What rockets have you never flown?

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Sooner Boomer

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What rockets, kits, scratch-built, have you never flown and why? Too fragile? Too much work to risk having it core sample? I've got a few I've only flown once, for several reasons, but only two I've never flown, yet. I've got an Estes IQSY Tomahawk, and a "ducted-thrust" design - both of which I've just never gotten around to flying. The Tomahawk was built when the kit first came out. The glue wasn't quite right, and the fins popped off when a cat knocked it over, before it ever flew (maybe a good thing!). I found some toluene, and "glued" them back on (they won't come off now!). The other rocket is scratch-built and designed to be tube launched. Since the field we launch at is so far away, and I have to beg a ride each time, these two just never made the trip. Maybe this year...
 
I have so many unflown because they aren’t built yet. :wink:
I have a few still unflown because I have built them between launches. If all goes as hoped they will be launched next Sunday.
I have a few unbuilt that I haven’t decided if they will be launched or remain static displays. The Mercury Redstone kit is on this list. Too many fragile parts and as I plan to build it too much detail and time building it to risk a Cato or hard landing.
 
My Neubauer Mercury Redstone 17.5/1 (4"). Got it all built and have never gotten up the nerve to fly it. Now it has hangar rash... While it sat on my table in the basement one day, I bumped it and it fell to the floor, damaging the top roll pattern. I'd like to update it with an Aeropack and rail buttons, but it looks so nice just sitting on the shelf. :eyeroll: I even made the tower easily removable so it wouldn't get damaged during recovery, but still...
 
Thus far I have done a good job of building everything I buy, and flying everything I build. I haven't flown Starship Avalon yet simply because I haven't had the chance (I had it ready to go one day but the winds were very uncooperative and I didn't want to take any chances). Although I *really* will be unhappy if anything untoward happens to it, it's going in the air. My NASA Trajector hasn't flown yet because I only completed it this winter, and also because it doesn't have a parachute yet. :)

I do admit there are some models that, if I built, I would be reluctant to fly. But more likely I wouldn't build them in the first place in that case.

My childhood fleet was a different story. I built many models but hardly ever got any chance to fly anything. If I recall correctly, my Interceptor, Trident, Honest John, Beta, Saros, and EAC Viper never flew.
 
I build to launch. No interest in building anything that will never get to the pad.
 
My AMW FiberMAX. Been finished for a while now but waiting for warmer weather for painting. You know I can't fly a rocket without paint.
 
When I got back into rocketry I bought kits like crazy. Didn't have a good launch site so I never flew, just built. When I met up with the TRA guys my rockets got bigger and more complex. As a result many of my smaller modrocs never flew. Those include a Xarconian Cruiser, Alpha and Goblin clones, Long Tom two stage, D-Region Tomahawk, Quark and a few more, including scratch built. I can fly them low at my place, just haven't done so. Then there is the Hurricane 38 and Madcow Tembo. Nearly finished but not quite there. Tembo is modded to fly on single grain 54s. Trying to decide on the finish: paint or wrap.
 
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Chester's Cheeto Chaser MKIV has yet to fly. I have had plans to fly it three times, but other rockets, rain, and a lost motor casing (found after we packed up to head home) have all thwarted my plans. Chester will fly at NXRS barring further SNAFU.


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Only my Estes Mercury Redstone and Estes K-36 Saturn V. I'm planning to launch the MR this year, but I will never launch THAT Saturn V! I plan to build a second (newer model) for launches...
The K36 I half built as a kid, then it gathered dust for decades until I started again and finished it last year! :)
 
View attachment 337399

Chester's Cheeto Chaser MKIV has yet to fly. I have had plans to fly it three times, but other rockets, rain, and a lost motor casing (found after we packed up to head home) have all thwarted my plans. Chester will fly at NXRS barring further SNAFU.


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Chester’s Cheeto Chaser is cool [emoji41]


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My PML 54mm Lunar Express. It looks beautiful. However, when I shredded the Lil Lunar Express in a rather spectacular way, I was reluctant to fly the big guy.
I keep meaning to strengthen the fins but realistically, this is a static model now.
 
My PML 54mm Lunar Express. It looks beautiful. However, when I shredded the Lil Lunar Express in a rather spectacular way, I was reluctant to fly the big guy.
I keep meaning to strengthen the fins but realistically, this is a static model now.

I got a PML Lil Lunar Express. First time I flew it, the pods broke two fins on landing. The fins were WAY too thin for pods and being landed upon... If I ever get around to rebuilding it, the pods will be sacrificial... And yes, I had a bigger than called for chute in it and still broke the fins.
 
I built a Comanche III a longtime and it still hasn't been painted or flown. I need to paint it and at least fly the 3rd stage. Never had access to a field big enough to feel comfortable to put her up staged. Although the streams from the kit have flown a bunch.
 
My modified Go Devil 29 has been done for almost a year and I haven't flown it yet. On days when we had good weather & a waiver high enough to fly it, I've been flying my smaller record-attempt bird instead.

I have an F59 for its maiden flight. I'm thinking flight 2 will be an AT H135W - to somewhere over Mach 1 and 6000'. Hopefully soon!

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My Kestrel ... I keep thinking the ducted ejection openings might be too restrictive. I ought to just fly it and find out!

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My scratch Mercury Atlas, based on the old Estes kit. One of my first builds when I returned to the hobby 3 years ago, after a 48 year hiatus. Also one of my most difficult. Non standard main body tubes and parts. Fortunately, I had built the Dr. Zooch Mercury Atlas, so I got ideas for replicating and spoofing the details on the bigger rocket. 3D printed display capsule and LES tower. Flying capsule and tower made from a balsa capsule from erockets, and bt-4 tube (I think) and nose cone. Decals from Sandman. Corrugated wrap from Apogee.The walls of the main tubes are thick, so it is very heavy. IF I ever fly it, it will probably be on a composite E or F motor, or maybe a Cesaroni G.





mercuryatlas.jpg
 
Wow, that is gorgeous. Is that a scratch build? Looks like a cross between a Trident II and an Interceptor.
Thanks, it is a scratch-built. The Trident was a favorite of mine as a kid. When I found the Interceptor nose cone, I had to merge it with something like a Trident.
 
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