Water Rocket Gallery

Air Command

Water Rockets

last updated: 9th November 2008 - FTC rocket and parachute deployment details

Construction - Basic

Construction - Advanced

Robinson Coupling

Splicing Bottles

Reinforcing Bottles

Side Deployment

Drop Away Boosters

Katz Stager Mk2.

Video Taping Tips

Flight Computer

V1.3, V1.3.1, V1.3.2

Deploy Timer 1.1

Flight Log Updates

#69 - FTC Rocket

#68 - Calibrated Thrust Experiments

#67 - Test Stand

#66 - Multistage Rocket

#65 - Baryon II

#64 - Thermal Testing

#63 - Mk2 Stager Flights

#62 - 15mm Nozzles

#61 - Fog & Polaron VI

#58 - Tornado Coupling

#57 - Acceleron IV

#56 - Launcher Details

#55 - Polaron IV

#52 - New Launcher

#51 - Katz Stager

#50 - Fire and Water

#49 - Foam vs. Water

#48 - J4IIIb Crash

#47 - Polaron IV

#46 - Glue Tests

#1 to #45 (Updates)

Special Interest

Contact Details

Rocket Gallery

This section contains the technical specifications of water rockets built by the Air Command team. They are arranged roughly in order of development.

Rocket variations refer to a typical rebuild of the same rocket. A rebuild is generally due to either damage to the rocket after a hard landing or an added feature. Rockets that did not have a name when they were flown have been categorised here as "AC".

Click the image below to view a comparison of the rocket sizes,
or scroll down the page for full details and photos.

AC #1

	AC #1

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	4th June 2006
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9 mm
Fill Volume:	390 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 300 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	~ 40 - 50 psi
Dry Weight:	51 grams
Recovery:	None
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	First bottle launched on the horizontal launcher. It had no fins or nosecone.

AC #2

	AC #2 (lower right)

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	11th June 2006
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9 mm
Dry Weight:	Unknown - ~ 110 grams
Fill Volume:	430 mL
Launch Pressure:	~ 30 - 70 psi
Recovery:	None
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	First bottle launched on the vertical launcher. Simple nosecone made from another bottle. The ring fin used Venetian blinds for struts. These buckled badly on landing.

AC #3

	AC #3 (on launcher)

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	11th June 2006
Capacity:	2 L
Nozzle Size:	9 mm
Fill Volume:	620 mL
Launch Pressure:	~ 30 - 70 psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown - ~120 grams
Recovery:	None
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	First 2L rocket launched on the vertical launcher. The fins were similar to AC #2. Also became quite damaged on impact.

AC #4

	AC #4 (I) ( left )
	AC #4 (II)
	AC #4 (II)
	AC #4 (II)

Variations:	I and II ( Later became Brotanek )
Entered Service:	18th June 2006 ( I ) 2nd July 2006 ( II )
Capacity:	1.25L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	450 mL
Dimensions:	Length: Unknown, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	Unknown, but around 80psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	None. ( I ) Deploying air brakes. ( II )
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket had more solid fin struts ( IC packaging ) and a shaped medium density large nosecone. Version II later included three air brakes that deployed using a wire ring that would fall off. This worked partially only on one occasion and the design was abandoned. The ring had two sinkers attached on wires that would help work the ring loose as they flapped about.

AC #5

	AC #5 ( middle )

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	18th June 2006
Capacity:	2 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	620 mL
Dimensions:	Length: Unknown, diameter: 110 mm
Launch Pressure:	Unknown, but around 80psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket had 2 fin struts made out of PVC moulding.

Clobrda

	Clobrda ( I ) ( far right )
	Clobrda ( II ) ( second from right )
	Clobrda ( I ) ( third from left )

Variations:	I and II
Entered Service:	18th June 2006 ( I ) 9th July 2006 ( II )
Capacity:	1 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	380 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 450 mm, diameter: 80 mm
Launch Pressure:	Unknown, but around 80psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	None. ( I ) Parachute draped over nosecone. ( II )
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This is a non PET bottle. The nosecone was made from soft foam. This rocket was virtually indestructible because it always made soft landings. Version II used a handkerchief as a parachute. The parachute was draped over the nosecone. This proved to cause too much drag and although the parachute opened, the rocket didn't gain much altitude. The parachute was removed.

AC #6

	AC #6

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	18th June 2006
Capacity:	2 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	620 mL
Dimensions:	Length: Unknown, diameter: 110 mm
Launch Pressure:	Unknown, but around 80psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket had 2 fin struts made out of PVC moulding. The fins were taken from AC#5 The nose cone contained a heavy foam back half of a kids ball. The nosecone also had an outside shell made from the top of a bottle. The body was made from a Coke bottle.

Little Man

	Little Man ( I )
	Little Man ( I )
	Little Man ( II ) ( far right )

Variations:	I and II
Entered Service:	2nd July 2006 ( I ) 5th August 2006 ( II )
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	450 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 430 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	~ 80 psi ( I ) 120 psi (typical) 145 psi ( max ) ( II )
Dry Weight:	130 grams
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket used as its nosecone part of a foam ball with whistles. The nosecone was considerably heavy and so the fin struts were shortened. The fin struts were made from Venetian blinds which would buckle quite badly on impact. Later the fin struts were reinforced with bamboo skewers. This rocket was also the first to reach 145 psi.

Brotanek

	Brotanek ( I ) second from left
	Brotanek ( I ) second from left
	Brotanek ( I )
	Brotanek ( II )

Variations:	I and II
Entered Service:	9th July 2006 ( I ) 5th August 2006 ( II )
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	450 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 590 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	100 - 110 psi (max) ( I ) 120 psi typical - 140 psi (max) ( II)
Dry Weight:	148 grams
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket was one of the first to be equipped with a parachute. At the time it set the longest flight time of around 17 seconds. This rocket uses IC packaging as fin strut material. Brotanek II had a new main bottle and a slightly different nosecone.

Cena

	Cena ( second from the right )
	Cena

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	9th July 2006
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	450mL
Dimensions:	Length: 525 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	120 psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Active
Notes:	This was a good performing early rocket. It made quite a number of flights with little damage done to it. It was painted gold to make it easier to see.

John John

	John John ( left most)

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	30th July 2006
Capacity:	600 mL
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	230 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 410 mm, diameter: 75 mm
Launch Pressure:	80 - 120 (max to date)
Dry Weight:	70 grams
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket has a nosecone made from medium density foam, and fin struts are made from bamboo reinforced Venetian blinds. This rocket is pretty tough and survives most landings simply because it is so light.

TNT

	TNT ( third from the right)
	TNT
	TNT ( fourth from the right )

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	30th July 2006
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	450 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 520 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	110 psi typical, 130 psi (max)
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This was one of our first rockets to use a parachute successfully. Later it was painted black to make it easier to see in the sky.

Jordan

	Jordan ( fourth from the left )
	Jordan ( third from the right )
	Jordan
	Jordan

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	30th July 2006
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	370 mL
Dimensions:	Length: 460 mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	100 psi typical 120 psi (max)
Dry Weight:	93 grams
Recovery:	None.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	Our lightest and highest flying rocket at the time. It was specifically designed to be lean and lightweight. There was a small brass weight under the medium density foam nosecone. The first rocket we flew with air only.

X-21

	X-21

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	5th August 2006
Capacity:	2.5 L ( 2 x 1.25L ) Used 6mm Robinson coupling
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	Unknown
Dimensions:	Length: Unknown, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	100 psi
Dry Weight:	Unknown
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This was our first rocket to use multiple bottles. It suffered from stability issues, and the parachute did not deploy quite well. This rocket later turned into "OO"

Spek

	Spek I
	Spek II
	Spek II
	Spek II
	Spek III
	Spek III ( third from the right )
	Spek III

Variations:	I, II and III
Entered Service:	5th August 2006 ( I ) 13th August 2006 ( II ) 20th August 2006 ( III )
Capacity:	1.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	600 - 700 mL
Dimensions:	Length: Unknown mm, diameter: 110 mm
Launch Pressure:	110 psi ( I ) 80 psi ( II ) 120 psi ( III )
Dry Weight:	162 grams without nosecone and camera. (camera = 40 grams)
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	Spek I started out as a single bottle rocket. Spek II was our first rocket equipped with a video camera. The Spek rocket was extended by the camera payload section. The camera was well padded inside the payload section. Both Spek I and II used only 2 PVC moulding struts for the ring fin. Spek III had an upgraded fin structure, using 3 IC packaging struts. This rocket later evolved into the Frankovka series. The nosecone was also upgraded.

D.Y.

	D.Y. ( third from the left )
	D.Y.
	D.Y.

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	2nd October 2006
Capacity:	2.25 L
Nozzle Size:	9 mm
Fill Volume:	668 ml
Dimensions:	Length: 640 mm, diameter: 110 mm
Launch Pressure:	130 psi
Dry Weight:	188 grams
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This was an experimental 2.25L rocket. It was designed to test two new technologies. The first was the use of plastic strapping bands for bottle reinforcement and the second was an inexpensive and lightweight ring fin design. The fins were attached by bamboo skewers and tape only.

Clifford

	Clifford
	Clifford
	Clifford
	Clifford ( left most )

Variations:	None
Entered Service:	2nd October 2006
Capacity:	1.5 L
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	480 ml
Dimensions:	Length: 580 mm, diameter: 95 mm
Launch Pressure:	140 psi
Dry Weight:	162 grams
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket was named after Clifford the Big Red dog - one of the kids favourite characters. At the time this was our longest flying rocket without a parachute ( parachute failed to deploy) This one went very high. This rocket also used the same fin design as D.Y. A characteristic of the rocket was the weighted pointy nosecone. This rocket also had the base heat treated to narrow it so the nosecone could be made aerodynamic. This didn't work too well as the rocket stretched again under pressure, preventing the nosecone from releasing. It currently holds our flight time record of 48.2 seconds.

OO

	OO ( I ) ( fourth from the left )
	OO ( I )
	OO ( II )
	OO ( II )
	OO ( II )
	OO ( II )

Variations:	I and II
Entered Service:	13th August 2006 ( I ) 20th August 2006 ( II )
Capacity:	2.5 L ( 2 x 1.25L ) - 6mm Robinson coupling
Nozzle Size:	9mm
Fill Volume:	750 ml
Dimensions:	Length: mm, diameter: 90 mm
Launch Pressure:	80 psi ( I ) 140 psi (typical) 150 psi (max to date) ( II )
Dry Weight:
Recovery:	Version I and II used a single chute NOAA. A number of flights were flown with twin chutes.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket used to hold Air Command's flight duration record of 31.5 seconds. This is a very successful rocket for us. It has performed very well over a great number of flights. Version I was the first rocket that used flat fins as opposed to the normal ring fin. The rocket was quite unstable, but may have been due to a faulty nozzle. Version II had the fins lowered on a ring fin. This rocket also holds the highest pressure rocket launched by us at 150 psi.

Frankovka

	Frankovka I
	Frankovka II
	Frankovka III
	Frankovka III

Variations:	I , II and III
Entered Service:	8th October 2006 ( I ) 22nd October 2006 ( II ) 11th November 2006 ( III )
Capacity:	4 L ( 2 x 2L ) - 6mm Robinson coupling ( I ) and ( III ) 4.25 L ( 1 x 2L and 1x 2.25L) - 6mm Robinson coupling ( II )
Nozzle Size:	9 mm (typical) - 7 mm experiments
Fill Volume:	1250 ml
Dimensions:	Length: 995 mm, diameter: 110 mm
Launch Pressure:	130 psi (typical) 140 psi (max to date)
Dry Weight:	415 grams ( II ) 472 grams ( III ) - includes camera and flight computer.
Recovery:	Version I and II used a single chute NOAA. Version III uses side deploying parachute deployed by V1.2 of the flight computer.
Current Status:	Retired
Notes:	This rocket carried a small video camera. After the last crash, the flight computer was removed, as well as the fin section and used in the Polaron rocket.

J4Y (J4)

	J4Y
	J4Y
	J4Y
	J4Y
	J4 II
	J4 III (on left)
	J4 IIIb ( right )
	J4 IV

Variations:	I, II, III, IIIb, IV
Entered Service:	30th November 2006 ( I ) 11th January 2007 ( II ) 16th September 2007 ( III ) (exploded on launch pad) 30th September 2007 ( IIIb ) 18th November 2007 ( IV )
Capacity:	3.75 L ( 3 x 1.25L ) - two 8mm Robinson couplings ( I ) 5 L ( 4 x 1.25L) - three 8mm Robinson couplings ( II ) 5 L ( 4 x 1.25L) - three 8mm Robinson couplings ( III & IIIb ) 5 L ( 4 x 1.25L) - three 8mm Robinson couplings ( IV )
Nozzle Size:	7 mm or 9 mm
Dimensions:	Length: 1260 mm, diameter: 90 mm Length: 1340 mm, diameter: 90 mm ( III ) Length: 1520 mm, diameter: 90 mm ( IV )
Fill Volume:	1000 - 1100 ml ( I ) 1250 ml ( II, III, IV )
Launch Pressure:	130 psi (typical) 135 (max to date) ( I )
Dry Weight:	391 grams ( I ) 522 grams ( II ) 556 grams ( III ) with camera. 496 grams ( IIIb ) with altimeter, no camera 537 grams ( IV ) with altimeter, no camera, shock absorbing nose cone
Recovery:	Parachute using the NOAA technique. ( I & II ) Single parachute V1.3.2 flight computer. ( III, IIIb, IV )
Current Status:	Active
Notes:	Our first rocket to use 3 bottles coupled together. The rocket has 3 conventional fins attached to a ring supported by struts. The fins are behind the nozzle. Later renamed to just J4. J4 II had an extra bottle added and a new nosecone. J4 III has a new set of fins and a new deployment system. Exploded on the launch pad during filling for first flight. J4 IIIb has been completely rebuilt with new aluminium couplings. First of our rockets to fly an altimeter. J4 IV is a rebuild of J4 IIIb after the parachute failed to open and crashed heavily. Being used for foam vs water research.

Polaron

	Polaron
	Polaron
	Polaron II
	Polaron III
	A diagram of Polaron III's twin parachute deployment mechanism.
	Polaron IV
	Polaron IV
	Polaron IV
	Polaron IVb with Gluon boosters
	Polaron IVd with Gluon boosters
	Polaron V with Gluon II boosters
	Polaron V with Gluon II boosters
	Polaron VI with Gluon II boosters (right)
	Polaron VI with Gluon II boosters

Variations:	I, II, III, IV, IVb IVd, V, VI
Entered Service:	11th January 2007 ( I ) 3rd February 2007 ( II ) 18th February 2007 ( III ) 26th January 2008 ( IV ) 21st February 2008 (IVd dummy) 23rd February 2008 ( IVb ) 3rd May 2008 ( V ) 31st May 2008 ( VI )
Capacity:	8 L ( I ) 6 L ( II ) 8 L ( III, IV and IVb) 2 L ( IVd ) 10L ( V ) 12.8L ( VI )
Nozzle Size:	9 mm ( I, II, III, IV and V ) 7 mm ( IVb, IVd, VI )
Dimensions:	Length: 1730 mm, diameter: 110 mm ( I ) Length 1520 mm, diameter 110 mm ( III ) Length: 1420 mm, diameter: 110 mm ( IV & IVb ) Length: 1520 mm, diameter: 110 mm ( IVd ) Length: 1750 mm, diameter: 110 mm ( V ) Length: 1930 mm, diameter: 110 mm ( VI )
Fill Volume:	1900 mL ( I ) 1250 mL ( II ) 1900 mL ( III ) 2000 mL ( IV and IVb ) 1500 mL ( IVd ) 2000 mL ( V ) 2400 mL ( VI )
Launch Pressure:	90 psi ( II ) to date due to leak 130 psi ( III ) max to date 125 psi ( IV ) max to date 110 psi ( IVb ) max to date 100 psi ( IVd ) 120 psi ( V ) 130 psi ( VI )
Dry Weight:	660 grams ( I ) 550 grams ( II ) without camera. 689 grams ( III ) with camera. ( 640 g without camera ) 880 grams ( IV ) with camera, altimeter and flight computer. 928 grams ( IVb ) with camera, altimeter and flight computer. ~ 850 grams ( IVd ) 1072 grams ( V ) with camera, altimeter, parachute and flight computer. 1087 grams ( VI ) with camera, altimeter, parachute and flight computer.
Recovery:	Uses side deploying parachute deployed by V1.2 of the flight computer. ( I and II ) Polaron III uses the same as above but a second parachute is pulled out by the first, out of a second storage compartment. Polaron IV, IVb, V and VI uses a single 1.15m diameter parachute. Deployed by version 1.3.2 of the flight computer. Polaron IVd used NOAA.
Current Status:	Active
Notes:	( I ) Flight computer and fin section taken from Frankovka. This rocket never flew as it had a major malfunction on the launch pad. One of the bottles severely distorted and the coupling leaked. This rocket is equipped with a small digital video camera. Polaron II had one bottle removed, and new fins fitted. Polaron III was completely rebuilt after Polaron II crashed. All new bottles, new couplings, new payload section with a second chute. New plastic fins attached by large rubber bands. Polaron IV is newly rebuilt. Special features include: Top bottle is inverted to allow filling from top. Reinforced bottle bottoms with another bottle. FlyCamOne V2 video camera Z-log altimeter. Polaron IVb is identical to version IV except for new removable fin set to support the boosters and has launch lugs for the guide rail. Polaron IVd was a dummy rocket designed to test the booster system in place of the actual rocket. Polaron V has had an extra 2L bottle added. Designed to fly with Gluon II boosters Polaron VI has a new body constructed from 3 spliced pairs and using two 22mm tornado couplings. Those are Robinson coupled to the lowest 2L bottle from Polaron V in order to generated foam using Jet Foaming.

Acceleron

	Acceleron
	Acceleron
	Acceleron
	Acceleron
	Acceleron II

Acceleron II

Acceleron II

Acceleron III
with Tachyon sustainer.

Acceleron IIIb

Acceleron IIIb
with Tachyon II

Acceleron IIIb
with Tachyon II

Acceleron IIIb
with Tachyon II

Acceleron IIIb