Life is a story. Back in 2014 when I got my level 2, I decided to build my first fiberglass rocket. I picked the then (then) Rocketry Warehouse X-Celerator. Mark at StickerShock23 made me an awesome wrap, and I named it "Skyburner."
Here she was with the stock plastic NC:
And I later upgraded to a black FWFG NC.
I had go fever something awful back then, and on a day that was too breezy, I desperately wanted to launch my first L motor. Everything was prepped, motor built, and I didn't listen to my subconscious mind and postpone the launch. I expected about 9000 feet (which would have been a new record for me), and it was our last day at Higgs Farm until seven months later. I just couldn't not launch.
And it had GPS in it. What could go wrong?
Well, it disappeared, and the GPS coordinates I got back led me to an irrigation ditch that goes out (eventually) to the Chesapeake Bay. No rocket. Altimeter, motor hardware, retainer, chutes, GPS transmitter ... everything gone.
I loved that rocket, and have often thought about a rebuild. Well, I just bought one from Composite Warehouse. It has a 4" longer FWFG NC, but everything else is the same. When Mark is back on his feet, I hope to get him to redo the wrap.
I have ordered accessories from MAC Performance, OneBadHawk, and Missileworks. I have the rocket washed and in my basement. Unfortunately, my wife just broke her foot, and I am now having to do my jobs, her jobs, and take care of her. So no building time right now. But when I do, maybe I'll post a few build pics.
Here she was with the stock plastic NC:
And I later upgraded to a black FWFG NC.
I had go fever something awful back then, and on a day that was too breezy, I desperately wanted to launch my first L motor. Everything was prepped, motor built, and I didn't listen to my subconscious mind and postpone the launch. I expected about 9000 feet (which would have been a new record for me), and it was our last day at Higgs Farm until seven months later. I just couldn't not launch.
And it had GPS in it. What could go wrong?
Well, it disappeared, and the GPS coordinates I got back led me to an irrigation ditch that goes out (eventually) to the Chesapeake Bay. No rocket. Altimeter, motor hardware, retainer, chutes, GPS transmitter ... everything gone.
I loved that rocket, and have often thought about a rebuild. Well, I just bought one from Composite Warehouse. It has a 4" longer FWFG NC, but everything else is the same. When Mark is back on his feet, I hope to get him to redo the wrap.
I have ordered accessories from MAC Performance, OneBadHawk, and Missileworks. I have the rocket washed and in my basement. Unfortunately, my wife just broke her foot, and I am now having to do my jobs, her jobs, and take care of her. So no building time right now. But when I do, maybe I'll post a few build pics.
But thanks!
