N.E.F.A.R. Monthly Launch, January 9, 2016

Roger Smith drove me to the Bunnell, N.E.F.A.R. site at the Clegg Sod Farm. We saw low fog all the way there.
The low ceiling kept most MPR and HPR flights grounded. Even some LPR rockets topped out in the fog, you couldn't see the ejections.There was no wind, some hoped for breeze to clear the sky. The LPR launchers were busy until the sun broke through at 12:45. By then the fog cleared and a few larger rockets were launched. At 1:30 the NEFAR club held its annual meeting.




Here's NEFARs first launch of 2016, my Quest VIPER with a Quest A6-4. This was loaded for a schoolyard launch and left in my range box. A good standby to have with today's low visibility. Estimated altitude was 225' with full chute at ejection.

My old MPC NIKE SMOKE had a perfect, straight boost with an Estes C6-5.
A textbook flight with a spill holed parachute at apogee.
Estimated altitude was 500'.

Mark Laiuppa brought some scratch builds and classics.
Here's his Mercury Redstone with a detailed tower.
It was launched with a A10-3t.

My prototype Mercury Engineering 3" SCHOOL ROCKET stayed together today after a slow launch with a D12-3. Last month the Kevlar line broke through the upper centering ring at ejection. Today the new tri-fold mount held the 1/4" shock cord.
Low and slow to about 325'. A small fin root edge crack prevented a second E9-4 flight, an easy fix.
This soon to be released kit will be a great value with a $14.99 price. It's similar to a Estes Big Daddy but about 10" taller.

With all the new Star Wars movie hype, I had to fly the Estes R2D2.
The Estes C6-3 gave a slow boost, by the time of the rear eject parachute the droid had arced over. Ejection was a loud pop with full chute and a nose down landing. No damage.

This picture shows a variety of LPR models flown.
Chris Hubbard joined us with his wife's favorite, the Estes V2. A C11 engine was a good fit with the low ceiling.
Next to the V2 was the Moon family's Odd'l Birdie launched with an A3-4t.
On the far right is Mark Laiuppa's Estes Mars Snooper.

After a long drive, the outhouse is the first stop for many.
I saw quite a few outhouses at the ranch, but none like this!
Outside the outhouse is hand sanitizer, complimentary sunscreen, paper towels and disinfectant wipes.
NEFAR photographer Thea makes sure we stay tidy. Thanks Thea!

My best flight of the day was the New Way Rocketry N-20 DEMON.
While the instructions recommend a D12-3, I went with a D12-5. Some were curious about the square tube kit still being built on the blog.

An arrow straight boost with no roll. Altitude was around 750'.
For a second it was out of sight in fog, then the parachute came into view. The 20" chute was probably a little large but with no wind it landed close.

Also flown, the carded BLACK BRANT VB with a very old Centuri 1/2A4-3t engine. Boost was great, the ejection didn't push out the streamer. With just the nose cone blown it fell slow enough with no damage.
While I felt for the MPR and HPR guys not being able to fly, the LPR rack turnovers were quick and busy.
Six up, six recovered. One cracked fin fillet and a melted streamer. Not too bad.