Nearly perfect model rocket flying weather prevailed as James Gazur, Mike Goss, and myself converged on Dove Valley Regional Park in Centennial, Colorado to poke some holes in the sky.
Upon arriving at the field, we found that there were two soccer games in progress, so we commandeered the other half of the field, placing our launchers at the upwind end, and where the slight breezes present would not carry any of our models in the direction of the games.
Mike started things off with a launch of a nice looking Semroc Lune R-1, which turned in a picture perfect flight.
This was followed by my old flagship Hornet for its 41st launch.
This one went very well except for a broken shock cord at ejection. The booster lawn-darted while the payload section came down on the parachute. Both pieces were recovered intact.
Next up was Jim Gazur's 13mm motor rocket/glider based on Kevin Wickert's 'Mediocre Fred' design. Jim's model is nicely built with a carbon fiber boom and unique airfoil. The maiden flight was on a 1/2A3-2T. The model had a bit too much lift, arcing over and pranging. Damage was minimal, and Jim figured to have it ready for another flight after a little super-glue and elevator trimming.
My two grandkids and their dad showed up to participate in the launch session. I had brought along a couple of the kids' rockets, so the next launch belonged to my grandson's recently assembled Estes Bandit. Equipped with a crepe streamer, the model turned in a really nice flight. I'm actually impressed at how well these E2X plastic-finned beginners models perform. Elegant simplicity....
By this time, Jim had the first of one of his plastic model conversions on the pad - a Revell 1/56 scale Bomarc . The model boosted nicely on A10-3T power, but experienced a little difficulty with parachute deployment. Only a couple of tail surfaces were slightly damaged on landing.
Mike Goss soon had a very interesting boost /glider prepped to fly - An Edmonds Aerospace 'Deltie'. This is a delta wing glider with a very unusual open wing design. The model boosted nicely on a 1/2A3-2T. At ejection, the glider separated and began a lazy, well trimmed, circling glide right overhead. The model landed gently nearby. Beautiful flight!Encouraged by Mike's excellent glider flight, I deemed it was time to break out my recently built Lunar Patrol for its long-anticipated maiden flight.
Upon ignition, the model boosted straight up to about 400 feet on a B4-2 motor, ejected its parachute, and deployed both gliders perfectly. The delta wings floated in very stable glide patterns downwind to the far end of the field. One of the gliders was so well trimmed that it stayed aloft for well over two minutes. Not bad for a delta. All parts were successfully returned by the expert recovery crew.
A Revell 1/40 scale Nike Hercules was Jim Gazur's next model to leave the pad. The nice looking model was boosted by an A10-3T motor, but was a bit to heavy and draggy. The model lawn darted just as the ejection charge went off.
Next up on my own 'mission agenda' was the maiden flight of the newly built FlatCat boost/glider.
The model boosted nice and straight on a B4-2 motor.
After ejection, the glider seemed to hang up on the pod. I was expecting a 'Red Baron', but after a couple of seconds it broke loose and immediately settled into a stable glide.
The glide trim on the FlatCat was absolutely perfect!
Too perfect, in fact....
The slight wind began carrying the bird downfield, without too much perceptible sink rate. Obviously, there was some thermal action going on up there.
Realizing this bird was going to go a long ways, I began giving chase. The model flew well out of the park boundary and continued on, still at a respectable altitude. I crossed the parking lot and the adjacent street before losing sight of the glider.
Walking about another half mile across a large weedy field, I was stopped by a high chain link fence proclaiming 'NO TRESPASSING'. Ah, yes, the boundary of Centennial Airport. I know the FlatCat flew well into that area, not to be retrieved.
Sadly, this is my first model loss since becoming a BAR. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I still have the pop-pod, however, so it won't be much of a problem to build another glider.
I am still amazed that a FlatCat would turn in such a great performance.
I hope G. Harry was looking down on that one....and smiling....
Meanwhile, during the time I was away chasing after the Flatcat, Jim and Mike continued launching.
Jim flew his rebuilt Heller 1/125 scale Ariane plastic conversion model, this time using a D12-3 motor. The flight went very well. Unfortunately, I was not there to take the usual photos and/or flight video, so I don't have any pics to post of this flight.
Next up, Mike Goss launched a nice Fliskits Overdrive for an excellent flight using 1/2A3 -4T power. He later flew the model for a second successful run.
Soon after, Jim was back in the action again with yet another fine plastic model conversion. This one was his Pegasus 1/48 scale V-2, the same one he flew at Castle Rock back in September. Today the model flew very nicely on a B6-2 motor, and was recovered intact. Again, I didn't get any pics on this one either, as the flight took place while I was still out trying to catch that 'dern fool' FlatCat....
The next bird to go on the pad was Mike's nicely built Estes Vector Force. The model turned in an excellent flight on a B6-4 motor. This would be Mike's final launch of the day, but kudos to him for achieving 100% success rate on all of his launches!
Nearby, Jim was prepping a larger model. He describes the model as a "generic test-bed vehicle for testing a dual deployment system". Utilizing a Perfectflite Stratologger CF altimeter to activate a cable cutter on the main chute at a predetermined altitude, the model was powered by a D12-5 motor.Things didn't quite work out as planned when the cutter fired but failed to cut the cable. The model still recovered successfully on a partially opened parachute.
Next up was my two stage model consisting of a Centuri Star Trooper atop an open air gap booster stage.The model lifted off on a nice straight-up trajectory, but there was no staging action...until about three seconds into the flight. The Trooper's motor iginted at a fairly high altitude, and the bird arced over toward the north. The ejection smoke was visible, but there was no sign of a descending rocket or streamer after that. Both the Trooper and booster stage went un-recovered. Two lost models in one day??? Sheesh !
Later I discovered that I had mistakenly installed an A10-3T in the booster stage instead of the intended A10-0T. Oops! That explains the delayed upper stage ignition. Anyway, the mission objective was successful in that I confirmed operation of open gap staging suitable for a planned upcoming WAC Corporal / Tiny Tim scale build.
The final flight of the day went to Jim Gazur's 'Mediocre Fred' R/G, all patched up from the previous flight and adjustments made to boost phase trim.
This time the model flew perfectly straight up, but failed to pull out of a dive and pranged again, this time damaging the motor pod. Jim was still delighted with the flight as it is a 'proof-of -concept' design for a future R/C controlled version.
With this done, it was time to pack up and head home, smelling of BP and chute powder. Today's launch session netted a total of seventeen model rocket flights in a two hour time span. Not bad for a trio of old geezers and a crack recovery crew of grand-kiddoes!
-Ed
