Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Launch Date: 2 June, 2019


This launch session was one of which I like to call “Shoe Box” launches.  This is where I have a short span of time – anywhere from half an hour to forty five minutes – when I can get over to a nearby small park and put up one or two quick flights.  Aside from the launcher and rod, a regular old shoe box packed with only the essential supplies for the launch is taken along.  The models are pre-prepped and ready to go.

Today, the models of choice were the Hornet and an Estes Bandit-3 for its maiden flight.  The launch location was Founders Park in Castle Rock, Colorado.   Weather conditions were clear with a steady 7 mph breeze present.

First up was the Hornet on an A3-4T motor.  The boost was fine, and the parachute ejected at apogee, but failed to open.  The model was recovered with no damage.
 
 

The second flight went to the E2X Bandit 3 on a 1/2A3-4T motor.  Nice boost, ejection, and streamer deployment.  The model landed very nearby after a short flight.  Upon recovery it was found that the end of the body tube had sustained a little nose snap-back damage.  Easy repair.
 
 
 
 
From launcher set-up to packing back to the car, the whole affair took less than half an hour.  Perfect for a quick rocket flying ‘fix’!