My family hit the road before we had the chance to rack the Ultimate Wildman. Based upon prior flights, I had this one predicted right around 13k’ on the mighty M1939W. Love that motor; lovely boost to something like 13k’.
Deployed the main right over our head and landed just across 1000 in the field for an easy recovery. Listening to the altimeter: 1…2…9…9…4…DOH! So close yet so far. Should’ve trimmed the heads on the nylon shear pins!
Paul Horvath also flew an Ultimate Wildman; only his had an extra grain! The only 5 grain 98mm CTI load, the N2200 Pink sure was purdy!
Usually, I’m the one driving activity within our camp of rocket people…go go go… patience is not my best virtue! When I asked Justin if we should take a brief lunch break, he encouraged me to shut my pie hole and fly another rocket…or something like that!
. I appreciated the desire to keep pounding the skies! So a handful of chips and off to the pad with one last 13k’ attempt. Green Mamba is a classic 4.1” Air-X Delamar covered in Stickershock vinyl; its first flight was at the last Thunderstruck (April 2014)…a waiver tickling 21,682’ on a Sconnie M794 moonburner. Fast forward to the new waiver at the new Pence site, and pair it up with my new favorite baby M motor (Aerotech M2050X), and you have a sweet combo that should put the big snake somewhere around 13k’. Good boost from a great motor.
Before recovering the Mamba, Dennis Watkins put up his new 3" Bullpup on an H128W. The Bull flew like a missile and headed east! Really cool looking rocket!
Recovering the Mamba was straightforward, south of the range shy of the Jordan. The first beeps I heard were 1….3….0…6…5. I’ll take it! The other alt read quite a bit higher, at 13,431. Average is 13,248’…not too far off from the 13,001' goal! While we were out retrieving the Mamba, Eagle Eye Justin spotted Paul's Ultimate dangling in the trees by the Jordan.
We took a quick look to inspect the situation. Left it alone and returned to the range to report altitudes, pack up, and check in with Paul. On the way out, we were able to work with Paul to wrangle the Ultimate out of the trees after some effort but without damage to the wranglers or the rocket. Though we were well versed with the Jordan by the end of the day, we didn't run across John's coyote!
‘Twas a great day on the range; Indiana Rocketry has secured an awesome sight and continues to run a first class launch! Apologies if I miss anybody, but I do want to shout out to many faces that I haven’t seen in too long! Was great to see Richard Cash (instigator), Curt Reynolds, Randy Milliken, Vic Barlow, Paul Horvath, John Cummings, Dennis Watkins, Tim Dixon, (other) Eric, and the rest of the crew. Want to thank the Indiana Rocketry Crew for a wonderful event…the new site is great, as is the waiver, and so was the weather! We will be back. And looking forward to attending ?next year’s? T..n..r…u..6!
Three flights averaging out at 13,466’ when I was chasing just over 13,000’; I'll take it!
Roadside America: on the way home we drove past a V1 Buzz Bomb in Milford, IL. Sweet!
Until next time, keep the pointy end up! ...and take the trip to Indiana Rocketry's new site in Pence, IN!!! Also, the Indiana Rocketry's Facebook page has a plethora of fantastic photos from both Saturday and Sunday. Go check 'em out!