose tips, etc, but it must be painted. Of course no aluminum airframes but painting an aluminum piece that can be polished to…   Read more»