R.O.C.K. Launch, June 2, 2012

After a few days of big rain, the burn ban was lifted in the Orlando area.
The R.O.C.K. group hasn't flown for a few months because of it and many came ready to fly.
With Brian handling launch duties it was a smooth running operation.

Greg Welch brought one of his EBAY purchases.

That's an original COASTER SUPER JET engine, pre-cursor to the old Centuri Mini-Max engines. The printed casing said: Static fire of 35 lbs. thrust!





We had a few classic clones today.
Tom Dennon flew his ORBITAL TRANSPORT with the "first flight" recommended B6-4 engine.
The orbiter seemed to hang suspended gliding into the wind.
Beautiful build, beautiful flight.
On the left of Tom's O.T. is my Quest TOMAHAWK flown with a C6-5. It showed a little wiggle on the way up.

Tom had done some upgrades on the launchers. It don't get much better!

Kirby showed what happens to an Estes MEAN MACHINE flown on a D12 - with a seven second delay!
The rain had softened up the ground a bit.
Even with the nosed in landing there was no buckling or bending of the BT-60 tubes!

Kirby pulled out the three inches of (core sampled) dirt and flew it again, this time with a shorter delay.








Ken Cooper brought his new SKYLON.

The Skylon is the U.K.'s entry intoa reusable Hydrogen spacecraft. You can always count on Ken to bring models built with extra care from design to flight.

That's Tom Dennon's Mother, Jean Ivery.

Shes' flying a Quest BIG BETTY with a C6-5 in honor of her Mother Betty.

To the left of Jean's rocket is my CD SPOOL.

The Spool is a favorite, especially the fast spin on the recovery.

Kirby flew his new Quest PLANET PROBE twice with C6-0s.


My also flowns:
Centuri VULCAN clone on a Estes B6-2. No tail wag at all during boost. The angled lug seems to get it off the rod on a straighter path.
Hot Rod Rockets BELL BOTTOM with an A3-4t. This indestructible models finally shows signs of wear. The Kevlar line burned through at the engine block.

FlisKits MMX HONEST JOHN. The nose cone ejected but the streamer didn't. From thirty feet back it's hard to follow but I did see this one through launch, ejection and landing. No damage. Estimated altitude 100'. Estimated attitude 200'.

Keep an eye out for the R.O.C.K. launch shots from Roger Smith on http://www.rocketreviews.com/

The new jonrocket.com trailer was open for business and open for recovery of one streamer recovery model.