Launch! Schoolyard Soccer Field, October 24, 2015

As soon as it was light enough, I headed over to the schoolyard at about 7:30 a.m. It's cool out with no winds - perfect.

I haven't flown the carded downscale Estes WOLVERINE since 2011.
It was prepped with an engine that Lonnie B. gave me. It was an old Centuri 13mm, a 1/2 A4-3m, dated 7-25-75.
I held the button down for two seconds before it took off. I would estimate the apogee at 200'.
The engine burn was fine and the streamer ejected. The boost had a tight corkscrew, typical for this small rocket. I think the small front sub fins throw it off a bit.




Next up was a favorite, the Quest ESCORT AS-1.
It had the normal Quest A6-4 engine and boost reached an estimated 250'.
Full parachute and no damage on recovery.
This was it's 17th flight, I might retire it and make another.






You can't go wrong with a Estes RED MAX.
Low and slow enough with an Estes B6-4 to 275'.
A textbook flight and and I caught it before it hit the wet grass.

This was one of the first rockets I put together when I got back into the hobby. My first attempt at cloning wasn't correct so it was rebuilt and repainted. It's sturdy and should be around for a long time.







Another favorite is the Dr. Zooch SLS.
With an Estes B6-4 it reached an estimated 275'.
There was a slow roll during boost.

This was my second catch of the day. I always try to grab the shock cord. I think most damage occurs when the rockets hit the ground.



I usually launch the small ones first but saved the Estes MOSQUITO for last. I thought my eyes might be "tuned up" by then to follow it after ejection.
The 1/4A3-3t engine got it to 275' but being so small it looks like it reached 750'.
At ejection I thought I was watching the rocket but it was falling too fast. I was following the ejected engine. I looked toward the horizon and heard a small "thud".
After five minutes of searching I found it 50' from the launcher tripod, nose first buried in the dirt. It was stuck in the opposite direction I was initially looking.
Featherweight "tumble" recovery? No. It nosed in and aerated the grass.
Launch on low cut grass and never, ever paint these things green.

Five up, five recovered with no damages. I almost lost the Mosquito.