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Old 08-15-2018, 12:34 PM
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Gus Gus is offline
7/21/61
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North of Detroit
Posts: 2,223
Default A novel cluster igniter at WSMC

Oh how we miss Q2G2's!

Just got back from the World Spacemodeling Contest in Poland and wanted to share something our British friends came up with.

For the S2P Precision Fragile Payload event the goal is to fly a raw egg to 300 meters with a flight duration of 60 seconds. Three flights, total is added, egg compartment is only opened after the 3rd flight. Very similar to TARC except that there are 3 flights and no construction requirements, any motor and rocket combo is OK. Huge fun.

The Brits entered two teams (3 guys each) and finished first and second as teams, 1st and 3rd individual. (I finished 4th, 0.3 seconds out of 3rd, ouch, LOL). Tremendous consistency and reliablity and solid design.

But what was really interesting is that the Brits flew 3 motor clusters of Estes D12's with a really novel ignition system. In the S2P event most of the foreign flyers do not have access to either Estes or Aerotech motors (which is what the U.S. flew). The Brits had great Estes motors but not such great cluster igniters, so they came up with their own.

Basically, the Brits used cellophane quickmatch to tie together what looked like fireworks fuse in each of the 3 motors. Fuses were held in by split Estes white igniter plugs. Quickmatch connected the 3 fuses and was electrically ignited by an Estes igniter. Really clever, really consistent, and really reliable.

After the contest the Brits flew a goofy 4 engine cluster rocket made out of rubbish. I got a nice picture of the igniter system and the rocket with all 4 motors ignited (below).

Just thought you folks would appreciate how our British friends successfully stretched the envelope!
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