RocketJ2
Used To Be Missile Engine Tech
Hello all!
Been lurking the forum for a couple weeks, figured I'd join up and ask all the dumb newbie questions! LOL
My name is Jason, I'll admit I'm definately NOT a Rocket Scientist! I did, however, used to overhaul the engines (F107-400 and -402) for Tomahawk cruise missiles. They aren't rockets, though.
I also have worked on PT6A's and FJ44's on the commercial side. Currently, I am a Prototype Transmission Technician for Ford in Livonia. I also am working on my BS in Aviation/Technology Management at Eastern Michigan University, am a father of two GREAT boys (11 and 8) and have a lovey wife. All this along with coaching soccer for my kids school, Boy Scouts, trying to play the guitar... well, generally living life.
That said, I used "MY" Christmas money last year and bought a "Tandem X" pack from Hobby Lobby this January. I off and on fiddled with the Crossfire, to the point it was primed and flyable. Right about then, my oldest joined a Boy Scout Troop and lo and behold, they were working on Rocketry merit badge! It was meant to be! LOL. My first attempt at flying a rocket was at about the same age as my son is now (10 or 11) and it didn't end well. It did not clear the rod, actually. So, I put rockets on the back burner for about 20 years or so...
The boys built Wizard kits for the badge, and were able to fly them the next week. My son's went up on it's maiden voyage, and was returned, but was rendered unusable due to a motor mount ring breaking away inside and burning the inside of the tube pretty good. So, I just 'happened' to have my Crossfire there, and he launched it. I must say, I was quite surprised, as it was a picture perfect launch (used the smallest motor that it would fly on, a B6-4, I think), the chute deployed, and the rocket landed right AT HIS FEET at the launch pad. Can't ask for better than that!
It still is in primer (I haven't touched it since it's maiden), but I'm sanding it down tonight and needed a break, so I thought I'd do an intro.
Eventually, I'd like to do a couple of scratchbuilds (a Douglas D 558-3 and the Terra V from Space Patrol) but that's out in the future. I am fortunate to know a gentleman who runs a local Rocketry store, so I can always pick his brain if I need to.
Thanks for the forum, and look forward to asking a lot of questions!
Take care,
JK
Been lurking the forum for a couple weeks, figured I'd join up and ask all the dumb newbie questions! LOL
My name is Jason, I'll admit I'm definately NOT a Rocket Scientist! I did, however, used to overhaul the engines (F107-400 and -402) for Tomahawk cruise missiles. They aren't rockets, though.
I also have worked on PT6A's and FJ44's on the commercial side. Currently, I am a Prototype Transmission Technician for Ford in Livonia. I also am working on my BS in Aviation/Technology Management at Eastern Michigan University, am a father of two GREAT boys (11 and 8) and have a lovey wife. All this along with coaching soccer for my kids school, Boy Scouts, trying to play the guitar... well, generally living life.That said, I used "MY" Christmas money last year and bought a "Tandem X" pack from Hobby Lobby this January. I off and on fiddled with the Crossfire, to the point it was primed and flyable. Right about then, my oldest joined a Boy Scout Troop and lo and behold, they were working on Rocketry merit badge! It was meant to be! LOL. My first attempt at flying a rocket was at about the same age as my son is now (10 or 11) and it didn't end well. It did not clear the rod, actually. So, I put rockets on the back burner for about 20 years or so...
The boys built Wizard kits for the badge, and were able to fly them the next week. My son's went up on it's maiden voyage, and was returned, but was rendered unusable due to a motor mount ring breaking away inside and burning the inside of the tube pretty good. So, I just 'happened' to have my Crossfire there, and he launched it. I must say, I was quite surprised, as it was a picture perfect launch (used the smallest motor that it would fly on, a B6-4, I think), the chute deployed, and the rocket landed right AT HIS FEET at the launch pad. Can't ask for better than that!
It still is in primer (I haven't touched it since it's maiden), but I'm sanding it down tonight and needed a break, so I thought I'd do an intro.
Eventually, I'd like to do a couple of scratchbuilds (a Douglas D 558-3 and the Terra V from Space Patrol) but that's out in the future. I am fortunate to know a gentleman who runs a local Rocketry store, so I can always pick his brain if I need to.
Thanks for the forum, and look forward to asking a lot of questions!
Take care,
JK
