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  #1  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:04 AM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Default Bless me Father, for I have sinned...

...it has been well over a year since I've flown a rocket.

Anyway, my penance was to take my 6 year old grandson out this afternoon to launch a few rockets.

We threw together a Estes Blue Ninja that I wisely started yesterday, knowing that Fischer has the attention span of a newt. All we had to do today was glue the fins on and tie the nose cone and parachute together (Note: What's with the fuzzy kite string Estes is using now for shroud lines? Not good).

Other than that, it's not a bad kit. BT60, 32.5" tall, will take a bit of abuse. Flies on C11's and D12's.

I also took along a Fat Boy, Alpha, Estes Little Joe, and a Centuri Groove Tube that came as a built -up with some other stuff I picked up on ebay a couple of years ago.

We drove over to Liberty High School in Hillsboro. I've never flown thre before, but I had scoped it out tha last time I brought the car in for inspection (the school is right beside the DEQ). It was smaller than I remembered, but there wasn't much wind and Fischer was getting antsy, so off we went. ( I should note here that the last time Fischer watched me launch a rocket about 3 years ago, he ran and hid behind his mom).

First up was the Ninja on a C11-3. Fischer covered his ears, I gave the countdown and pushed the button. Lift off was slow, nice and straight, but the rocket seemed to struggle a bit getting up to altitude. The chute came out, and Fischer was jumping up and down, yelling, and running off after the rocket.

Next up was the Groove Tube on a B4-4. This was my first flight with it, and maybe it's first flight ever. It's built pretty well, tho the paint job is typical of a 14 year old. Flew very well, almost straight up. Recovery was bu streamer. I had to hop a fence to get it back.

We flew the Ninja 3 more times on C11-3's. The 2nd and 3rd flights were perfect - good strong boost, with ejection just after apogee. The 4th flight seemed to pop the chute early.

All in all a fun couple of hours, and hopefully it won't be a nother year before I get out again.
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  #2  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:05 AM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SEL
...it has been well over a year since I've flown a rocket.



Oops ... for some reason the pics didn't attach
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  #3  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SEL
Oops ... for some reason the pics didn't attach



Let's try that again...
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  #4  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:10 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SEL
Oops ... for some reason the pics didn't attach


That's okay, try again. I've got all night.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
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  #5  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:12 AM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum
That's okay, try again. I've got all night.



There y'go...
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  #6  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:14 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
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Originally Posted by SEL
Let's try that again...


I like #3. You and I have the same ideas on shock cord length. The Groove Tube pic is also cool, especially being an original as it is.
I've got a few flights that I hope to get in this week for an EMRR comparison article. It actually looks like the weather might hold up for me. Great time of year to fly around here.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper

Last edited by A Fish Named Wallyum : 09-06-2005 at 12:58 AM.
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  #7  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:17 AM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum
I like #3. You and I have the same ideas on shock cord length. The Groove Tube pic is also cool, especially being an original as it is.


Yup, I pretty much doubled what came with the kit.

The Groove Tube can be very easily cleaned up, I just have to get around to it.
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  #8  
Old 09-06-2005, 12:34 AM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum
I like #3. You and I have the same ideas on shock cord length. The Groove Tube pic is also cool, especially being an original as it is.


One thing I forgot to mention, as evidenced in #3, was the sprinklers. We kept having to move as the timers shut them off in one area and start them up in another. Luckily, none of them turned on directly under us.
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