MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LAUNCHES and OOP ESTES ROCKETS!

It was a good weekend for launching rockets....and some memorable OOP rockets....plus the grass has been cut at my field and I want to take the most advantages I can. The Estes MERCURY REDSTONE is such a nice model, that even though I built it some time ago, it has never flown!

I tried to load an 18mm motor into the mount....but the fit was SO TIGHT....it would not go! The weight of this model really needs my favorite motor C5-3....but I have no more! I ended up peeling a layer of paper from a C6-3!

Nice moon!

Liftoff on a C6-3!....anyone have a shot of the real redstone lifting off?....seems like it was MUCH like this one!

The flight was very slow-mo....the C5-3 would have been perfect! I might save this one for the Quest D20! I don't have a recovery shot because my camera does not recycle fast enough for the LOW flight! Everything came out fine though!

Now that's a great photo! Composition is everything.

Nice Rocket too. he Mercury Redstone is way at the top of my favorites.

Originally posted by billEblurzz
Nice moon!

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This is a very nice model....plastic fins and all....Estes sometimes gets a bad rap....but this is how to do it right!!! I look forward to the new models....scale and plastic parts!!

I like cruise missles....even if imaginary ones!

The wind has started dying down....let's go for some height!!! Liftoff on a C6-3!!!

WOW....super straight HIGH flight!!! There is a chute....hmm!...kinda LARGE chute too!

....going!

going.....going!!!!

Originally posted by billEblurzz
Liftoff on a C6-3!....anyone have a shot of the real redstone lifting off?....seems like it was MUCH like this one!

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Here's one.

....right to the edge of the field!!!

I LOVE using the WHOLE FIELD!!!....it dose not get any better than this!!!! ....Yea, that's the shot Tony....I should have smeared talcum powder on the lower half of the redstone to simulate the frosting!

Okay, this is another with plastic parts....done right!!!

Estes, please bring THIS one back!!!....was one of my first rocket builds....did not discover rockets until the time this one came out! It shows dated building abilities for me at that time....I will always remember when I was finishing the booster, OJ was on the TV being chased in that WHITE BRONCO!!!

Liftoff....on a D12-3...also had to peel a layer of paper to get it to go in!!

Flight was surprisingly high....originally came down...booster and nose cone on separate chutes....now combined with one chute...small compartment for larger needed chute though!!

Good flight....always nervous for favorite OOP rockets!!!

Can be separated and flown SANDHAWK only....awesome flights on D12-5s....always lucky to get it back!!! I once flew the TERRIER-SANDHAWK stack on an AEROTECH E15-4.....WOW!!!

I have always liked this one....uses some parts from terrier-sandhawk....also estes seahawk SM-5!

Since I am launching and taking pictures by myself....I use an Estes launcher with my feet and hold and try to photo the rockets. I was having trouble getting the PYTHON to light....it was steadily getting darker...by the way...the now working flash makes the pics seem MUCH DARKER!!

Liftoff on a D12-5!!!

Cool high flight!!!....had to get out the INFRA-RED FILTER!!!!

Okay, turning off the flash....this is how dark it REALLY is....close to the pad recovery....not much wind at all later!!! Hmm...these rockets do have mostly plastic parts....but I do like them!!!

Greatshots as usual Billy;
Love seeing your stuff. Wonderful models, I've got a Terrier-sandhawk waiting.

But Please! If your gonna be flying at dusk and after sunset.
(Sunset: When the Suns Disc falls below the Visable Horison.) GET some Lights on those models, your gonna screw-up night flying for everyone.
FAA would like 2000mcds visable @ 2000ft min. for models between 1lb to 3.3lbs. But all models should have some Lighting visable the entire flight, ignition to touchdown. Its an Airmens Safety issue not something against rockets
A couple very lightweight LEDs with a coincell fits the bill with very little trouble or extra expense. For small models and under B motor class a cylume glow-stic or two works
Hope this helps, Thanks for caring.

Hi Bill,
Those are amazing shots and great models. Thanks for taking the time to show us them I dont suppose you have any saturns hidden anywhere ?
Cheers
fred

I agree that those were some amazing shots. Your Estes Python looked really good and the shot of the Mercury Redstone with the moon in the sky was a really neat shot as well.

Originally posted by tonypv
Here's one.

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Oh come on Tony, don't try to pull that one over on us. That's really a shot of Sheri's new Mercury Redstone kit, isn't it?