Saturday, 3 October 2009
Rocket Store launch
Next rocket meeting,
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Monday, 21 September 2009
A fantastic day at B
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Just setting off on
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Rattworks now loaded
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Introduction To Estes Motors
Estes Motors
Estes motors have been the primary model rocket motor used worldwide for many years since their introduction in the late 1960's. Literally millions have been fired by hobbyists and schools and they have achieved an exemplary safety record.
Rocket Store usually stock all the Estes motors which are legal for the UK marketand these can be found in our Online Store.
Introduction to Estes Motors
Estes motors are available in three diameter sizes, 13mm, 18mm and 24mm and in 4 different power bands and provide power from less than A up to D class power. If you are not familar with rocket motor impulse classes, then have a quick read of our factsheet.
Estes are the only black powder motors currently available in the UK and motors are available in A-D sizes. Estes do offer an E motor, however the E engine is not covered under the same pyrotechnic exemption in the UK as A to D are, and are therefore not legal in the UK unfortunately.
Black Powder motors are typically sold in packs of 3 or 4 and cost approximately £9 - £16 per pack depending upon size. The engines are ignited using small igniters provided with the motors.
UK Legal Estes Motors
There are a few Estes motors that aren't currently legal in the UK so we have put together a list of those ones legal for the UK market. If it isn't listed below then as far as we are aware they arent legal for the UK.
| Name | Impulse Class | Diam(mm) | Peak Impulse(N) | Avg Impulse(N) | Burn Time(s) | Tot Impulse(Ns) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2A3-2T | <> | 13 | 8.3 | 4.17 | 0.3 | 1.25 |
| 1/2A3-4T | <> | 13 | 8.3 | 4.17 | 0.3 | 1.25 |
| 1/2A6-2 | <> | 18 | 8.9 | 4.17 | 0.3 | 1.25 |
| A3-4T | A | 13 | 6.8 | 4.17 | 0.6 | 2.5 |
| A8-3 | A | 18 | 10.7 | 5 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| A8-5 | A | 18 | 10.7 | 5 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| A10-3T | A | 13 | 13 | 3.13 | 0.8 | 2.5 |
| B4-2 | B | 18 | 13.2 | 4.54 | 1.1 | 5 |
| B4-4 | B | 18 | 13.2 | 4.54 | 1.1 | 5 |
| B6-2 | B | 18 | 12.1 | 6.25 | 0.8 | 5 |
| B6-4 | B | 18 | 12.1 | 6.25 | 0.8 | 5 |
| B6-6 | B | 18 | 12.1 | 6.25 | 0.8 | 5 |
| C5-3 | C | 18 | 21.9 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 9.5 |
| C6-0 | C | 18 | 15.3 | 6.25 | 1.6 | 10 |
| C6-3 | C | 18 | 15.3 | 6.25 | 1.6 | 10 |
| C6-5 | C | 18 | 15.3 | 6.25 | 1.6 | 10 |
| C6-7 | C | 18 | 15.3 | 6.25 | 1.6 | 10 |
| D11-P | D | 24 | 27.6 | 11.1 | 1.8 | 20 |
| D12-0 | D | 24 | 32.9 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 16.8 |
| D12-3 | D | 24 | 32.9 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 16.8 |
| D12-5 | D | 24 | 32.9 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 16.8 |
| D12-7 | D | 24 | 32.9 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 16.8 |
Anatomy Of An Estes Motor
A black powder motor is one of the simplist and reliable solid rocket motors
available. As with all rocket motors, it has a motor case, however due to the low
power of the motors, a cardboard casing is fine.
The motor contains a nozzle made of clay. This is possible once again due to the
low power. The propellant is next followed by the delay grain. The delay grain is
a simple mechanism to stop the ejection charge from being detonated once the propellant
has finished burning. The clay cap is used to just hold in the ejection charge.
What Do the Numbers Mean ?
A common question asked by beginners is, what do those numbers and letters
mean? Lets explain the example as shown above, the A8-3 motor.
A: The A letter indicates the total power (in Newton-seconds) produced by the engine. Each
succeeding letter has up to twice the total power as the previous letter.
(Example: "B" engines have up to twice the power of "A" engines, which results in
approximately twice the altitude the rocket will reach.)
8: The number after the letter, in this example the 8 denotes the average thrust of the
rocket motor in Newtons.
3: The last number, in this example the 3 denotes the time delay in seconds after the thrust
phase finishes that the ejection charge will be fired.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Just loading van rea
Monday, 22 June 2009
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Model Rockets; Getting Started
Model rockets are great fun for all the family and as a hobby are comparably cheap to run. Like many hobbies, there is a certain amount of investment at the start, but once this initial relatively small outlay is done, model rockets are remarkable value for money.Typically to get started, all you need is an area to launch in, take a football pitch and squash it into a square shape and that should be enough for a B motor in a model rocket and of course the vital supplies. There are several Starter Kits available that include a rocket, launch pad and launch controller, but the standard starter kits do not include motors, wadding or batteries, so be careful when choosing a Starter Kit to make sure to buy the extras needed. Alternatively you can buy a package, such as one of the Rocket Store Beginners Bundles. These bundles include literally everything you need to try out this fantastic hobby.
If you enjoy it and rockets are for you, then get a good book, a replacement parachute and change your wadding for a firewall. Then try other model rockets, they start at just £5.
Remember most model shops won't have any experience with rocketry, even if they do sell a few items. For the best advice always use a specialist shop such as Rocket Store who can advise you before you purchase.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
US Rocketeers Win against the BATFE
For many years rocketeers in the US have been challenging the BATFE decision to class AP motors as an explosive. This regulation over the years has made it difficult for many flyers in the US to participate due to the costs of an LEUP (equivalent to our Explosives License). 
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