Personal Launch - Durham, NC, 11/25/05---11 flights

[TheRadiator]

I was fortunate to once again have the help of a couple of young fellas to help me launch 11 rockets in an hour and a half today. The wind was swirling well above ground level, so it was mostly SL1/SL2 type rockets flying today.

First up, I flew an old Estes Cougar I bought off of eBay 3 years ago. It was it's first flight, so an A8-3 was sufficient. I used a chute instead of the streamer that came with the kit. Landed safe and sound, and amazed a 12 year old in the process.

Now that I have the timing down for these launch pictures, maybe I ought to get closer up to get more detail on the flying rocket.

 

[TheRadiator]

Then the young fellas wanted to see a bigger rocket fly, and chose the Semroc Goliath to go next. Slapped in a B6-4 which produced a nice flight. It popped a bit after Apogee, but it landed on the flight line, so no chasing was needed. Now if I could only do that with EVERY flight, I'd love it!

 

[TheRadiator]

A view of the Goliath's landing spot. Not too shabby!!

Sorry for the small photo...

 

[TheRadiator]

Another vintage Estes eBay purchase from 3 years ago, the Estes Meanie! Unfortunately my timing was off, as this rocket is small and fast with an A10-3T. I did catch it's smoke trail though. Less is more, so they say.

 

[TheRadiator]

One of the fellas with me, Michael, built a rocket out of some parts I bought from Semroc. I called it the Flying Lug, cuz there isn't much to it. I built one too, to show them how to put one together. Mikey stuffed a B6-4 in this one, which was a good choice, but he didn't glue the engine block too well. The motor went about 4 inched up into the rocket. It did manage to come home safely though.

 

[TheRadiator]

The other boy, Steven, brought a Semroc Swift along for the ride. He also had a Flying Lug, but a fin brok eon the way over, so he just took this one for a ride. He's a guy after some of the other TRFers hearts around here. He used a C6-7 to see how high it can fly.

Now the end result can be summed up in one easy rocketry equation: 18mm Minimum diameter rocket + C6-7 = No rocket for you.

 

[TheRadiator]

I'm one of those guys who likes to keep his rockets, even the small ones. Here's an MPC Tomahawk (34 years old, 1st flight) on an A8-3. The motor hook is useless, as it kicked the engine casing without much ado. The parachute never opened, so I may use a steamer the next time I take this one out to the pad. A fine flight though.

 

[TheRadiator]

I brought a Flying Lug of my own, sans pinstripes (for the Lug's threads) and flew it on an A8-3. It turned in a nice flight, and worked well, but then again a 3FNC is hard to screw up!

 

[TheRadiator]

Also brought out my old Custom Serval. How I love tube fins! Lots of drag, and lots of stability! I did bump the streamer in favor of a parachute. It always came down hard on a streamer.

 

[TheRadiator]

Next to last was my old Pip Squeak. This was its first flight back after getting repainted after it sustained some fin damage. It was yellow & blue, but I changed it to the yellow/orange cover art livery. However the streamer got stuck on ejection, but the streamer did prevent the rocket from taking a core sample. However, a fin did get damaged. :kill:

 

[TheRadiator]

Last rocket of the day was a Thrustline Pumpkin Head. If you haven't seen the rocket before, it's kind of a cross between a Red Max and a Goblin. But with the winds still swirling up high, I used an 18/24 adapter for a B6-4. A fine flight nonetheless! A bit low, but that's ok on a day like today! Another fine kit Silverado!

 

[TheRadiator]

Finally, a recovery photo of the Pumpkin Head.

11 went up, 10 came back (including all 9 of my own), only one sustained damage. All things considered, a successful day of flying, especially with the nasty wind!

 

[kelltym88]

Fantastic. Thanx for sharing. Isn't it great to get out and have nice relaxing day of flying.

 

[TheRadiator]

And it's even better when you have a nice relaxing day of flying and not lose anything!

 

[Hogan3276]

Enjoyed reading and viewing the pics from your launch. Great liftoff photos!!!

Sounds like you had the perfect day. I wish I could find a field close to me that I could take my kids out and fly.

Looking forward to your next report.

 

[TheRadiator]

Glad you enjoyed the photos! Just take a drive around a few area schools with a soccer or baseball field, you can usually find something, just be sure to steer clear of the airport!

 

[buzz]

Cool launch pix ! I like the pumpkin head floating down
against a beautiful Carolina Blue sky. *ahem*

 

[TheRadiator]

Vacation starts on Friday....time to do some more flying!! Though I'll wait for this winter weather blow far away from here before I fly!

I have also made note of your sky comments and have passed them along to JJ for further review.