My Sugar "Flutter Rockets" on the weekend

[stix]

Sometimes "Simplicity is it's own reward" - Sorry no video needed.

 

What I call "Flutter Rockets" are melted sugar wrapped around a cold rod to create a grain of fuel - blocked at one end. This is not new, but it does make for some simple rockets and a sense of harmless enjoyment .

 

Attached to a lightweight stick, the so called rocket takes off with power and burns out at altitude, the remnants simply "flutter harmlessly" to the ground.

 

[EDIT] I know this "flutter Rocket" seems simple, but it does take some thought.

Edited November 1, 2016 by stix

[kramrocket]

I've used this method myself stix, and it is indeed, a great way to whip up a simple rocket to entertain !!!

Did this some time back for a cousin, all I had to bring was some Pot.Nitrate... he supplied the sugar, frying pan and a few thin sticks !!! I used the water/dissolve method.

He was impressed !!!!!

[stix]

Yeah, it's pretty easy to whip up. It's also nice not to have to worry about a nozzle or casing.

 

I wonder how big you could go? The ones I made did not include any burn rate enhancer like red iron oxide, so I would imagine you could include it on bigger ones.

[Redrocketman]

I made one 500mm x 50mm with a 3/4" core. Must have had a void or crack, just went up in a MASSIVE ball of flame and smoke!!!

[kramrocket]

I made one 500mm x 50mm with a 3/4" core. Must have had a void or crack, just went up in a MASSIVE ball of flame and smoke!!!

 

My god I bet it did !!!!! That would have been about 1.4 kilos of fuel !!!! I am assuming you were not near it.....

I've only ever used about 20 grams.

[stix]

I made one 500mm x 50mm with a 3/4" core. Must have had a void or crack, just went up in a MASSIVE ball of flame and smoke!!!

 

That is HUGE!!!!!. Good for trying it out though. There is a point with scaling any motor configuration, ie. diminishing returns etc.

 

What I was getting at is the appeal of a simple "flutter rocket" where you don't have to concern yourself with a nozzle or casing. Attach a thin stick and the remanants (stick) simply "flutters" to the ground - no harm done.

 

The wonderful thing is that when you see it work, you do get an understanding about some basic forces at work - a revalation of sorts, nothing to do with math particularly, but simple observation.

 

btw. I'm talking about sugar-rockets, not easily doable with black powder because it burns too quick.

[Redrocketman]

I've now successfully designed and fired my largest, and largest I've seen bar some in AER being my 'BETAIII' 52mm X 550mm K-748 running a conservative 19.5mm throat dia. Absolutely insane. Built 2, the 2nd having the complete nozzle assembly & end cap let go after driving the motor case 280mm into the ground after snapping the test stand mounts!!! Even Richard Nakka is impressed saying ' a successful firing of a large PVC motor such as yours is a significant accomplishment ' !!! Honoured is an understatement!! Have F - K class reliable with the I class particularly powerful ( almost scary!! ) with reliable delay grain BP department for all bar K 😊😊😊😊😆 oh, still to reduce throat & tweak core dia on the 50mm, then go from 4 to 6 grains, taking total motor length to 760mm @ 395psi!!! That will theoretically class among the largest in Aus, O being the largest PVC motor ever but i think it CATOED but testing will only tell, after finishing the 3 kit rockets and scratch build genuine HPR ( 2 - 3/4" X 6ft )

Sorry bout spelling I'm tired!!