Launch Date: April 18th, 2022

 This past Monday, the Colorado Front Range enjoyed a day with a small window of respite from the strong wind conditions that have been prevalent over the past several weeks.

It was good to finally have an opportunity to get some rocket flying in.

A handful of area rocketeers converged on the Dove Valley field to do just that. Interestingly, aside from Yours Truly Blogger, the group consisted of an entirely different set of rocketeers than that which participated in the March 3rd launch.

On hand this day were Roy Houchin, Paul Wolaver, Brock Wood, and Jesse Ulibarri. Paul and Brock are newcomers to our 'Band of Merrie Men'.  Some of you might know Jesse as one of the hosts of The Model Rocket Show podcast.

I started the festivities off with a launch of a scratch-built replica of the Mark II Rock-A-Chute. Flying on A10 power, the bird turned in a perfect flight and recovery.

Paul Wolaver's first launch of the day was a Canadian Red Arrow, which he had painted in a green color scheme and dubbed  'Green Weenie'. Flying on a D12 motor, the model turned in an impressive flight, recovering safely on a rotating parachute.

Roy Houchin brought out his first model of the day, a Quest Nike Smoke.  Flying on E9 power the bird flew very straight and high with successful parachute recovery and nearby landing.

My second launch of the day went to a newly-built Big Bertha.

A short conversation ensued during the model's prep time:

Ed:  "Hey, Roy, Do you know what the recommended first-flight motor is for a Big Bertha?"

Roy: "I think it's a B6-4."

Ed (while inserting motor): "Great!  C6-5 it is !"

(Blogger's note: I think I pulled this same one on Lee Reep in the not-so-distant past. My apologies, guys!)

Textbook Big Bertha flight on a C6-5.

Photo courtesy of Dave Pearson

Next on the pad was Paul's modified Citation Patriot. The bird turned in an outstanding flight on a C6-5 motor, followed by a safe recovery.

Roy followed this up with a launch of  his upscale Estes Flip Flyer.  The model boosted straight and to a respectable altitude on a C5-3 motor. It arced over and started heading toward terra firma. We all feared a prang when - POP - off went the ejection charge, maybe fifty feet from the ground. At perhaps twent feet, the fully deployed rotors began spinning and landed the model safely. A real heart-stopper flight, indeed!

So far everything was going great.   But, sadly, all success streaks must eventually come to an end.

Even though the wind was blowing at a sustained 5mph, with gusts up to 10, I opted to try out a glider flight. The honors went to an Estes Solo. 

During boost , the model weathercocked into the wind on a B6-2 and flew to maybe 150 feet where it turned over and began streaking in. The ejection charge failed to eject the nose and parachute.  Lawn dart...

The body tube sustained some crimps but can be replaced. The Solo will live to fly again - on a less windy day.

Paul soon had his next model on the pad and ready to fly.  This time it was that classic kit, Der Red Max.  Flying on a B6-4, the fun model made an excellent journey into the blue Colorado sky.

Roy soon his next bird prepped and ready to fly - a Black Brant III topped with a new Estes Astrocam video camera.  The model flew very nicely and was successfully recovered.

Here a couple of interesting still frames from the flight video:

My next flight was turned in by the freshly completed Estes ESAM- 58.  Great boost on a C6-5 motor, and a good recovery.  The model did break one of the small rear fins on landing, but it's an easy repair.

Around this time Brock Wood was ready to launch his first bird of the day, a completely scratch-built two-motor cluster rocket of his own design.  Brock named the orange and blue model the 'Bronco', a very appropriate moniker, as the park in which we were flying is right across the street from the Denver Broncos headquarters and practice complex.

After experiencing a few difficulties with his home-built relay cluster ignition system, Brock got the Bronco off to a very nice flight.  Dual A10-3T motors lofted the bird straight and high. Parachute deployment was perfect, and the model touched down nearby to the launch site. One fin had broken loose on the landing, but it was a great flight, nonetheless. 

Following this, Roy had a unique model ready to go on the pad.  This was a Peter Alway design of an LRD D-1, an early Russian test rocket.  The interesting little silver, swept-fin rocket turned in an impressive flight on a B4-2 motor.

My final flight of the day went to the recently-constructed Crossfire ISX for its maiden flight. The model turned in a good run. The parachute tangled with the body tube and did not fully deploy, but the model fell slowly enough to land intact.

The last flight of today's launch session was put up by Paul with a long scratch-built, boat-tailed model named 'Gemini'. A C6-5 motor took the bird on a nice straight-up flight, followed by good recovery deployment and return.

Jesse Ulibarri did not bring any models to fly this day, but it was good catching up with him. We hadn't seen Jesse at a Dove Valley launch since before the pandemic.  

Models not flown.....

I had brought along a small boost/glider and the Steampunk Protostar to fly, but chickened out on both because of the wind. Roy also had an upscale, R/C Scissorwing Transport that he opted out of flying due to the wind.  He promised to bring it to the next launch.  We definitely look forward to that. Paul also had packed along an intriguing assortment of larger models that did not see air time today.

Here is a parting pic of launch-day guest Dave Pearson displaying my Protostar:

Overall, it was a very good day for model rocketry on the Colorado Front Range, despite the presence of a little wind.

The Time Draws Near...

Having progressed a number of days beyond the Vernal Equinox, I have noted that at 7:00 a.m. MST, the sun is breaking the eastern horizon here in Castle Rock, Colorado, and illuminating the field at Douglas County High School, a favorite launch location. 

This is the time of morning at which I am finished with my daily workout ritual at the local rec center.

This means that it's time to start thinking about resuming my early morning 'shoe box' rocket launches which I began conducting last summer.

I have only to wait until the morning air temperatures start reaching into the mid-50s.

Better start getting some birds prepped....

What's Next In The BlastFromThePast Shop?....

Easy answer. I've got a lot of items in the queue.

Now that the Steampunk Protostar and the 2021 binge-build are behind me, I'm lining up the next series of projects for the upcoming three months.

First on the docket is an Estes Mercury Redstone kit that I've had sitting un-built in the cabinet for awhile.  I've got the parts all laid out and ready to start.

I also have this Estes Booster-55 unit that was given to me by Lee Reep late last year. 

I intend to run down to Hobby Lobby and pick up another Cherokee-E kit to use the parts to build a rocket using the B55. This bird will likely be a good 24mm motor powered vehicle for conducting more video cam/altimeter flights.

Alongside these, I plan to build a couple of first stage boosters to fly with some of my smaller models. These will be BT-5 and BT-20 sizes.

In addition, I plan to use up some spare body tube scraps to knock together some payload sections of various sizes.

As if this weren't enough, I did an inventory of my parachute supply and found things to be lacking there. A 'parachute- fest' is in my near future. 

Also, I have noticed that a good number of my models are sitting on those cheesy old cardboard/spent engine casing  stands.

 Must break out the woodworking tools and fashion some more good display units.

And then there are those victims of my December 2nd launch debacle that are still awaiting repair.

Busy rocketeer.....

Concerning The Steampunk Protostar....

Blogger's Note:  In the interest of keeping this blog interesting and diverse, I sometimes stray from the beaten path and post something random, unusual, or off-the-wall.  The following is just such a post.

Having finally completed the build of the Steampunk Protostar, I decided to don my 'writer's cap' and concoct the following fictitious, humor-laden account of the 'history' of the craft:

Enjoy....

Following are excerpts from the journal of the esteemed inventor and adventurer associated with the Protostar, one Prof. Thaddeus P. Zamphyr. 

Professor Zamphyr, along with his assistant and builder, Hiram S. Bulch, have been deeply engaged in developing, constructing, and testing a rocket vehicle for well over a decade.  Their ultimate aim is, of course, a journey to the moon.

The account highlights begin here:

April 1895 - "Upon initial attempt at a launch of the steam-driven Moon Vessel, we found, to our consternation, that the steam pressure we had built up was by no measure adequate to budge the craft by even a handsbreadth. Nothing of significance was accomplished save the production of a substantial amount of smoke and steam, accompanied by a great noise."

May 1896 "After attempting to modify the steam drive for optimum pressure and nozzle velocity, we experienced only slightly improved results, yet not near enough to approach propelling the vessel.  It has become quite apparent that an entirely different system of propulsion will be necessary in order to realize success.  A very disappointing setback, indeed."

December 1896  "Word has come to us of a maker of solid gun powder-based propulsion devices!  The said firm is located across the Atlantic, deep within the interior of the continental United States of America.  I propose to send them a letter of inquiry right away, in the hopes that this company's product might prove to be a solution to our dilemma."

June 1897. "Following successful negotiation and proper payment to the firm mentioned in December of last year, Mr. Bulch and I have acquired some of their black powder propulsive devices, and are forthwith engaged in modifying and refitting our vessel to accommodate them. The proprietor assures us that the devices will perform admirably, provided we follow the precise instructions and precautions associated with their use. The gentleman does, by no means, guarantee that his 'propulsors' are adequate in strength to permit our vessel to reach the moon, but he postulates that they will provide a 'jolly good ride' into earth's atmosphere.  We shall be content with that."

July 1897  "From experimentation with our new American-made propulsor, Mr. Bulch and myself have busied ourselves with the design and testing of the system recommended by the firm for igniting them.  This requires the use of electricity, a discipline of which neither of us is intimately familiar. I must consult the latest scientific journals and published papers to remedy this situation."

September 1897  "Success,!  We have managed, by our newfound electrical knowledge, to ignite one of the propulsors in a ground-based test.  We are now free to continue preparations of the vessel and, eventually, embark on our adventure.  Mr. Bulch and myself have retired to the parlour this evening for a celebratory glass of Sherry and a good Havana cigar, and to discuss final preparations!  Cheers!"

September 1897  "Following our string of successes, I employed a professional photographer to take images of our vessel, copies of which I sent off to the propulsion firm in the United States.  The representative was duly impressed by the fruits of our efforts.  He proposed that the vessel should be named 'Protostar'.  I have no inkling of what this means or what a proto star might be, yet I found the moniker to be quite satisfactory.  Mr. Bulch was in full agreement."

December 1897  With our vessel now named and nearly made ready for its maiden flight, I sent a letter off to Her Majesty The Queen to inform her of our endeavor and to ask if we might have her Royal blessing and permission to christen the vessel as the H.M.M.V.  (Her Majesty's Moon Vessel) Protostar.

February 1898  Received a letter from one of  The Queen's ministers, that read thusly:

"It is my sad duty to inform you of Her Majesty The Queen's response to your recent query. Her Majesty has stated, in no uncertain terms, that she considers your endeavor to be representative of the utmost form of absurdity.  Her Majesty also strongly denies permission to associate The Crown with such 'quackery'."

March 1898  "All is in readiness to partake of our maiden flight into the unknown aboard the Protostar.  All supplies and necessities are made fast, and a full check of the vessel has been thoroughly conducted.  This present volume of the journal will end here.  The second volume is aboard the craft, ready for entries describing our journey."

No further news or journals of this adventure have since been found. The fate of Prof. Zamphyr, Mr. Bulch, and the Protostar vessel remains to this day, shrouded in mystery....

BAR Fleet #133 - Steampunk Protostar

Source:  Estes Industries Kit #7260

Highly Modified

Type: Futuristic Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 24mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  62.4 (24.6 in.)

Diameter:  41.8mm (1.64 in.)

Weight Empty:  148.7g (5.25 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Parabolic

Fin Type: Swept, with Pods

Number of Fins: 3

Color Scheme:  Metallic Copper, Silver, Aluminum, Brass

Date Completed:  April 6, 2022

A Flight Of Fancy...

Back in May of 2018, Estes Industries R&D designer John Boren posted a reply on one of the online rocketry forums in a thread discussing the proper paint scheme for the Estes Protostar kit. John posed the question concerning when the first steampunk version would be built.

After reading this, I decided that I would make an attempt at rising to the task. With 40% coupon clutched tightly in hand, I made the trek to the local Hobby Lobby, returning home with a new Protostar kit.

Next step was to consult the Wonderful World Wide Web to learn what 'steampunk' was all about.

With the kit and newfound knowledge now in my possession, I retired to the Secret Basement La-BOR-atory to pore over a drawing board. After several moments of taxing the few active brain cells that are left to me (I blame the many years working in the electronics industry), I had a working concept plan laid out.

Work soon began on the model.  At the outset, I had no clear ideas on how many of the myriad details were going to be rendered.  These just happened to be worked out as the build progressed.

Ultimately, the build stretched out over nearly four years.  Not that the build actually took that long, but the model languished on the shelf for long periods of time while I pursued other various rocketry projects.

Zillions of Rivets !

As seen in the accompanying photos, the Protostar is covered with copious amounts of rivet detail. These were all painstakingly hand punched on adhesive paper sections that were then applied to the model.  I never bothered to count how many rivets were made, but I'm sure they number into the thousands!

I won't go into a detailed description of the build here, as the full process is well-documented and photographed in the BlastFromThePast blog.  There are forty-five posts covering the build.  Here is a link to the first of these:

BlastFromThe Past: Steampunk Protostar, Part 1 - A Marvelously Splendid New Adventure (castlerocketeer.blogspot.com)

Flying The Steampunk Protostar

Many model rocketeers would be quite reluctant to risk flying a model such as this more than one time. After all, many hours of work went into the build, much of it dedicated to forming and applying large amounts of minute detail.  An illuminated magnifying headpiece was used on many occasions! 

All it would take to undo all of this would be a recovery system SNAFU or, worse yet, a destructive motor CATO. Like it or not, those things are an integral part of the hobby of model rocketry.

My plans for the model are to get at least ten flight missions accomplished before retiring it. Maybe more.  In other words, the Steampunk Protostar is by no means to be relegated to a display shelf.

Cheers!

Steampunk Protostar, Part 45 - Some 'Victorian' Decals

 The final touches to the Protostar are in the form of a few home-print decals to represent a brass fleet number and some viewing ports for the crew capsule.

A little searching on the Wonderful World Wide Web netted the following:

A set of cool looking Victorian style brass-colored numerals.  Here they are applied to the designated spot on the model.  I thought the "No." designation was an appropriate touch, as well.

To represent the viewing ports, I came across the image of an ornate antique brass circular picture frame. 

Importing the image into Paint, I had only to apply a black fill to the center of the frame, make a size adjustment, cut/paste three copies, and... Voila !!  

A trio of fancy, frilly viewing ports for the Protostar.

All of these decals were printed on the same page as those required for the recent seven-model binge build.

Here is a pic of the crew capsule with viewing ports in place:

Almost done !!!!!

Steampunk Protostar, Part 44 - The Crew Capsule

 ...a.k.a, nose cone.

Today's post covers the final decorative treatment of the Protostar model's nose section.

There are no new techniques here, as most of the features are a continuation of those found on the main rocket body.

Three vertical riveted strips and a riveted band were laid out, back-punched, painted metallic silver, and applied.

A crew access hatch was formed by painting the assigned area with enamel 'aluminium' paint and surrounding it with a riveted silver frame.

The hatch lock and handle mechanism, as well as the grip bar, were fashioned out of more parts from the aforementioned surplus plastic model kit. Again, these were painted with brass acrylic.

Tomorrow's post will pretty much wrap up the Protostar's decorative aspects with the application of a few home printed decals.

Stay tuned!