Marvin the Martian from the Kaboom Krewe

[Crawf56]

Sometimes, the internet is just friggin' AWESOME!!!

A group in St. Louis, MO, has taken on the task of building an LDRS rocket. The rocket is based on the character "Marvin the Martian" from the Bugs Bunny cartoons.

It is truly an Oddroc. A BIG oddroc. A 10 ft. tall, 4 ft. diameter, 6 ft. fin diameter, 400+ pound oddroc.

The Kaboom Krewe is launching the rocket at LDRS 38 in Kansas this weekend [8/31/19].

Oh, yeah......

Here is a link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thekaboomkrewe/?tn-str=k*F

 

[Crawf56]

Here are some pics.

 

[Crawf56]

Note that I am not affiliated with the Kaboom Krewe. I just love their project, and have not seen it posted anywhere else.

They are part of the St. Louis Rocketry Association: https://stlouisrocketry.com/

 

[Crawf56]

More pics. There are more pics and video at the Kaboom Krewe facebook page.

 

[mbeels]

Yes, very cool rocket. There was a build thread on here, but I think it stalled out around the foam sanding stage.

 

[Crawf56]

A description from the facebook page:

 

[SteveNeill]

Oh boy!

 

[Crawf56]

What is bad is that I originally misspelled "Marvin" and "Martian" on the title. This is why I don't play with LDRS rockets...….

 

[SteveNeill]

You are forgiven. No big deal.

 

[aerostadt]

So, has this flown?

 

[DAllen]

So, has this flown?

Not yet. I talked to some of the Kaboom Krew earlier today during the rain delay at LDRS and the current plan is to get this beast out to the pads first thing in the morning. Waiver opens at 9am. Its a REALLY interesting project. These folks have certainly put in their homework to get this sucker ready to go. I was very impressed.

 

[Crawf56]

Yes, very cool rocket. There was a build thread on here, but I think it stalled out around the foam sanding stage.

Yes, you are correct. The other thread is at HPR Rocketry: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/ldrs-project-marvin-the-martian.153200/#post-1904575

Please forgive me. I had even posted there a while back, and had forgotten. (Getting old is not for sissy's.)

 

[tim cubbedge]

 

[BDB]

Awesome!!!!

 

[captbk]

Didn't get a chance to see it but it had to be spectacular. Looks like the flight wasn't very straight? But hey if you saw this thing in person you'd think...no way it'll fly. Congrats kaboom krew!

 

[Crawf56]

There was a video on the Kaboom Krewe facebook page, but you can't see the upper half of the flight.

Thanks for the pics, timbucktwo.

 

[BABAR]

Very cool!

 

[Funkworks]

It was a fun ride, but I don't recommended it to lowly Earthlings.

 

[Wayco]

It was nice to meet the Kaboom Krewe and working with them on the recovery. After looking things over, I'm pretty sure you guys had everything well in hand with those huge cargo chutes. Sorry we couldn't be there for the final packing.
Sharon and I were lucky to be on range duty when you flew this beast, and it put on quite a show. Really glad we met up at the banquet, and thanks for giving us a chance to look over this Marvelous Martian rocket!

 

[Scott S]

Would love to see more pictures or videos of this flight. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[DAllen]

Would love to see more pictures or videos of this flight. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Look up the Kaboom Krew on Facebook. There's a bunch of goodies on that page.

 

[Crawf56]

I just realized no one has really described what happened during the flight. I was not there, but there have been a few videos posted showing the entire flight.

After launch, Marvin's rocket arced over to an angle of about 30 degrees from the ground. After the initial "arcing over" (which happened immediately after clearing the guide towers), the rocket did travel a straight line.

The parachute seemed to deploy just before the motor exhausted itself, which worked out very well! I am guessing that the rocket was not more that 500 ft. off the ground? (I am terrible at judging altitude.) Canopies were fully deployed, and Marvin's rocket had a nice, safe landing...…..on a road.

So, while the flight path was rather unexpected, the rocket launched, flew, deployed its parachutes, and landed safely. And was very entertaining.

 

[Crawf56]

From the facebook page, it appears that the crew is planning to make modifications to Marvin's rocket...….AND LAUNCH AGAIN!!!!!

If anyone finds out when and where, please post.

 

[dhbarr]

Not affiliated, just a huge fan.

 

[mrwalsh85]

I just realized no one has really described what happened during the flight. I was not there, but there have been a few videos posted showing the entire flight.

You're right. I have the onboard footage and the altimeter data.

It has been a very busy time since returning from LDRS and I hope that sometime this week things calm down that I can dedicate a few hours to a more detailed analysis, then share it with our team - then we will release our findings.

Yes, MDRA has requested an opportunity to send Marvin home. They procured the propellant, and we think it's only fair to give them a good show, too!

 

[Bat-mite]

Amazing, guys! Absolutely amazing! So wish I could have been there.

 

[DAllen]

View attachment 392889

This photo implies there is drone footage. PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS DRONE FOOTAGE AND WHERE I CAN SEE IT

Pretty please?

 

[jmmome]

You have inspired me to try to build a half-scale version of your rocket. Should be a fun project over the winter!

 

[Crawf56]

Here is YouTube video of Marvin's launch at LDRS 38 in Argonia, Kansas.

 

[SteveNeill]

Wow. Thank you I needed that.