Trident T172-18 - Rocketarium

The Trident T172 is a model that flies with three 18 mm engines, type A, B, C or even D9. It is part of the Trident family by Rocketarium, which also includes its bigger "brothers" that are also trimotors, for 24 mm and 29 mm, and which takes up the design of a famous rocket from the 70s, the Enerjet 2250.

Even though it uses 18 mm motors, its dimensions are very respectable: a full 81 cm!
Its payload bay will benefit from the combined power to carry aloft any payload you choose.

The construction is simple, and the materials included in the box are, as always, of the highest quality: BT-20 and BT-1.7 tubes, laser-cut fins and centering disks, a robust plastic nose cone and a plastic parachute with permanently fixed cords.

Multi-motor, or "cluster"
A "cluster" is a group of two or more motors, which are all ignited at the same time. The total thrust is the sum of the thrusts of each motor. Therefore, a group of small engines can lift a heavy rocket without the need to buy a larger engine.
Let's do some math: 3 A8-3 engines are equivalent to a C24 engine, 3 x C6-5 are equal to an E18, 3 Klima D9-7 engines are equivalent to an F27. Not bad at all!
Selecting different engine types allows you to fly in small fields, or send the model out of sight in a larger space.

Features:

Triple 18mm engine model

• Plastic nose cone
• Fuselage based on BT-1.7 tubes (44mm)
• Laser-cut basswood fins
• Laser-cut basswood centering rings
• Decals
• Plastic parachute included

Some information on launching multi-engine models

To launch This rocket requires a launch pad and an electric launch controller, just like any other rocket model. But firing multiple motors at the same time is more difficult than firing a single motor. First, you need a launch controller with a battery that can supply a higher current than the usual 6 volt or 9 volt battery.
Then a 12 volt launch controller, such as the Aerotech Interlock Controller or the Estes PS II, is highly recommended, as you will be wiring three igniters in parallel. A parallel connection of three igniters requires three times the current of a single igniter. If the battery cannot supply enough current, only one motor may fire, and the rocket will follow an arcing trajectory that will almost certainly lead to a crash.

If you do not have a powerful battery or a suitable launch controller, you can use Tapematch and Stage Ignters, with just a low current starter, such as the Type A (red). Using this setup the ignition is perfect every time, even with the standard Estes launch controls. Read how to use the Tapematch and Stage Igniters on the respective product pages.

The launch pad

With a cluster of three 18 mm motors it is no longer possible to use a standard launch pad. The reason is simple: a cluster of three "C" motors is equal to an "E" motor, a cluster of three "D9" motors is equal to an "F" motor. With these motors a 6 mm launch rod is mandatory, so there is no reason not to use it with an equivalent cluster.

Therefore, suitable launch pads for this rocket model are the Klima Launch Pad, the Estes PS II or the Aerotech Mantis.