R.O..C.K. Monthly Launch, June 7, 2025

I had hoped to get in two more test flights of the Odd'l Rockets ROBOT today.

Boost was stable with a B6-4 motor, but at ejection the head popped off! The rear ejection worked fine, and the main body found.

But, the head was lost. No C6-5 second launch today.

Second up was the downscaled Centuri UFO INVADER. 

It performed as advertised, turning over at apogee and landing on the spring wire legs. 

Space X has nothing on this 1976s kit!

Boost was labored but straight up with a C6-3 in the tail.

The New Way LETTER GO yielded the best launch picture of the day.

An older Chinese Quest B6-4 had a noisy boost with an altitude guess at 325 feet.

The 12" parachute was large enough for recovery on the newly mowed field.

You can see how small the ASP Micro HAWK next to the BT-55 diameter model.

I like to add a Micro-Maxx launch for some variety. Boost is always fast. Altitude was an estimated 75 feet.

I asked for extra eyes to follow the descent but with the shiny streamer it was easy to track.

Only launched four rockets today. It was very hot and might be my last launch until Florida cools off next October.

Launch! R.O.A.R. Monthly, Christmas, FL, May 17, 2025

Summer heat is here!

I returned for a second monthly launch with the ROAR club in Christmas Florida.

The Quest kit-bashed Intruder has been renamed the INTERTRUDER . First launch was an Estes B6-4.

Some reviews say the boost can be squirrelly. Mine was straight and true to an estimated 350'. For half of the descent, the chute was caught up on on wing. It released and opened a hundred feet up.

I was expecting some damage but it touched down with the fin dowels and toothpicks intact.

This is a Jim Flis design, patterned after a playground gym.

The SKY RAIDER was stable but labored using the Estes C6-3.

I couldn't get a boost shot so here's the ejection. That's only an 8" parachute, easy to pack in what little area is left inside. 

I would guess the altitude to be around 400'. 

No damage at recovery.

Next up, the Estes SKY TRACER clone.

An A8-3 didn't give much altitude, maybe 175'. 

One of the trailing engine assemblies broke off, they are the first thing to hit under a parachute. 

I looked, but couldn't find all the pieces. These were a complex assembly, this rocket might be retired. 

The new Odd'l Rockets ROBOT prototype had two more test flights.

The first with another B6-4 to 275', the second launch a C6-5 to 425'.

The Robot arms are set to induce some spin stability. The spin was evident as the model slowed down on the C6-5 boost. This second test build also had .25 oz. of clay weight in the head.

Because of how the nose cone is attached, this rocket uses rear eject. The 12' chute is rolled around the engine mount centering rings. No wadding is needed.

Two more stable flights, no damage.

I don't think many of the ROAR members have had experience with MicroMaxx models of motors. They spent a few minutes questioning why the German made igniter wasn't giving them a usual ohm reading.

I got lucky with the burst feature and caught the launch of the Semroc MMX BLUE BIRD ZERO. MMX launches are quick!

You can easily see a size difference when loaded next to other models on the rack. Boost was a loft to 50'. Streamer recovery with no damage.

6 launched including the two prototype flights. One damaged. 

A hot but productive day.

R.O.C.K. Monthly Launch, April 5, 2025

Weather forecast was for 20 mph wind gusts and 90 degrees! I almost didn't go - It wasn't that bad,  rockets were prepped with A and B motors.

I'm glad my car had all wheel drive as the wild hogs really tore up the field. It was a bumpy ride in!

First test flight of the ROBOT design.

I was concerned about stability, but it was fine with a B6-4 motor. Rear eject worked, but - 

 

The winds took it into the trees!

I chalked it up as a loss, there were a few others rockets caught in the high pines to the West side of the field.

To my surprise - John and Tom got it down with the extension pole! No damage, ready for more tests. I may add some nose weight before using a heavier C6-5 motor.

The upscale BT-50 STAR SEEKER had a first flight with an A3-4t engine.

Vertical boost, reefed chute to about 250 feet.

I expected to see a fin torn off at touchdown, there is a very short root edge on this one. No damage! 

I usually prep a MicroMaxx model for each club launch, just to show the kids how small rockets can be.

This is the OOP Fliskit MMX SATURN V. Note the conical stability at the low end. No launch pic for this one, MMX are too  fast to capture.

I usually ask for extra eyes on these small builds as the launches are fast -  This one is slower and the black cone on the back is easy to follow through boost.

Altitude was probably 50' with streamer eject. No damage.

Still being built on this blog - 

The Estes ATV (Avanced Target Drone) clone had a first flight using an A8-3.

Textbook launch and recovery. Altitude estimated at 225'.

Always a Goony favorite - 

The NIKE GOON flys again! This is it's seventh launch.

An Estes B6-4 got it to 250 feet.

The home print decals are starting to yellow - 

My favorite launch of the day goes to Cory Skinner.

This is his build of the Oviedo Water Tower.

The legs of the tower are carbon fiber, the upper tube was a Nestle's chocolate milk can. Other detail parts are 3D printed.

Powered by an E30-4 motor, the flight was clean and true.

Hot and a bit windy - good a good day!

Five launches, five recoveries and no damage.

Launch! R.O.A.R. Monthly, February 23, 2025

For a change, I went to the R.O.A.R. launch in Christmas, FL. ROAR has one of the most sophisticated pre-launch procedures I have ever seen. 

There is a four pad low power rack and a mid power rail launcher.

Many Blue Origin families and first timers today. It took a while for the pads to clear so the "old timers" could launch.   

I had the first rocket in the air today.

A favorite, the Quest FLV with an Estes C6-5. Estimated altitude was 500 feet.

Stable, clean with touchdown close to the pad.

Next up was the New Way ALIEN INVADER with a B6-4.

This is one of the square tube models from New Way.

Estimated altitude was 350'.

One broken and separated fin on landing.

Flight of the day goes to Gary Dahlke.

An Honest John with a G79-4. The loud motor surprised the first timers.

A chute release was set for 300'. 

The Florida Tech Design Group brought their Doordash D.A.R.T.

Dart stands for Demonstrator for Autonomous Rapid Transport.

Today was a "boost" test using a G25 motor. In future flights, they hope to land it much like a Space X booster. The landing legs are retracted here.

Next up was the Estes EAC FIRE CAT clone with a B6-4

Altitude was estimated at 300'.

I usually expect to break a fin on this one, but it touched down without damage.

Here's the Odd'l Rockets F-18 in the Blue Angels decal livery.

I should have used a B6-4, but had an anemic A8-3 loaded.

The rocket launch was a "loft", maxing out at 200 feet.

No damage on recovery.

The Estes STAR SEEKER clone (now being built on this blog) had a first launch with a 1/2A3-2t motor.

Fast and high for a 1/2A engine, probably reaching 225 feet.

Good thing I added a streamer! You'll need one to find it as it falls.

I was warned - a fin did break off when it hit the ground.

To finish the day, I did launch a MMX Fliskits CRAYON. It was a big hit with the kids.

I would guess it got to 100'. It needed lots of eyes on it and a few helped find it in the low weeds.

Six up, six recovered, two with broken and fixable fins.

LAUNCH! Orlando R.O.C.K. Monthly, January 4, 2025

Cold weather and winds today!

Lots of first timers flying their Christmas presents. 

I ended up as LCO, so I only got three into the air after the initial rush was over.
 

The Semroc SNAKE JUMPER showed marginal stability with a noisy Quest Chinese made B6-4.

It flew 15 degrees to the South, maybe to 300 feet. Ejected a reefed chute and ended up high in a tree. I gave it up as lost.

My best launch of the day was the Estes MINI BERTHA clone.

It got higher than you would guess with the 1/2A3-2t motor. The reefed chute brought it home behind the flight line.

Estimated altitude, 250'.

Here's a unicorn, 

The Estes BLUE ORIGIN NEW SHEPARD.

It's a rare bird, one of the few that was released before the fins were enlarged for better stability.

It wasn't perfectly balanced as it wiggled during the B6-4 boost to 300'. Under chute, it drifted into the trees.

I wasn't going to bother getting it down, but others retrieved it with an extendable pole!

Three up, one lost in a tree! I need to thin the herd anyway,

Launch! Orlando R.O.C.K. Monthly, December 7, 2024

I did go to the ROCK launch last month but only had one flight.

Today I was hoping to make up for that.

My Centuri VECTOR V clone was first in the air with an Estes A8-3.

On the left is an Estes Viking, the kit used to make my clone.

Altitude was estimated to be around 225 feet. Reefed 12" chute recovery.

Here's Roger Smith of JonRocket.com with Buddy the rocket dog.

A favorite is my Goony X-15. Part are from a Quest X-15 parts pack but built around a shorter BT-60.

Great stable flight using an older Chinese made Quest B6-4 motor. Estimated altitude was 325'. 

Gary Dahlke flew his Estes Extreme 12 with a D12 booster and an A8-5 sustainer.

Perfect launch and recovery.

I can safely say I am the only one who launches Micro Maxx models at the ROCK launches. The younger flyers haven't seen them before and always have questions.

This is the ASP MMX CORPORAL, a well performing MMX bird.

It was easy to follow the mylar streamer as it descended.

Until it went into the brush!

David Hoffman helped with recovery and saw it.

At first he thought it was a cigarette butt. 

He's holding it in his right hand.

My Estes STEALTH build is made from BT-50 tubing, not the six-sided plastic body like in the original kit.

B6-4 to 325' with a large spil hole cut into the Odd'l Rockets chute.

Bodhi wore a perfect rocket builder's shirt!

My last launch of the day was a Semroc CENTURION using an Estes C6-5.

Next to it is Cory's Der Big Red Max and Chris' V2.

Altitude was near 500'. At ejection, the shock cord was tangled around the rear fins! It fell with no damage.

Great weather, some low winds. Five up, five recovered with no damage. 

Launch! Orlando R.O.C.K., April 6,2024

Lots of cars today! The girl scouts launched their TARC models.

The MINI BERTHA being built on the blog is actually finished and had it's first launch today.

After all these years I shouldn't be surprised by how well mini engine models perform. Very stable, the 1/2A3-2t motor. I would guess the altitude capped out at 275'. 

The two second delay seemed short. 

The upper winds were picking up - 

I had the Custom SOLAR EXPLORER prepped with a C6-5. I wasn't worried about losing this one - the BT-50 tube was crimped above the engine mount from an earlier hard landing.

After reaching an altitude around 600', the winds blew it into the trees just South of the flight line. Lost! I really need to thin the heard anyway.

This gives an idea of the variety of models flown. The R.O.C.K. club has 12 low power launchers and one mid power pad.

Blow up the picture and you can just make out the clear plastic fin extensions I added to the Micro Maxx Quest SATURN V.

The larger fins really didn't help much, it was unstable after it cleared the short launch rod.

Once in a while I get a decent launch shot - 

This is Gary Dahlke's Extreme 12.

My best flight of the day - 

I didn't get a launch shot of my Centuri ARGUS clone. Today flown with a C6-5 to 500'. 

I only used one parachute, the original kit had two, one for the low end, another for the long upper section. 

The parachute was taped closed in a "hillbilly hat" for faster descent.

Here's a weird one.

It started as a regular bagged Custom kit that sat in the direct sun a little too long. The nose cone was melted and bent. I bought the kit.

The body tube was cut into angled wedges and glued together like the Fliskits ACME Spitfire. I renamed it WARPED.

A B6-4 pushed it to at least 600'. I thought it would drift into the trees. I landed in the adjacent field. Recovered and retired.

I actually captured a MicroMaxx launch!

The Semroc MMX BLUE BIRD ZERO.

Estimated altitude was 75', no damage after the streamer recovery.

With all the people at the launch I really didn't think I'd get many in the air. Six launched, five recovered, one lost.

Although it wasn't very hot, the temps have picked up over the past few weeks. I probably won't be doing another club launch until next October. A full day in the sun really tires me out!

Launch! Orlando R.O.C.K., March 2, 2024

This is a new clone build, soon to be featured on the blog.

A rare one, the Estes SKYTRACER.

Winds were picking up, I was concerned the large wing might turn the rocket into the wind. I went small for the first launch with a recommended A8-3.

Very stable, low 200' altitude and full chute. 

This was a flight test build for a upcoming Odd'l Rockets kit, the CYCLONE with an Estes B6-4. 

A simple offset ring make the rocket spiral during boost. You could easily see the wiggle in the smoke trail.

Under the tie-dyed streamer, the rocket was blown towards the parking lot. Recovered with no damage.

The New Way NIKE AJAX was another first launch. This is the same model being built now on this blog.

The B6-4 got it to 325'. At ejection, the new elastic shock cord burned through! The nose section came down under chute, the long body spun and fell horizontally. 

No damage except for a shock cord that needs replacing.

Rich Cody launched his classic Estes Space Shuttle with a C6-3. 

The shuttle did separate into a slight stall glide.

Rich also flew his Odd'l F-16 with a B6-4.

Here's Steve Moon's VENUS PROBE during boost.

And landing!

Fourth launch for me was the Excelsior NIKE GOON.

A B6-4 got an altitude of 350'. Full chute, textbook flight.

My fifth flight was the Rocketship Games HAWKEYE using a MicroMaxx motor. Boost is always fast on these little models, good thing I had some young eyes to point me to the landing area.

Five up, five recovered. Only a shock cord to be replaced in the Nike Ajax.