FlatCat Boost /Glider Build, Part 1 – Introduction.

The FlatCat Boost Glider was designed by G. Harry Stine back in the earlier days of model rocketry.  It is arguably the quintessential example of a standard front engine pop-pod boost glider, designed to be easily built and flown by model rocketeers who had no previous experience with gliding models. 

The design was originally published in the August 1969 issue of Model Rocketry Magazine in the ‘Old Rocketeer’ column.  In 1970, the glider was produced in kit form by Model Products Corp.  The FlatCat was also featured in the 4^th edition of The Handbook of Model Rocketry.

Though the basic design appears rather clunky by today’s competition-grade standards, the FlatCat proved to be quite popular for use in NAR sanctioned contests in the late 60s through the early 70’s.  Mr. Stine himself flew one to take top Senior Division honors in the Sparrow (A-engine) Boost/Glide event at NARAM-11 in 1969.

Stine made the comment in the Old Rocketeer article that the FlatCat was a good solid design which could be used as a ‘test-bed’ for experimenting with boost/glider modifications.

As for me, I built two of these birds back in 1973, and remember how much fun they were to fly.  One of them was modified to fly as a variable geometry rocket/glider by utilizing a sliding engine pod.  I’ll describe these models in greater detail in a future post.

Anyhow, for a little more insight on the history of the FlatCat, here are a couple of interesting links:

http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showpost.php?p=215005&postcount=67

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/airplane-flying-model-boost-glider-flat-cat

A Very Busy Blogger

The next couple of weeks are going to be a very active time for me here on the BlastFromThePast Blog.  I will be putting out an unprecedented two or three posts per day!

Besides the large amount of NAR Reunion material yet to be written and put up, I am just now finishing up a build of the FlatCat boost/glider downstairs in the secret basement  la-BOR-atory.  I have most parts of a build series on this bird near completion and ready to hit the big green 'GO' button. 

And, who knows, there might be another launch session or two to report on between all of the other posts.

I would like to take this time and thank all of you who have been following this blog!  I suspect that writing has now become one of my minor hobbies.

 I will strive to continue keeping this blog interesting, informative, and FUN!

Cheers!

NAR 60 Year Reunion. Part 5 - Presentation Opening Remarks

Halfway through the reunion activities, the central stage and podium were open to presentations by the various NAR dignitaries who were present.
To start things off, Reunion Coordinator Trip Barber stepped up to welcome all of the attendees and make a few remarks about the reunion. 

The over-arching theme of the event emphasized the 'Pay Forward' concept.  It was pointed out that a good portion of the NAR membership present at this event was aging. (Indeed, a quick look around the room corroborated this - lots of salt & pepper & balding).  Trip urged all of the older members to seek out folks with higher NAR numbers and spend time with them sharing stories about the old days, and getting to know them.

For myself, I followed that directive for most of the latter part of the re-union.  Met a lot of interesting younger rocketeers!

Following Trip to the podium was current NAR President John Hochheimer, who also gave a few opening remarks.

Both men had just returned the day before from Warsaw, Poland after participating in the Internats as part of the U.S. team.  They were experiencing serious jetlag, with their body clocks thinking it was Eastern Europe time.  We definitely applaud their presence here at the reunion!

NAR 60 Year Reunion, Part 4 - Something For Us Glider Nuts

At the NAR reunion, there were several display tables lined up against one of the meeting room walls that contained a lot of very interesting models, photos, and artifacts from the early days of model rocketry.

Being a fan of boost/gliders, I was instantly drawn to the display presented by Larry Renger.

As most of all of us old-time rocketeers know, Larry is the guy who came up with the very first front-engine boost/glider - the SkySlash -  back in the 1960s.

At that period, the boost/glider field was dominated by rear engine models that were essentially large-finned conventional rockets that could be transitioned into gliding vehicles.

The SkySlash virtually revolutionized boost/glider technology, and set the stage for many improvements and refinements that led to the high performance models we fly today.

Here is a pic of one of Larry's famous SkySlash models:



And a photo of the descriptive write-up about the model.  Sorry for the skewed image.  I couldn't take a straight down shot because it would have been obscured by my shadow from the overhead lighting.

Also on display at Larry's table was this gorgeous model, the AstroBlaster....

In addition, Larry had on the table a vintage Estes SkyDart.  The photo I took of it was too blurry to post here, but you can see parts of it in the above two pics.

Most of all, I was thrilled to actually meet and talk gliders with Mr. Renger himself!