milehigh
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2016
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down the slippery slope of getting back into model rocketry.
Today, after a +30-year hiatus, I finally went down to the nearest Hobby Lobby, clutching a freshly printed 40% discount coupon in my bony old fingers, to purchased an Estes Lynx model rocket kit.
Drat! Hobby Lobby didnt have one. So I ended up going to HobbyTown and ended up paying full retail.
Egads! $14.99 for a mini-engine rocket? I HAVE been away for awhile!
Why the Lynx?
Several reasons right now, funding for model rocketry is fairly small, since most of my hobby budget will still be going to woodworking and music instruments. The Lynx is small and relatively low priced, as well as appearing to be a more challenging build than most of Estes other mini-engine offerings.
Plus, it looks pretty cool.
Upon completion, this model will be graced with a # 104 decal. Back in the day, I would mark my rocket fleet with sequence numbers as they were built. #103 was built and flown in 1983, so the Lynx represents a 33 year gap between consecutive model builds!
A significant difference in this new BAR adventure is that I plan to do the most professional quality builds and finishing on any new projects. When I look back at photos of some of my old rockets, many of them could be considered as junk rockets. A good number of them were contest models built just before a meet, so were given minimal paint jobs. Another good proportion were experimental in nature - boilerplate prototypes to test out different ideas and techniques. Others were frankensteined (is that a word?) from usable pieces and parts of prang victims. Most of these were not entirely display-worthy either.
Since I have no intention at the moment to join any clubs or engage in competition, I want my new models to be the best built and displayable ones possible, while still having logged some flights.
This round its quality over quantity!
Happy flying .