Saturday, May 25th was a very hot day when the die-hard rocketeers gathered together at the Tewksbury field for another CMASS sport launch. The temperature was predicted to reach 100 degrees. A heat advisory was issued on the e-mail list, advising flyers to bring plenty of water or sports drinks. So I made a couple trips to Wal-Mart and bought an eight-pack of Gatorade, and a couple packs of B6-4 motors. I also made sure I brought my goofy hat, complete with a bandanna to protect my neck from the scorching sun. At the launch, it was not surprising to see how many pop-up canopies were set up. Even Jim Flis had his set up, which he usually only does at larger launches. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, but there was a low ceiling… a ceiling of humidity. Literally, only a few hundred feet up (or away) the rocket would cloak into the blue sky.
During the day I had a total of eight flights. I would prep, launch, and recover a rocket, then spend a few minutes under Jim’s tent to rest a bit. This way, I did not get overwhelmed by the heat and humidity. First off the pad was my Semroc Lil’Ivan which flew great on a B6-4 motor. I can’t wait till I get that rocket painted. It really is a good flyer. Then I got out my Super Tube. Jim made a comment that this was my “Old Reliable” because I have launched it so many times. I love this rocket and how it flies, and the best part… I got it for free. However, this time the Super Tube got some damage. The ejection on the D12-3 was not enough to push the parachute out. This will be an easy fix, because all I have to do is replace the forward section of BT-80 tubing. Jim asked me what happened. I commented “You know how the ejection charges in Estes motors sometimes have extra powder in them? Well, this is the motor they got the power from.” Jim got a chuckle from that.
My Triskelion seems to have some sort of Jinx on it, simply because it always breaks one of its fin tips upon landing. Todays flight on a B6-4 was not exception. I really do like the Triskelion. It is an Easy Build, and Flies great! No problem, a little wood glue, and she’ll be ready to fly again in a couple hours. I the put my Semroc Astro-1 up on a B6-4 which landed in the weeds in front of the impenetrable woods.
Next on the pad was my Aerotech Mustang with an Estes D12-3 motor. These smaller Aerotech rockets fly very well on Estes D and E motors. Perfect flight. Then I got out another “Old Reliable,” my Quest Quick Kit Aries. I always fly this rocket at Tewksbury. It’s dirty, its beat up, and I keep getting it back. I also have a ring-chute in it. I used a 16” FlisKits chute with the 12” spill hole in it. Another perfect flight with a B6-4, and the ring chute looks so cool.
Then my Warp 12 rocket took off with a C6-5 motor. Even though this rocket is one of those Estes plastic ready to fly rockets, it does have a nice flight. Its weight gives the rocket a nice slow and safe flight with a C motor that is good for demos. My final flight of the day was my FlisKits Triskelion in two stage mode. I loaded the Triskelion with a 1/2A6-2, and attached a B6-0 using my Echostar booster. Since the Tri had a motor hook, I could not tape the motors together. I should of put some vent holes in the booster because the stage blew off without igniting the sustainer. There was no damage to the Triskelion. Even the fin tips stayed on! Wohoo!
