Project BERTHA

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Sounds like something some friends of mine did in college, but it's actually a rocketry related project that I've meant to get started on fow quite a while. I know this isn't truly Bertha #1, but it's always been one of my favorite paint schemes for the big girl. I still have the final red stripes to do, but it's recognizable as is. I did the black stripes from memory, so they're a little off, but it's close enough for me. :cool: Balsa nose cone and 18mm power, just like it was meant to be.

[CPMcGraw]

Sounds like something some friends of mine did in college, but it's actually a rocketry related project that I've meant to get started on fow quite a while. I know this isn't truly Bertha #1, but it's always been one of my favorite paint schemes for the big girl. I still have the final red stripes to do, but it's recognizable as is. I did the black stripes from memory, so they're a little off, but it's close enough for me. :cool: Balsa nose cone and 18mm power, just like it was meant to be.

Egads, Bill! We're more alike than either of us realize!

We have pens that look the same! Did you buy that pen, or did you aquire it from some other source?

And your wallet is identical to the one I have, shape, color, same level of emptiness...

One day I'll have to post a picture of myself. I'll give ample warning before I do, however! :eek:

Bertha's are very nice birds, as long as they travel upward and not horizontal like mine did a couple of weeks ago. It was heading right for a group of...softballers...who were using one small corner of the field. Never got more than a hundred feet up, it seemed... I like that paint scheme, too. Did you build it according to the original plans (coupler-style mount with standard 2 3/4" motor tube)?

Craig

[barone]

Since Big Bertha is the topic, have either of you seen the article in the July/August edition of Sport Rocketry? Thomas Beach had it rigged to recover using "non-pyro" ejection. Interesting article. Like to try it myself but I'm not very electrical minded. Still haven't got my 4-engine cluster to ignite (I'm hoping I just didn't have enough juice).

Don

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

I bought that pen YEARS ago when they first came out. Pens are one thing I can keep track of, unless my daughter decides to adopt them. (I've rescued this one several times from her "collection".) The wallet was a TJ Maxx $6 deal that I couldn't pass up. Don't let its looks fool you. It's loaded because I keep forgetting to put the $$$ that my dad gave me for our April vacation in the bank.
As for Bertha, she's just a regular off-the-shelf babe with a better paint job. I should have done the true vintage build as I have a vintage engine mount, but it didn't occur to me.

[Ltvscout]

Sounds like something some friends of mine did in college,
Let me guess...It had something to do with the fat ugly "chick"?

BTW, the rocket looks great! :D

[tbzep]

You have excellent taste in Bertha paint schemes! I happen to like that particular style best also. Case in point, check out my last three pics in this thread. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showpost.php?p=1859&postcount=1)

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

You have excellent taste in Bertha paint schemes! I happen to like that particular style best also. Case in point, check out my last three pics in this thread. (http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showpost.php?p=1859&postcount=1)

What do you think put the spurs to me? :D :cool:
(Or should I say the whips, you being a Zep fan and all? ;) :eek: )

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Let me guess...It had something to do with the fat ugly "chick"?



Yeah. They called it "hoggin'". Even I found that offensive.

[tbzep]

Hoggin is the way we go catfishin without tackle! It has lots of other names like grabbling and noodling too.

Hoggin for catfish! (http://www.catfishgrabblers.com/websites/grabblers.nsf/content/FD7699C4D894A0BA88256E4200656715?)

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

The finished product. One stripe is slightly wider than the others because I tried to eyeball them, but it's not that noticeable. Unless I get a chance at one of the small fields around here, I guess this one flies at NARAM. (Assuming that I get the chance.)

[tbzep]

Looks great, Bill! :D

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Thanks. Close-up it only looks decent, but perfection has never been a goal of mine. Good enough is fine in my book. :cool:

[CPMcGraw]

Bill,

Did you do a 1968 Black & White version of the Bertha? I can't remember if you showed us any pictures of that one...

The color photo with that one in the collection (rear cover shot) looks interesting...

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Bill,

Did you do a 1968 Black & White version of the Bertha? I can't remember if you showed us any pictures of that one...

The color photo with that one in the collection (rear cover shot) looks interesting...

This is the first one I've done, not counting my 2001 model. I've still got four or five to go, but they'll be winter projects. I wanted to start with this one because I had the balsa cone lying around.