Scorpion Photos

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Scorpion is based on a Dynacom kit but has been highly modified. The airframe is 4-inches in diameter and has a 3-inch motor mount that can accommodate up to an M1315 motor. The airframe is constructed of G12 filament wound fiberglass and the fins are G10 fiberglass.

My Scorpion has two different flight configurations. One is the "standard length" version that deploys the main parachute at apogee. The other is a "stretch version" that is longer and deploys a drogue chute at apogee and a main chute down closer to the ground.

Scorpion Specifications

Length:	8 feet, 1.5 inches (stretch version)
Diameter:	4.125 inches
Weight:	21.7 lbs (w/o motor)
Motor:	75mm mount accommodates up to M1315 motor
Altimeters:	2 each, Missile Works RRC²
Locator:	Walston radio transmitter
Payload:	none
Parachute:	Rocketman R12
Built:	June 1999 (Standard length version), Aug. 2000 (Stretch version)
First Flight:	Aug. 1999 on K550 at LDRS-18 (Standard length version) Sept. 2000 on M1315 at Black Rock desert (Stretch version)
Construction:	Body tube: G12 filament wound fiberglass Fins: 0.125-inch thick G10 fiberglass Nose cone: G12 filament wound fiberglass View Scorpion construction details here.

Scorpion Launch Photos

Click on any photo to see a larger version of it.

Photo by Vern Knowles

Scorpion Flight #32

June 15, 2007

OROC Summer Skies Launch

Brothers, Oregon

Scorpion was launched on an L850 motor to 10,358 feet. The boost phase was nice and vertical and the deployment of the main chute (as planned) was at apogee. Scorpion drifted in the light wind to a landing 1.4 miles away. Fortunately, it was within 200 feet of a two-track dirt road so we were able to drive to it. It was recovered with no damage.

Scorpion Flight #30

Scorpion was flown on an AMW K670GG motor at the Tripoli Idaho launch site on June 2, 2006. It landed about 1/4 mile away and was safely recovered with no damage.

Scorpion Flight #29

The 29th flight of Scorpion was once again on the beautiful Animal Motors Works K670 "Green Gorilla" motor. This motor has become a real favorite to use in this rocket. The launch was October 16, 2005 at the Tripoli Idaho launch site near Swan Falls. It was a perfect flight that reached 3,425 feet. The parachute drifted back over the flight line and landed about 1000 feet away. No damage.

Scorpion Flight #28

Scorpion was launched for the 28^th time on August 13, 2005 at the Tripoli Idaho launch site near Fairfield Idaho. This flight was on the Animal Motors Works K670 "Green Gorilla" motor. It reached 3386 feet in a flawless flight and landed about 1/4 mile away. This sequence of photos was taken by a Canon 20D digital camera positioned close to the launch pad and using a 50mm lens. The shutter speed was 1/8000 of a second. The images above are spaced apart by 200ms.

Photo by Dave McIntyre

Scorpion Flight #27

June 4, 2005

It was a beautiful day in June at the Tripoli Idaho launch site and for a change of pace it was time to fly the Scorpion on something other than a "Green Gorilla" motor. This time an Animal Motors Works K800 "Blue Baboon" was selected. This reload fits the same 54mm 1750NS case as is used for the K670GG.

The K800 Blue Baboon motor exhaust flame.

Scorpion reached 4,537 feet on a very nice flight. It really leaped off the pad.

It landed about 300 yards away with no damage.

Scorpion on the launch pad June 12, 2004.

26th Flight of Scorpion

June 12, 2004

K670 "Green Gorilla" motor

"Pad cam" video of this flight can be see here.

Scorpion on parachute June 12, 2004. Click on photo to see a larger image.

Scorpion reached 3458 feet this day and landed safely to fly another day.

Photo by Rich Boltizar

Scorpion

on a K670GG

May 30, 2004

This was the 25^th flight of Scorpion.

It reached 3738 feet which is very typical for this motor.

This was at the Tripoli Idaho, Swan falls launch site.

A "Pad Cam" video of this flight can be seen here!

Scorpion Flight #24

May 2, 2004

Scorpion climbs the launch rail on an Aerotech K1100 Blue Thunder motor on its way to 2704 feet. Good boost for a nice flight.

Scorpion nears touchdown on May 2, 2004.

Scorpion flight #24 draws to a close with a soft landing provided by the Rocketman R12 parachute.

Scorpion Flight #23

March 20, 2004

Liftoff on a K550. Deployment seemed to occur just a little early, but no damage. Reached 2682 feet.

Scorpion launch on a K670 "Green Gorilla" motor at XPRS 2003.

21^st Flight of Scorpion

Scorpion liftoff on an Animal Motor Works K670 "Green Gorilla" motor at the XPRS-2 launch at Black Rock dry lake bed in Nevada on September 28, 2003.

Unfortunately parachute deployment was a bit early on this flight so it only reached 2431 feet. Normally apogee is about 3700-3800 feet on this motor. The cause of the early ejection is unknown, but there was no damage done.

Scorpion was also launched on a Green Gorilla motor on Nov. 1, 2003 at the Tripoli Idaho Swan Falls launch site. This was the 22nd flight. It had a very nice liftoff and boost phase, but the parachute tangled and did not fully inflate. The landing was rather hard but there was no damage. Both Missile Works altimeters reported exactly the same 3854 feet for peak altitude.

Photo by Joe Bowen

Scorpion as K670 Green Gorilla motor comes up to pressure.

Scorpion on K670 Green Gorilla motor at liftoff, Nov. 1, 2003.

Photo by Joe Bowen

Scorpion on K670GG at Fairfield Idaho launch site on August 23, 2003.

Scorpion on parachute at Fairfield Idaho launch site on August 23, 2003.

I launched the standard length version of Scorpion at the Fairfield Idaho launch site on August 23, 2003. This flight was also on an Animal Motor Works K670 "Green Gorilla" motor. Unfortunately, the exposure for this photo was such that the bright green flame over exposed the film and ended up looking washed out and rather white in the photo. This was the 20th flight of Scorpion! It reached 3737 feet and was recovered without a scratch.

Photo by Jose Guerricabeitia

Rocket: Scorpion (stretch version)

Length: 8 feet, 1.5 inches

Diameter: 4.125 inches

Weight at lift off: 34 lbs with M1315

I'm standing next to my "stretch version" of Scorpion at Black Rock Desert on Sept. 9, 2000. I flew it twice that day on M1315 motors. The first flight reached 14,700 feet and was recovered 2.7 miles away. The second flight reached 15,500 feet and was recovered 2.0 miles away. The altimeters were set for apogee deployment. Both were great flights!

Vern arming altimeters in Scorpion at Black Rock 2000

Photo by Rich Boltizar

Arming the altimeters prior to launch. A small tool is inserted into the altimeter static port in order to actuate a small toggle switch. This rocket uses two Missile Works RRC² altimeters for redundancy. Each altimeter is completely independent, including arming switches.

See the Missile Works web site for information about RRC² altimeters.

Scorpion launch on M1315 at Black Rock in Sept 2000

The Scorpion lifts off on an M1315 at Black Rock Desert on Sept 9, 2000. This flight reached 15,500 feet.

This rocket was also flown with an M1315 motor at a Tripoli Idaho Launch on Nov. 18, 2000. That flight reached 15,355 feet. A video of it is available here.

Vern with Scorpion at Swan Falls launch site on April 19, 2003

Scorpion on K550 at the Swan Falls launch site on April 19, 2003

I launched the standard length version of the Scorpion on a K550 motor at the Tripoli Idaho Swan Falls launch site on April 19, 2003. Liftoff weight was 21.5 lbs. Very nice flight to 3198 feet.

Vern with Scorpion at Brothers Oregon in July 2002

Photo by Scott Carter

Photo by Richie Boltizar

Scorpion recovery on parachute at Brothers Oregon in July 2002

I also launched the standard length version of the Scorpion on a K695 Redline motor at the Brothers Oregon launch site on July 21, 2002. Great flight! Peak altitude was 2651 feet.

Photo by Rich Boltizar

Scorpion launch on a K550 at Brothers Oregon in June 2003.

Standard length Scorpion at the Brothers Oregon launch site on June 22, 2003. Liftoff on a K550. Apogee was at 2663 feet.

Photo by Rich Boltizar

Scorpion on K670GG at the Brothers Oregon launch site on July 20, 2003.

Scorpion on a K670 "Green Gorilla" motor. This motor is produced by Animal Motor Works and has a very bright green flame. (Unfortunately, the exposure was such that the bright green flame over exposed the film and looks washed out and white.)

This flight was on July 20, 2003 at the Brothers Oregon launch site. It reached 3802 feet. Perfect flight!

Scorpion on AMW K670GG motor at Fairfield launch site on July 26, 2003.

Scorpion on parachute at Fairfield site on July 26, 2003

This is another view of the Green Gorilla motor, but it still doesn't do it justice.

This flight was at the Tripoli Idaho launch site near Fairfield Idaho on July 26, 2003. This was also a K670GG and reached 3722 feet. Another nice flight!

Vern with Scorpion at SpudRoc-6 in May 2001

Photo by Scott Carter

Scorpion launch on M1315 at SpudRoc-6 in May 2001

The stretch version of Scorpion was flown on an M1315 motor at the Tripoli Idaho SpudRoc-6 launch in May 2001. It reached 14,234 feet on a perfect flight with dual deployment recovery.

Scorpion on the launch pad on May 21, 2000

Rocket Name: Scorpion (standard length)

Length: 6 feet 10 inches

Diameter: 4.125 inches

Weight at liftoff: 25 lbs with L850 motor

My modified Dynacom Scorpion is ready for launch on an L850 motor. This is an all fiberglass rocket. It employs two Missile Works RRC² altimeters for redundant deployment of the main chute at apogee. A Walston radio finding transmitter is also on board.

Scorpion launch on L850 motor at SpudRoc-5 in May 2000

The Scorpion lifts off on an L850 at the SpudRoc-5 launch on May 21, 2000. This flight was precisely STRAIGHT up. One altimeter reported 10298 feet and the other reported 10174 feet. The rocket was safely recovered approximately 2 miles from the launch pad.

Scorpion on parachute at Brothers Oregon in 2001

Scorpion on the way up and then on the way back down.

Vern and Jose putting Scorpion in the launch pad in Nov 1999

Photo by Alan Knowles

The four photos shown above are from November 1999 when I launched the standard length Scorpion on an L850 motor at our Crater Rings launch site. Peak altitude was 9848 feet. A short video of this launch is available here.