Space Oddity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
- Messages
- 217
- Reaction score
- 1
Well I finally decided to stop complaining about apathy and UK rocketry and visit the East Anglian Rocket Society event in Cambridgeshire at the weekend. My wife, grandson and I made the one half hour drive to Elsworth.
I can't say we had to fight through crowds on arrival but the enthusiasm of all was very apparent. We were there for one day, on Sunday.
The "Rockets and Things" tent was there selling a lot of kits and bits.
I expected we'd stay an hour then leave. Instead we were there for four hours. It was a great event.
It began with a competition for children flying their A motor kit rockets. The winner being the one whose rocket landed closest to the launch pad. Then came a series of BP motor flights, some more impressive than others. Then the medium and high power rockets.
To be honest I'd expected to see a bunch of elitist modellers looking down at anyone flying less than an H motor. Instead I found a bunch of enthusiasts eager to give advice at any level. My various confusions about mid and high motors were dispelled, I now understand what's available and what's needed, completely.
I commented to the chap from Rockets and Things that he had more in his tent than he had for sale on his web site. He agreed and said, "just e mail me with what you want and I'll tell you if I have it in stock".
The whole atmosphere of the day was easy and good.
As for the high power rockets. The final launch roared into the sky to applause from the crowd. I have to say it was impressive. That's what I want to do!
A great day. I'll stop wingding about UK rocketry from now on and become part of it instead. My target is now to design, build and fly a high power rocket. I'm also quite intrigued with altitude records. I wonder if I can break one? Maybe try with a D motor to begin with. Though I suppose it depends on what it involves and how much it costs. In any event I'm now a convert.
SO.
I can't say we had to fight through crowds on arrival but the enthusiasm of all was very apparent. We were there for one day, on Sunday.
The "Rockets and Things" tent was there selling a lot of kits and bits.
I expected we'd stay an hour then leave. Instead we were there for four hours. It was a great event.
It began with a competition for children flying their A motor kit rockets. The winner being the one whose rocket landed closest to the launch pad. Then came a series of BP motor flights, some more impressive than others. Then the medium and high power rockets.
To be honest I'd expected to see a bunch of elitist modellers looking down at anyone flying less than an H motor. Instead I found a bunch of enthusiasts eager to give advice at any level. My various confusions about mid and high motors were dispelled, I now understand what's available and what's needed, completely.
I commented to the chap from Rockets and Things that he had more in his tent than he had for sale on his web site. He agreed and said, "just e mail me with what you want and I'll tell you if I have it in stock".
The whole atmosphere of the day was easy and good.
As for the high power rockets. The final launch roared into the sky to applause from the crowd. I have to say it was impressive. That's what I want to do!
A great day. I'll stop wingding about UK rocketry from now on and become part of it instead. My target is now to design, build and fly a high power rocket. I'm also quite intrigued with altitude records. I wonder if I can break one? Maybe try with a D motor to begin with. Though I suppose it depends on what it involves and how much it costs. In any event I'm now a convert.
SO.
