Rocket launches, like baseball games, depend a lot on the weather. The last scheduled launch had to be reset to the following Saturday due to high winds and to make sure one of our star members, who had a scheduling conflict, could attend. At the Aircraft Museum we conducted our usual make and take session on March 15, 2003 and the people in attendance agreed to come back the following Saturday for the actual launch. It was interesting speaking with one of the gentlemen who was there with his son and grandchildren about his collection of old rockets he had built in his younger days. He was impressed with the ease of assembly of the newer rockets and remembered when the only way to make a fin assembly was to cut them from balsa wood, sand, seal and paint.

 

The weather for the rescheduled launch was much improved, with a sunny 50's to 60's temperature range and winds gusting to about 5 miles per hour. All of the people from the previous make it take it session appeared. Two rockets were assembled on one persons car hood, and with some help from the section members, mainly Bill Moore, these 11th hour rocketeers were able to make their flights successfully

A lot of never before seen rockets were launched, and power was provided by a wide range of motors. Several section members were able to complete some of their NARTREK requirements. NARTREK is a program more detailed on the website of the National Association of Rocketry, which provides for achieving various rocket launching and building goals to reach levels of experience and accomplishment.

 

Leading off' the launch was Carl M., with the Estes Cosmic Cobra, which attracted a lot of attention with its helicopter recovery nose cone, flying well on a B 6 2. That first lady of model rocketry, Big Bertha made another great. flight as launched by one of her main fans, Jason Unwin, on a C b 3. Next Max Exline made the first of his futile attempts to make a 60 second parachute duration with a Quest Astra III, an easily spotted rocket with its

red and yellow paint scheme, but equipped with an unusually stiff parachute which resisted opening, resulting in a hard landing. The rack was finished with Estes Rampage launches from two new comers to rocketry, Tyler and Luke K., both successfully launching their first flights ever on B 6 4 motors.

 

Next rack started with E. Moore launching the Estes Skywriter on a B 6 4, and pleasing the crowd with a great flight. Jason then launched his Quest Nike K, which he had painted with a more scale appearing paint scheme, and smoothly flew to a good altitude on a C 6  3. Max Exline then made a successful streamer duration attempt with a Quest Antari, carried by a B 6 4, with a 37. 01 second flight. This rocket disappeared into one of the many rocket eating craters in the area, but was found a couple of racks later. Tyler had a misfire this rack, but his brother Luke had another good flight with his Rampage.

 

Rack 3 included a parachute duration attempt by Bill with an Estes Sizzler, the rocket Estes lists as the highest flyer in the catalog. Initially it looked like a good duration flight, but eventually it turned out to be a separation. When a high flyer separates the cone and chute are seldom recovered, but Bill never gave up until he completed

the retrieval. Lucky it only had a B motor in it. Tyler and Luke again made successful flights of their Rampages. Jason made a great C-powered flight of his Estes E2X. Joseph P. made his first ever flight of his Rampage, opening the door to a future of fun in model rocketry. Max tried to launch his Delta Kat boost glider on a 1 /4 A, but it was too underpowered to reach more than 10 feet up.

 

Kathleen M. led off' the Rack 4 with the new Estes Wacky Wiggler, having a recovery system consisting of the body tube split into many segments, but connected by a cord. This is a new form of drag type recovery which worked reliably, even on an A motor. Is there a national Wiggler duration competition event in our future?  Carl M. launched an interesting rocket built by Bill based on an old plan, which Bill named the Lemon Drop for its bright yellow color and probably its rounded nose cone. It resembled an Estes Fat Boy with wings, making a stable flight on a A10 3T. Jason had another high altitude C powered flight with his E2X. Max tried again with his Delta Kat, using an A 10 3T, but this time the pod ripped off the glider's nose. Remaining flights were mostly individuals.

Bill saved the best for last, launching his Super Big Bertha, mother of all Bertha's, on a D 1 2 3 as Jason looked upon it with envy.  This spectacular flight was enjoyed by all. Max successfully launched a Quest Penetrator on a C6-3, with both chutes and parts coming down safely. Bill then launched his beautifully finished Aerotech Initiator on an earsplitting F40 motor to the delight. Of  all present, with a safe recovery. Bill demonstrated a technique in finishing this rocket whereby he changed the color of the decals to match his improved color scheme. Joseph had another good launch of has Rampage. Bill then launched a new Estes Hi Flyer, which he finished using Future floor wax, making it so glossy I mistakenly thought it was painted with a candy apple red. It had a flight of over 37 seconds, meeting his Nartrek Bronze requirement. Then a series of misfortunes began, starting with Max and another failed chute duration attempt with the leathery chute Astra III, which still refused to open properly.

 

Bill launched his helicopter recovery Estes Skywinder, but the nose cone popped off`. Finally, Bill's Initiator in the last flight of the day landed in a high voltage power line. Most of it was recovered days later.