Cool!!!
I thought I relieve some stress today and fire off the only working rocket I've got left.....LM-2 with-out the Alt15K.
------ First launch was on an A8-3. Got to about 100ft and deployed at apogee. Chute failed to inflate and down it came......
I was a little surprised and rushed over to check it out. Nose was standing upright buried in the mud. The top square of Kevlar cloth moved up the shroud lines and stopped the chute from opening up. No damage but needed cleaning.
------ The next 4 launches were on a B6-4 and got to around 350-400ft.
The first 2 of these were great. I caught the rocket both times (First time ever) about 20ft from the pad! I cheered, held it up high & waved it about like a trophy!!!
The 3rd was a bit tricky. Wind gust took it towards the tree line. Came down thru the canopy and was hung up on some lower branches. A few jumps and I soon had it back. No damage.
The 4th launch had me worried. Great boost but again at deployment the chute failed to inflate.
Now crashing from 100ft was no prob. Falling from 350ft fast.......I was sure a fin or 2 would snap off. They're only surface mounted 0.8mm ply.
Wack!!! (My Batman Impersonation) The nose speared in while the aft airframe slapped the ground.
This time the chute remained folded up....I guess I packed it to tight? Most of the recovery line and both Kevlar squares stayed in the tube.
Woo-Hoo!!!.....It survived intact........ A bit dirty. One fin was missing paint along its edge & the nose had a small chip / nick, a few scratches and was also missing paint.
The lower Kevlar square has reached it's use-by date & needs replacing. Heat & gas have made it stiff and it has started to split. Lasted 15 flights while being blasted at point blank........may last 1 or 2 more?
Heh heh heh......My first two crashes in a long time & 2 catches to boot!!! A fantastic day which took the stress away!