The Shadow #2

This is my first completely scratch-built rocket, and is a remake of my previous favorite rocket "The Shadow" by Estes. I used two 14.2" BT-80 tubes to make the body and one 14.2" tube to make a payload section, so it is 3.2" taller than the original. I made the fins from 3/32" plywood, and the small leading fins from basswood. I did through-the-wall mounting of the main fins to the motor mount. I also used 3/32" plywood for centering rings, and it is built with a 29mm motor mount. I also put in a balsa baffle system, so no more wadding. I used 3 pan-head sheet metal screws to keep the nose cone on the payload section. This was my favorite last year, and it has carried the IA-X96 altimeter on many flights. It survived 10 'G', 4 'F', and 4 'E' motor flights in its first month.

Dia: 2.6"; Length: 50.5"; Wt. 15.1 oz.; Motor (1): 29mm
Status: Active

Flt Date Motor Comments
1) 7/28/97 E23-5T Excellect flight and perfect delay.
2) 7/28/97 E23-5T IA-X96 payload. Only 242 ft. with the added weight.
3) 7/28/97 F40-4W IA-X96 payload, reported 899 ft.
4) 7/31/97 F40-7W Delay seems too long, but a nice flight.
5) 7/31/97 G64-4W IA-X96 payload, reported 1791 ft., 9.5 Gs, 264 max mph.
6) 8/02/97 E23-5T Nice flight.
7) 8/02/97 E16-4W Another nice flight and perfect delay.
8) 8/04/97 G64-7W Another nice flight, delay ejected about one second past apogee.
9) 8/04/97 G64-7W IA-X96 payload, reported 1560 ft., 8.7 Gs, 255 max mph. Tiny zipper.
10) 8/04/97 G64-7W IA-X96 payload, garbage data.
11) 8/04/97 G80-4T IA-X96 payload, reported 1535 ft., 8.3 Gs, 248 max mph.
12) 8/07/97 G64-7W IA-X96 payload, reported 1747 ft., 10.3 Gs, 264 max mph.
13) 8/07/97 G64-7W IA-X96 payload, reported 1689 ft., 10.2 Gs, 264 max mph.
14) 8/11/97 G64-7W IA-X96 payload, reported garbage data. Small hole in payload section.
15) 8/22/97 F39-6T IA-X96 payload, reported 542 ft., 5.6 Gs, 119 max mph. Payload flight for NARTREK Silver level.
16) 8/27/97 F52-5T IA-X96 payload, reported 1028 ft., 8.1 Gs, 187 max mph. Developing some mild body tube creases.
17) 8/30/97 G75-6J Excellent flight. IA-X96 payload, reported 2077 ft., 8.9 Gs, 308 max mph. Landed 10 yards from pad.
18) 8/31/97 G75-6J Another excellent flight. IA-X96 payload, reported 2081 ft., 7.1 Gs, 297 max mph.
19) 1/31/98 F37-6W Nice flight and perfect delay.
20) 4/02/98 G80-7T IA-X96 payload, reported 1761 ft., 10.4 Gs, 259 max mph.
21) 4/16/98 G54-10W Nice flight, delay a little long.
22) 4/23/98 H128-10W Excellent flight, delay a little long. IA-X96 payload, reported 2536 ft., 19.9 Gs, 405 max mph. Tore the bottom launch lug off.
23) 5/25/98 G75-10J Nice flight, delay a little long.
24) 3/25/99 G33-5J Nice flight and good delay.
25) 7/10/99 G33-5J Nice flight.
26) 8/14/99 G33-5J Nice flight. Chute tangled, no damage.
27) 10/14/00 G38-7FJ Nice flight. Delay too short.
28) 10/14/00 G33-7J Nice flight.
29) 10/26/00 G33-7J Nice flight.
30) 7/21/01 G33-7J Nice flight.
31) 7/20/02 G33-7J Nice flight. Delay too long.
32) 7/20/02 G33-5J Nice flight.
33) 4/12/03 G40-7W Nice flight.

Pictures
A rear view of my Shadow #2 with through the wall fin mounting.
Shadow #2 before its first flight. 7/28/97.
Shadow #2 taking off on a G80-4T. 8/04/97.
Shadow #2 heading back to Earth. 8/07/97.
Shadow #2 taking off on a G54-10W. 4/16/98.
Shadow #2 taking off on a G75-10J. 5/25/98.
The Shadow #2 on a G33-5J. 7/10/99.
The Shadow #2 on a G33-7J. 10/26/00.

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