For a long time I have had 2 very large tubes and a nose cone wrapped in bubble wrap just waiting to be turned into a rocket.
After years of just looking at the tubes, being took scared to build them into a rocket they were just left to stand next to my growing collection of rockets.
Then in 2007, my main High Power rocket “Tubular HART” was destroyed after air got into the bottom section while the rocket was still under power, this caused to the rocket to separate at high speed and caused un-repairable damage to a large section of the airframe.
I first thought about building a new version of “Tubular H.A.R.T.” but I then noticed the big tubes just waiting to be used.
At that moment the “H.A.R.T. STOPPER” was born.
I spent the next few weeks designing the rocket on Rocksim and testing out various designs and motor configurations.
I still hope to be able to use the rocket for my U.K.R.A. Level 2 certification but I have had a lot of help from friends to get the rocket built so I will have to wait and see.
Many thanks goes to Malcolm and Michael of Rockets and Things for helping in the majority of the build but I also had a lot of help and advice from other rocketeers.
Also another big thanks must goto my friend Laurie Calvert wife Pauline who came up with the name “H.A.R.T. STOPPER”
Lastly thanks must goto my good mate Barrie Jones who did the fantastic Paint Job on the rocket and is currently adding the last finishing touches and logo.
H.A.R.T. STOPPERS TECH INFO
| LENGTH | 8.5 FEET |
| WIDTH | 6 INCHES |
| SPAN | 1.6 FEET |
| WEIGHT | 16 LBS + |
| RECOVERY | 6 FOOT PARACHUTE |
| MAIDEN FLIGHT DATE | 11TH MAY 2008 |
| MOTOR | PRO 54 J380 |
| SIM ALTITUDE | 1,800 FEET |
| SIM MAX SPEED | 217 M.P.H. |
| PLANNED ONBOARD ELECTRONICS FOR MAIDEN FLIGHT | ALTIMETER CAMERA GPS TRACKER (possible) RADIO TRACKER (backup) |
| FULL FLIGHT DATE | TO BE CONFIRMED |
| PLANNED ONBOARD ELECTRONICS FOR FULL FLIGHT | ALTIMETER (x2) CAMERA – 1+ GPS TRACKER RADIO TRACKER (backup) |
| MOTOR | PRO 54 “K” |
| SIM ALTITUDE | 5,700 FEET |
| SIM MAX SPEED | 480 M.P.H. |
Article in local newspaper
Last week the local newspaper came round and did a story on my new rocket build, and today the edition with my article in it came out. Below is a copy. The article and photo is really good apart from 2 small mistakes, the rocket weighs around 16lbs not 13 Stone, and I live in Hornchurch. But I’m still really pleased with it.
HART STOPPER LAUNCHES !!
After weeks of worrying and stress, the day 11th May 2008, finally came to launch the “HART Stopper”
Many thanks must goto Michael Jennings and his Dad Malcolm, Richard Brown, Michael Cain, Howard Smith and all the other rocketeers at Crock as they all helped in getting the rocket ready and watching my nerves shred – (along with my shirt!)
The rocket was placed on the pad and at 2:55pm the rocket powered into life and accelerated skywards.
After what felt like a week but was actually just over 14 seconds both parachutes deployed perfectly and the rocket slowly floated down.
The rocket landed on the very edge of the field we were in and was dragged a small way into the long grass.
The onboard GPS worked and sent back the location and once the rocket was recovered I checked the G-Whiz Altimeter to get a recorded altitude of 2,652 Feet which was 800 feet over the sim estimate.
Apart from a small crack in one of the fin glue fillets the rocket was perfect and will hopefully fly again. – just once my nerves recover.
