Launch - Schoolyard, February 4, 2014

There has been low fog the past few mornings, today was clear and winds calm!
I walked over to the schoolyard soccer field about 7:15 a.m.

The FlisKits CRAYON was first up with a MicroMaxx engine.
Straight up, and very high to 100 feet.
At ejection the body separated but the streamer stayed inside the upper body section.
No damage or loose clear fins on recovery.




Here's the new one, a Red River Rocketry STARLINER.
I picked this one up in the recent Uncle Mike's sale.

It has a conical base and very small fins.
The maiden flight was with an Estes A8-3.
Arrow straight to an estimated 250'.

The 12" eight sided Mylar parachute brought it down slow with a soft landing.

When the model was picked up I noticed a crimp in the BT-50 body!
I thought the long launch lug was cosmetic but the lug probably prevented the crimp happening lower in the tube.

This only reinforces my resolution to use thicker walled ST-9 tubes instead of BT-50s on future builds. Looks like I've got to make another order to Semroc!

The flight worn Quest STRIKER AGM had it's ninth flight with an Estes B6-4.
Estimated altitude was 325'.

A textbook flight with no damage on recovery, just more dirt on the flat finish paint.

The indestructible Hod Rod Rockets BELL BOTTOM flew to and estimated 400' with an Estes A10-3t engine.
A new Mylar streamer brought it down close.

19 flights and it keeps on going.
I can't seem to damage or lose this one!





This is a great small field flyer with a Estes B6-4 engine.
The Estes SUPER ALPHA got to about 300'.

I was a little concerned about the 18" parachute as the wind just just starting to stir the palm trees. No problem, it came down close.

This big Alpha was built for D engines and has a 3/16" launch lug.

TIP: My LPR camera tripod launcher has a 1/8" diameter launch rod.
I carry a taped 1/8" lug that friction fits into the 3/16" diameter lug on the model.
After a launch it is pushed out with a dowel.