Dec 1 Launch Photos

[tbzep]

Got a new lens for the camera. It's really nice, but I got mixed results on the launch photos. It doesn't like the focus settings I was using on the other lens so I had to delete a bunch of pics that were blurry. On the flip side, I got a really sweet liftoff shot of my son's Harpoon. Someday I'll learn what I'm doing and get consistent.

Son's Red Max
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0031a.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0037.jpg

My EAC Viper rebuild/clone (has original nosecone and parachute).
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0038.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0040.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0043.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0048.jpg

[tbzep]

My son's Harpoon
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0053.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0055.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0055a.jpg

Uh, oh.... It's way up there too.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0094.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0094a.jpg

[tbzep]

My Nike-X clone
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0067.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0068.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0075.jpg

Semroc Little Joe II
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0082.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/12-1-07/DSC_0085.jpg

[Green Dragon]

Great photos as usual .

I especially like the recovery shots - and the vintage chute on the EAC Viper :)

got one quick question on the Viper - do you know what paint / colors you used ?

curious as I have my own EAC VIper completely build, Inkjet decals printed ( although I do have an original sticker set, if need be ), I have the white painted on the entire bird, now need to match the purple and yellow/orange colors...

thanks again, and keep the 'inspiration' coming :D

~ AL

[mojo1986]

As usual, really great photos! I had my Estes V-2 hang up in a tree just like that, the shroud lines all wrapped around various twigs. Tried to climb to get it, but it was just too dangerous. Then I got the idea of a slingshot. It took a lot of tries, but I eventually snapped the main twig that was holding it and down it came, no worse for wear! I'd like to take credit for the marksmanship, but I was aiming at the parachute! By the way, what's with the last photo of the Nike X..............it seems to be falling out of the sky.

Joe

[tbzep]

Great photos as usual .

I especially like the recovery shots - and the vintage chute on the EAC Viper :)

got one quick question on the Viper - do you know what paint / colors you used ?

curious as I have my own EAC VIper completely build, Inkjet decals printed ( although I do have an original sticker set, if need be ), I have the white painted on the entire bird, now need to match the purple and yellow/orange colors...

thanks again, and keep the 'inspiration' coming :D

~ AL

I used Krylon 1914 Rich Plum for the purple color.

I'm not sure what I used for the yellow. It was either the old Krylon John Deere Yellow (now discontinued) or the Plasti-kote 2380 School Bus Yellow.

After looking at a couple of my old worn decals, the catalog photos, the iron on insignias, and dozens of other online photos of the Viper, I couldn't be 100% sure of the original decal color. I decided to buy some paint that looked about right and just tweak the decals to match it. It was a lot cheaper and easier than buying a thousand different shades of purple to try to match decals. :eek:

[tbzep]

As usual, really great photos! I had my Estes V-2 hang up in a tree just like that, the shroud lines all wrapped around various twigs. Tried to climb to get it, but it was just too dangerous. Then I got the idea of a slingshot. It took a lot of tries, but I eventually snapped the main twig that was holding it and down it came, no worse for wear! I'd like to take credit for the marksmanship, but I was aiming at the parachute! By the way, what's with the last photo of the Nike X..............it seems to be falling out of the sky.

Joe

It is falling out of the sky in that shot. :cool: It was unpredictably gusty today and the Nike-X is the newest rocket in the fleet. I decided to play it safe and fly it on an A8-3, which should have given it a decent little boost to 150 or maybe 200 ft. The boost sounded a little funny and it didn't even make 100 ft. The thing backslid a few feet and then turned nose down before ejecting. I snapped a pic as it was nosing down.

BTW, I've used the wrist slingshot with a lead weight and fishing line to retrieve several rockets the last few years. A couple of times I got lucky and put it over the same limb the first couple of tries, but a few times it took a good 30 minutes to get them down. We would have tried today, but our priorities were on the SEC Championship game that was about to start. :rolleyes: If it doesn't rain tonight, I'll go out tomorrow and take a shot at it.

[Vanel]

Wonderful pics!!! :D

[space_bus]

Beautiful pictures, as always. :)

[pantherjon]

Wonderful shots as usual!:) Pretty cool spotting the plugs and how high they bounce right after ignition..Especially cool on the Nike and Little Joe launch pics :)

[CPMcGraw]

I liked that "falling out of the sky" shot. Reminds me of those NASA films where the rockets do unexpected things before the destruct signal is sent and spoils the show... :D

[Rocketflyer]

tbzep, terrific craftsmanship, and great photos. I can see that your son follows the craftsmanship. Well done! Thank you.

[Intruder]

tbzep, terrific craftsmanship, and great photos. I can see that your son follows the craftsmanship. Well done! Thank you.

Thank you Rocketflyer. We tried to retrieve my Harpoon today. Sadly, all I have to show for the effort is one of its 12 fins. :( Doesn't look like I'm gonna be flying anything on B4s any more.

[barone]

How high up in the trees? You can manufacture a rocket retrieval tool using PVC and connectors. Good for maybe 40' depending on the size you use. Then it's just too flexible.

[Rocketflyer]

Thank you Rocketflyer. We tried to retrieve my Harpoon today. Sadly, all I have to show for the effort is one of its 12 fins. :( Doesn't look like I'm gonna be flying anything on B4s any more.

Oh man, that's a bummer :( Sorry to hear that.

[tbzep]

How high up in the trees? You can manufacture a rocket retrieval tool using PVC and connectors. Good for maybe 40' depending on the size you use. Then it's just too flexible.

It's in the canopy of a mature white oak. Probably 70 ft. I spent a while with the slingshot/fishing line this morning. I managed to hang the limb a couple of times, but couldn't get it pulled out. Since it's oak, the limb wouldn't break either. I did manage to knock a fin off, but that's about it. It's rained the last three or four hours, so the harpoon is history. I guess we can salvage the nosecone and engine hook when the chute finally rots in a few months.

[cas2047]

OUTSTANDING pictures as usual! It would be too hard to pic any one favorite shot because they were all fantastic.

The Viper shots were great. I had one as a kid and it brings back memories to see one taking to the sky. I think I have one from QModeling coming this Christmas.

Sorry to hear about the Harpoon...

[DaveR]

Great pics as usual, always look forward to seeing your launch photos. Too bad about the Harpoon, it looked top notch.

[Johnnie]

Late post, but I had to say something, Wow! Most excellent shots and flights.

Johnnie

[tbzep]

Late post, but I had to say something, Wow! Most excellent shots and flights.

Johnnie

Thanks. I've got four or five other photo threads.
Click on this advanced search link. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/search.php?searchid=170622)
The photo threads are the ones that are in the "Mission Control" forum listed in the right hand column.