During the recent National Sport Launch (NSL) outside of Pueblo, Colorado, the Estes product to get the most attention were the new 29mm diamenter black powder E16 and F15 motors.

Estes displayed many other products at the NSL including a line of kits to use the new E16/F15 motors. These were categorized as Pro Series II models but had the secondary category of being E2X rockets.

As I noted in another thread these models will be two inches in diameter, feature molded plastic fins and nose cones, pre-colored parts, through-the-wall fin tabs, plastic centering rings, a clever two-piece shock cord anchor, plastic motor retainer ring and molded 1/4" plastic launch lugs.

During all three days of the NSL the four different PSII E2X models (Trajector, Ascender, Majestic and Prowler) were flow with different motor combinations and with the PSII E2X Booster as two-stage models.

All the models flew great with the new F15 motors. Several were flown with AeroTech single-use motors without any modification. With an empty weight around ten ounces these models really scooted when flown with the Aerotech motors. The flight of the Prowler model with an AeroTech F50 motor was very fast and high.

While watching the Prowler flight drift off the comment was made, "If you can find it you can keep it!" The Prowler was up so high and being carried away by the wind I thought it wouldn't come down until it reached New Mexico. However, another of the PSII E2X kits, the Majestic, had been flown earlier and had 'landed' somewhat nearby.

I decided to go out and search for it. I knew the general direction it had gone and started walking. I had walked close to a mile without any luck finding the rocket. At that point I decided I would not find it and turned around to walk back to the parking area. I walked back along a different course intending to search on the way back. As luck would have it, I found the model.

It wasn't in very good shape but it was mine.

I will use this thread to examine the Majestic model and the PSII E2X kits in general. I will post my findings and thoughts.

Stay tuned.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

Ouch! Looks like the landing was less than "majestic". Did you roll the 'chute up for the picture, or was it like that when you found the rocket?

__________________
John

Was CAR-ACF# S 337
Was NAR# 91049
Was SAM# 0323

Life begins when the countdown reaches zero!

That's how I found the parachute. It was lying on the ground next to the rocket.

As for the rocket's flight and landing, let me just say that it was a 'Tunick' flight.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

Now it is time to examine the Majestic rocket in greater detail.

I broke out my 'precision' tools to beging a forensic analysis of the model.

Queue up the 'Quincy M.E.' theme music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI3pd-dNN-0

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

The parachute found in this model appeared to be the same as offered in the other PS II kits.

Nylon material and red in color.

This parachute had a twenty inch canopy and eight long shroud lines.

Most mass-market parachutes only have six shroud lines.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

The nose cone of this Majestic rocket suffered quite a bit of 'landing' damage.

This nose cone was painted silver while the actual production models will have a pre-painted nose cone. It appears to be blow-molded.

The plastic wall of the nose cone is fairly thick and heavy-duty. It still retains it's shape after being subjected to a graet deal of force.

The nose cone shoulder is two-inches long with a beefy molded anchor point for the shock cord and parachute.

It appears that three of the four PS II E2X models will use this nose cone. I do not know if this specific nose cone has been used on any othr PS II kits.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

The shock cord found with this model is flat white 1/2" wide elastic which is the same used in other PS II models.

As for the length of the shock cord it appears to be between 86-90 inches. A quite generous amount. I do not know if the production models will have this much shock cord.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

What motor is to blame for the failed deployment?

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unstable by design

The PS II E2X models will use a new shock cord anchoring unit designed by John Boren.

It is two plastic pieces which contain the shock cord. It is molded with a curvature to match the inside diameter of the body tube.

I attempted to take it apart but that only resulted in stabbing myself in the palm with a screwdriver and breaking off some pieces.

It was demonstrated to me at the Estes booth during NSL 2013. Pretty slick.

The unit was assembled and glued to the inside of the body tube with CA adhesive. All glue joints survived the 'landing'.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

Bob,

Thanks for that last post. That saves me making a new thread. Here are several pictures of how that shock cord mount works. John Boren gave me a couple of samples - one glued and one not - specifically for this purpose....

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Bernard Cawley
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