First Launch w/ Pictures

[flight4]

My first post! Actually my first launch was with my dad over 30 years ago. My kids have launched some at camp the last few years and out of that is how we are getting back into it. Over the last couple of months I picked up a few E2X and RTF kits, ie Star Wars rockets, you know, to keep up their interest.

Our first launch day finally came (a nice day w/ little wind and no other activities planned) so we packed up the rockets, two home made pads, and the rest of the goodies.

First up were the Alpha III on an A8 and the Gnome on a 1/2A3. These were the rockets my two boys picked for themselves out of the Estes catalog. They (mostly) built them by themselves. Alpha lit up first.

Click the image to open a larger, closer up version.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68546388/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534617/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

Followed immediately by the Gnome.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68546395/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534630/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

Alpha went up about 400', Gnome 200' or so. Both recovered nicely close to the pads. First flight!! Total success!! The kids were jumping up and down.

Next up were the RTF X-Wing on a C6, and R2D2 on an A10. Picked these guys up on Ebay.

R2D2 was first to light off pad #2.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68569721/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534656/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

Then the x-wing.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68570126/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534659/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

The X-Wing sure roared a bit with that bigger motor. Made us jump. But perfect flights. R2D2 went to about 100', X-Wing about 400' or so. Being heavy plastic models both recovered quickly within feet of the pads.

Next were Darth Vader's Tie fighter on a C6 and a Fliskits Midnight Express on an A8. I actually built the ME one Sunday afternoon early on when I was waiting for the other rockets to come in the mail. Found it while browsing fliskits online. What, download a free rocket? Very cool. Printed it on 90lb photo paper and got to work. Went mostly well. I had no spent 18mm motor casings though (or unspent for that matter). Rolling the tube was a challenge. Luckily a spare body tube was readily available on a second sheet I printed

These are great shots. Vader moving out first with the ME just starting to light.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68570371/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534678/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

Then the ME going up like a bat outta hell.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68570375/large.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534680/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

I think the ME shot was the best of the lot. Here's a close up. Click on it for super large version.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68570375/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68570375/medium.jpg></a>

Vader's recovery was exciting. Went up 160' or so, nosed over at apogee, and then... I was on my back on the grass enjoying the flights when I notice Darth just overhead coming in hot with just the nose cone out. Oh frak. Yelled a warning to the ground crew, and then about 25' up, "pop", and out comes the 18" chute. Recovered very gently about 10' away. Very cool. Instructions recommended C6-5. Maybe C6-3 next time.

The ME went up about 450', a little off vertical toward the side of the range, but came down very nicely on a 2' streamer.

Finally we have two Custom Razors on C6 motors with #2 kicking off first. These are actually refurbished camp models. Totally built (and abused) by my boys. The night before I cut away the ripped up parachutes and such best I could, and put in some kevlar thread and streamers.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68571626/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534691/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a><

Razor #1 actually didn't light, but my son said after that he thinks the key fell out (wasn't fully inserted). Had him try again after I checked the igniter (yes, key was in my pocket while I did this) and up it went.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68571627/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68534708/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

Both of these Razor's were lost unfortunately. My fault. Too much motor. Neither camp model was built quite "straight". The first flew on an arc to about 600' or so. Saw the tracking smoke and then... Well that was it. Recovery system might have hung up on the old shock cord mount. But I have no idea. Second one flew in the same direction more or less. Long 3' streamer deployed nicely and it came down picture perfect but way past the trees.

I also had a Blue Ninja but elected not to fly it as the breeze was picking up and I didn't want it to end its maiden voyage as a tree ornament. And I had just lost two. But in all a decent day.

Here's the recovery team a little while later. Ryan & Sean are still looking up and around waiting for their Razors to come down. Sean, who is 6, on the way home, "I wish we didn't lose my Razor". Bummer.

<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68572886/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68572886/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>

There's a few more pix in my web album below. It's cool if you can slideshow through them quickly. Otherwise maybe a little boring in spots. The camera was on a tripod shooting 1/2000sec and 5fps. These rockets really scoot. Caught more smoke than flight generally, but still pretty cool. Next time I'll try to get some recovery pix also. Now let me see if I can do this link right.

<a href="https://www.pbase.com/flight4/launch20061009" target=_blank><img src="https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68536081/small.jpg" style="border:none;padding:0px;margin-top:16px;"></a>
<a href="https://www.pbase.com/flight4/launch20061009" target=_blank>Click to launch album</a>

Need to work a little on photo technique. Vertical orientation, further back, faster shutter, try to get two or three frames of flight, well, two anyway. By third frame the rocket is probably 100' up or more. Remote control I have covered. Maybe change the blast deflectors so there isn't so much smoke swirling back and obscuring liftoff. Wanna see the flame!

I've enjoyed reading TRF these last few months, hearing about other's experiences, learning what to do and what not to do, how to build some pads, etc. Amazing what you can learn by reading other folks building and flying stories. Hope to start giving some back. I have a few projects on the bench being built, some in the box, and a few ideas in my head that I will be asking some questions about. TRF seems to be a great collection of flyers, gurus, mentors, and even a few trolls for entertainment and to keep things lively. Great stuff.

 

[Jeremy 12D]

Let me be the first to welcome you to TRF, it really is a great community. I have learned so much here as well, everyone is so quick to lead you in the right direction and give you the benefit of all their years of experience. GREAT photos, keep posting!

 

[Ed Wagoner]

Welcome to the forum Flight4!! Great pictures and those are some great rockets. As far as giving back...you just did

 

[Super Sabre]

Awesome ! I especially like the R2-D2.

 

[cmmeyers]

Wow! Welcome to TRF, and can I say "nice pictures!"

You get bonus points for posting pictures on your very first post.

 

[cjl]

VERY nice

The Flis free rockets are definitely a lot of fun - I think I've lost about 6 of them

 

[jflis]

A flight report, with pictures and a link to a photo album AND a FlisKits launch to boot!

Talk about starting out in TRF in high style!

Welcome to TRF and welcome back to rocketry too. You are off to a GREAT start!

I am tickled that you are enjoying the ME so much. Print out some blank ones and have your kids decorate them (paper rockets are great cuz you can decorate them while they're still flat )

The CAUTION rocket is a great free one too.

Keep us posted!
jim

 

[flight4]

Thanks Jim and everyone for the welcoming words.

I did print the Caution rocket too. But then the others came in the mail

More to come. Promise.

Dave

 

[Fred]

Outstanding pictures Thanks very much for sharing.
Cheers
fred

 

[flight4]

Jim (jflis), Your avatar, Wizards?

Looks familiar.

Just curious...

Dave

 

[jflis]

Originally posted by flight4
Jim (jflis), Your avatar, Wizards?

Looks familiar.

Just curious...

Dave

Dave,
Nope, it's a silhouette of a native american atop his horse, head bowed in grief. He is holding his spear with feathers on it (upper left of image)

I can't recall the title, but it is a classic NA image.

 

[Reed Goodwin]

Sweet pics there! Welcome to the forum, where you'll find great info, great people, and a lot of spent time. What kind of camera were you shooting with? 20D, 30D, Nikon? 1/2000th should be good for the low power stuff unless you have a light rocket and a big motor. I would try manual focusing as it seems like it was focused a little behind the rocket, accounting for some of the blur. Also, not that it's a bad thing, but why were you launching two at a time? Were you crunched for time?
Reed

 

[mike_bar]

Great pics of a nice family launch. It looks like great fun!!!

Welcome to the group here. Please keep posting launch pics.

 

[flight4]

Originally posted by jflis
Dave,
Nope, it's a silhouette of a native american atop his horse, head bowed in grief. He is holding his spear with feathers on it (upper left of image)

I can't recall the title, but it is a classic NA image.

Ah, appreciate you sharing. That was my other thought, some sort of classical or historical image.

I think Wizards drew from many classical themes. Plight, oppression, etc. Great animated flik. Tho as I think about it more, I recall the beasts had only two legs. Should have known, but hey--nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I'll stop now hoping I don't get booted to the Coffee Shop.

 

[flight4]

Originally posted by Reed Goodwin
Sweet pics there! Welcome to the forum, where you'll find great info, great people, and a lot of spent time. What kind of camera were you shooting with? 20D, 30D, Nikon? 1/2000th should be good for the low power stuff unless you have a light rocket and a big motor. I would try manual focusing as it seems like it was focused a little behind the rocket, accounting for some of the blur. Also, not that it's a bad thing, but why were you launching two at a time? Were you crunched for time?
Reed

Canon 20D w/ 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Yeah, light rocket w/ big motor and all I got was the "puff" then the "whoosh" a lot of the time. Heavier models gave me a little more "hang" time.

Two pads because I have two boys (6 and 9) who are my launch "operatives" I set them up two at a time, theirs or mine (or mom's), and off we go. I have to say I could have no better recovery team.

I did manual focus and though I see the pad mostly in focus, the rocket seems not. Maybe that's motion, or maybe it's me. I know the camera's not moving. So I don't know. These are issues I plan to work on.

Thanks for your comment.

 

[Reed Goodwin]

Cool. It looks like the back of the pad is in focus but not the rocket, but you've probably already figured that out. When I said launching them two at a time, I meant pressing the button on both at the same time.
Thanks,
Reed

 

[s1lence]

I'm new around here, but I will say that though are excellent pictures of launches. Looks like it was a great time!!!

 

[flight4]

New and silent no more. Welcome. Yes it was fun. My wife says probably more for me than anyone else. But for sure a good time was had by all. Looking forward to the next one. Should have a few new birds in the lineup.

 

[GlennW]

Welcome, flight! Where are you in NJ? We have the GSSS launch in Bridgewater coming up this Sunday and would love to see you and your family there. If you're interested details are on the Launch calender (button at top of this page).

Glenn

 

[WShoreRockets]

Suggestion for the Blue Ninja, expecially on windy days.

Use the C11-3 motor.

This rocket was designed for that motor, and it works great with it. That's all I fly mine with.

Bob

 

[flight4]

Originally posted by GlennW
Welcome, flight! Where are you in NJ? We have the GSSS launch in Bridgewater coming up this Sunday and would love to see you and your family there. If you're interested details are on the Launch calender (button at top of this page).

Actually I am aware of GSSS, having seen some of your posts about it. I'm in Maplewood, about 35min away. I'd love to come out and watch, and someday launch there. Never been to an organized launch before. We'll see about this weekend. I know I'm on Long Island on Saturday.

Thanks! --Dave

 

[Micromeister]

What a great looking bunch of rockets, wonderful pics as well, Welcome aboard... We'll be looing forward to the whole families mod-Rocing adventures. Keep the wife involved...we need more of them out there on the field I'm one of the extremely lucky guys with a better 2/3rd that not only encourages but also helps with my hobby
Keep em flying all together...both family and rockets