06-03-2011, 08:37 PM
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When Pigs Fly!
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott6060842
I launched a couple of MPC A3-2's from the late 60's a couple of weeks ago. The first rocket (streamer recovery) had a melt down about 50 ft off the pad. I read the term "skunked" somewhere...thats what I would call it. Destroyed.
So of course I had to put another one in a Semroc spaceman. That sucker when up in a cloud of smoke, sparks and stench that was quite impressive. Awesome. Went pretty high too. No ejection though and the spaceman came down head first on a cement path, trailing smoke the whole way. The spaceman had a broken arm, a flat head and a little neck damage but will live to fly another day.
So I guess the point is don't fly old MPC's in anything you value until you test them out first, although I value my remaining stash for the above reasons.
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I have a LOT of old MPC/AVI engines that I have been flying lately, without any problems.
Granted, your A3-2s from the late 1960s are a few years older than mine.
And I do agree, they smell much more than a new engine after firing.
Lots more delay smoke too!
I wasn't able to get them to ignite with the old MPC igniters though. Usually the pyrogen was broken off.
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