Orlando R.O.C.K. Monthly Launch, Feb. 4, 2023

Winds were predicted to be up to 20 mph. I think some gusts were above that.

A few first timers launched Estes Vikings with C motors. Some  large parachute models ended up in the trees. Launch rods were angled to the Northeast.

First up for me was the Jim Flis SPACE RAIDER using an Estes C5-3. The very small, 6" parachute kept it on the field. Estimated altitude was 250'.

The fairly recent Estes BLACKHAWK had a first flight with a B6-4.

Straight and true to 250'. The ducted black garbage bag parachute brought it home.

Jonathan Ditges launched his new design, the Starship .001. 

With a D12-3, the design proved unstable with those far forward fins.

A very nice retro look. 

This was one of the first BLUE ORIGIN, NEW SHEPARD kits before Estes recalled them for stability updates. The early version had the smaller fins and no nose weight.

I loaded a B6-4 and had a stable flight to 250'.

I would guess stability was an issue when using a slightly heavier C6-5 motor.

While some used streamers to get their rockets back,

I occasionally tape the parachute closed. When I was in my teens, we called this "Hillbilly Hat" recovery.

Speaking of parachutes - 

The wind was strong enough to drag models across the field. 

The Girls Scouts brought their egg lofting TARC rocket.

This big bird was launched using a F32-6t. One of the two flights landed in the trees.

There were two different R2D2 rockets today.

The original, larger Estes kit seemed underpowered with a C5-3.

The second version, a slightly smaller Estes R2D2 flew stable and true with a C6-3.

The winds prevented many of my flights. What could go wrong with a tiny, dirty, dinged MMX rocket?

Here's my carded Goony ZOOM BROOM. It got as high as 60' with the 1/8 A powered MicroMaxx motor. 

Stable with nose blow recovery. 

Four launches for me today. All recovered with just a balsa ding or two.