Opinion time
#1 Opinion time
Taking everything you've experienced, seen, heard or watched, in your opinion what is the engine (or motor) most likely to have a problem? OOP Not included.
Commander
Starport Sagitta
NAR No.97971
Starport Sagitta
NAR No.97971
- Joe Wooten
- Space Lieutenant
- Posts: 407
- Joined: Wed, 06 Apr 16, 13:26 pm
#2 Re: Opinion time
I really don't know. I have had CATO's on every BP engine except the 13mm and the new 29 mm E/F. NO particular one stands out. Estes does put out a good reliable product.
- Rocket Babe
- Space Babe
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- Joined: Wed, 30 Mar 16, 23:34 pm
- Location: Alabama
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#3 Re: Opinion time
Estes E's. I wouldn't use one in anything of mine, ever! Same for a C5.
- Joe Wooten
- Space Lieutenant
- Posts: 407
- Joined: Wed, 06 Apr 16, 13:26 pm
#4 Re: Opinion time
I never had a problem with either the Estes or Centuri C5's. In fact, I still have several properly stored C5-0's I still use occasionally for 2 and 3 stage rockets. I have seen more C6 CATO's then C5.
- Trident
- Space Chief Petty officer
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Wed, 30 Mar 16, 16:02 pm
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
#5 Re: Opinion time
I've heard more about CATOs than actually experienced. I think living in Colorado, where it is pretty dry, combined with storing my motors in my basement, which sees little change in temperature year-round, makes a big difference. I also keep my motors out of direct sunlight at launches, to keep the temperature cycling to a minimum.
Years ago I had a D12 get so hot it bubbled the paint on the rocket. It flew OK, and ejected the chute, but the rocket was severely damaged near the motor mount. It was in a batch of assorted motors I had bought years ago from someone getting out of the hobby. They were out of the packaging, in a box. I have no idea how they were stored. Most now are just really old motors in my collection (this odd lot contained some B14 motors from 1969).
Years ago I had a D12 get so hot it bubbled the paint on the rocket. It flew OK, and ejected the chute, but the rocket was severely damaged near the motor mount. It was in a batch of assorted motors I had bought years ago from someone getting out of the hobby. They were out of the packaging, in a box. I have no idea how they were stored. Most now are just really old motors in my collection (this odd lot contained some B14 motors from 1969).
Lee
Bulds: Estes Saturn V, Super Sky Hook, Farside-X
Awaiting Paint/Detailing: Estes Saturn 1B
Completed!: Der Saturn Max, Bandit XL
Bulds: Estes Saturn V, Super Sky Hook, Farside-X
Awaiting Paint/Detailing: Estes Saturn 1B
Completed!: Der Saturn Max, Bandit XL
- Ghrocketman
- Space Petty Officer
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Thu, 28 Apr 16, 15:16 pm
- Location: Michigan
#6 Re: Opinion time
The ONLY C5's that cato regularly are from ONE date-code lot in ALL of the Estes production of that motor.
I have had VERY few Estes catos overall.
I even flew D-kaboom-13's without incident as well as E15's without incident from Estes first foray into E motors.
The only catos that really stand out were several C5-3's from the bad date code (one each destroyed my first Mars Lander and first 1284 Space Shuttle) and a couple D12-0's that spit the nozzle decades ago used in Omega and Comanche-3 boosters.
I have had VERY few Estes catos overall.
I even flew D-kaboom-13's without incident as well as E15's without incident from Estes first foray into E motors.
The only catos that really stand out were several C5-3's from the bad date code (one each destroyed my first Mars Lander and first 1284 Space Shuttle) and a couple D12-0's that spit the nozzle decades ago used in Omega and Comanche-3 boosters.
President, MAYHEM AGITATORS, Inc.
Always MAYHEM, always !
Always MAYHEM, always !