I also flew an original Estes K-36 Saturn - V in July 2009 but heavily modified and uses a cluster of 5 engines (D12-3 core/four C6-3's outboards). Flew very well, only that the upper section's recovery parachute ripped from the shroud lines (didn't take into account of the extra mass from added nose weight due to the additional engines). Posted that video (2) also....check it out!
My brother had a Centuri Saturn V Rocket. He built it for a high school project and launched it but it didn't work well because only 1 of the three engines ignited.
I got a hold of it about 4 to 5 years later. At that time Estes had the D size engine. I pulled the three cluster engine pack and built one to replace it the used a single D engine. And flew it a number of times. Maybe one day my brother will take the video of a least one of them and post it on here.
I never used the clear slip-on fins. In fact I had forgotten all about them until I read your comment. It flew perfect every time, except when I got greedy and attempted to convert it into a 2 stage rocket and threw it out of balance and it crashed. :(
Too bad about Centuri. I always thought they had better rockets than Estes in the 70's. The tubes of the Centuri rockets were made in a way that you couldn't see the twist in them like you can with the Estes rockets.
Yes, true. But I also built my Estes K-36 Saturn - V extensively modified to use a 5 engine cluster for flight and the separation point similar to the Centuri kit. Flew it once (so far); have a video of it too.
I also flew an original Estes K-36 Saturn - V in July 2009 but heavily modified and uses a cluster of 5 engines (D12-3 core/four C6-3's outboards). Flew very well, only that the upper section's recovery parachute ripped from the shroud lines (didn't take into account of the extra mass from added nose weight due to the additional engines). Posted that video (2) also....check it out!
dwmzmm 8 months ago
My brother had a Centuri Saturn V Rocket. He built it for a high school project and launched it but it didn't work well because only 1 of the three engines ignited.
I got a hold of it about 4 to 5 years later. At that time Estes had the D size engine. I pulled the three cluster engine pack and built one to replace it the used a single D engine. And flew it a number of times. Maybe one day my brother will take the video of a least one of them and post it on here.
axsimulate 9 months ago
Thanks, Phil! I was afraid you were going
to claim this launch was faked. Have a good one!
dwmzmm 3 years ago
Fantastic, I love it!
veryfunnyphil 3 years ago
Kindy of squirrely on the way up but an oh so nice recovery.
jwrockets 3 years ago
Yes, that's because I flew it without the clear slip-on fins. Wanted to see how it would fly this way. Big chance, but it did
work.
dwmzmm 3 years ago
@dwmzmm
I never used the clear slip-on fins. In fact I had forgotten all about them until I read your comment. It flew perfect every time, except when I got greedy and attempted to convert it into a 2 stage rocket and threw it out of balance and it crashed. :(
axsimulate 9 months ago
@axsimulate
So sorry to hear! Gotta remember the shift in the CG.......
dwmzmm 5 months ago
Too bad about Centuri. I always thought they had better rockets than Estes in the 70's. The tubes of the Centuri rockets were made in a way that you couldn't see the twist in them like you can with the Estes rockets.
axsimulate 9 months ago
@axsimulate
Yes, true. But I also built my Estes K-36 Saturn - V extensively modified to use a 5 engine cluster for flight and the separation point similar to the Centuri kit. Flew it once (so far); have a video of it too.
dwmzmm 5 months ago