"Big and draggy" rockets generally need a C6-3, not a C6-5. Unless you want to eject way after apogee and risk stripping the chute, you can't get very big or very draggy with a 5 second delay. Since you mention mass and launch rod length specifically, I'll rephrase it this way - You don't want a lot of mass with a 5 second delay motor, regardless of launch rod length. It's the wrong motor for the job you are wanting to accomplish unless your field is large enough for a Big Bertha size rocket. How about giving us your field dimensions so we can get an idea if the Big Bertha on a C6-5 is too much?

Competition winning finishes aren't the only thing that decades of experience brings. It also brings experience of what it takes to recover on small fields.

You'd be much better off ordering the correct motors to match your rockets and field size than you would trying to make a C6-5 motor fit your field. Order from the right place and you won't spend any more than you would for WalMart C6-5's.

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I love sanding.

Enclosed is a picture of my answer, "CW saucer", short for Cool Whip. I flew it again today 4 times, for 30, 6 year olds and is always a big hit! So simple to build too! I highly recommend building one and will take about 1/2 an hour.

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Doesn't look like you won the drag race, garmtn.

Great idea, tho.

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Kit (aka Cranky Kong)

I'm just a roadie for the banned...

Saucers are good fun and a real hit with folks. Fliskits has that two stager that is so cool, and everyone loved it. Art Applewhites are a hit, and the 24mm's are a blast. Then there is the "pizza to go." Gotta love it.

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Enjoy life, it has an expiration date.

I have not actually seen the proposed field so don't have the dimensions.

My question was really more of a general one though - the mass market retail chain seems to have decided that there's one engine suitable for the general public. Obviously they chose wrong, but maybe we can find a way to work around that.

Let's be honest - assembling a rocket kit and flying it on a purchased motor is not much challenge for an adult. So instead folks look for ways to make it harder. The risk takers make their own motors. The craftsmen build really interesting rockets with great finishes. Others compete for altitude or various flying performance challenges. Some get certified for much larger motors. Those are all (well, maybe not the DIY motors) quite legitimate ways to make a kid-simple activity more rewarding for adults.

I think trying to find a way to use the most widely available motors is an appropriate challenge. If it were trivially simple, it wouldn't be much of one. The long ejection delay looks like one of the major issues, but perhaps there are ways to work around that.

If it is a challenge you are seeking, try this: build a draggy model. Deploy a streamer with an altimeter. Use the motor's ejection charge to deploy your parachute at a lower altitude. No waste and looks really cool.


Bill

ummmmm

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Yes, I was thinking about some things like that (possibly G sensor and delay rather than altimiter). Part of the challenge is figuring out a lightweight non-pyrotechnic electromechanical actuator. Or a safe, available pyrotechnic one (there's always mini engines as ejection drivers, but when those are on hand might as well just fly on them)

Then there was also the spring-ejected boost pod idea, held in by a burn string over the motor *nozzle* - the idea being that it's held in by thrust from the time of ignition until burnout. Don't know if it would work though, in particular if thrust builds instantly enough.

Of course, you could always build a much larger model, and use several of the C6-5 motors to power it.

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Have Fun,
Harold

I hate rules.

I loft my camera regulary on 3x c6-5's ( in a patriot) and yes regulary drop it with streamers , some times ALOT of them , a bundel of crepe drops fairly straight , and does slow it down somewhat .

However thinking about it , anything built on a BT80 , with plywood fins , mounted 3/4 up the body tube , wit ttw , you could fly with streamers , and 9 times out of 10 it will hit you on the head on a c6-5 .
Seriously , just fore mounting the fins a bit , will make it survive nearly anything

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