One of the largest launches of the year in the North East area is NERRF. Located in southern New York, it is about a five-hour drive for me. Even though there is travel, there is something special about spending a weekend at a large event like this. Clubs from around the region converge on one field, allowing us to socialize with people we normally only communicates with on forums. Rockets from micro size all the way up to large M-powered beasts can be seen everywhere. Vendors set up their booths offering goods like food, beverage, rockets, propellant, and more.
I made the decision to attend Nerrf 3 when I decided to attempt my level three certification. With support from Robert DeHate and Paul Robinson, I began construction of my modified PML Ultimate Endeavor. Construction started in April, and the June 22nd date was fast approaching. I was balancing my time with my work, and trying to get the beast done. Everything was done, documentation and all around midnight the morning of. Slept for about four to five hours, got up and finished loading the car. Got on the highway and started headed south.
I arrived at the launch site shortly after 9am. I spent a moment walking the line, seeing who was there and checking out the vendors. Then I set up camp and unloaded the rockets from my car. I only brought 4 rockets, and the things I needed to fly them. I brought my EZI-65, Ladyrobin, Magnum, and of course my Level 3 rocket; the Zookeeper. Once everything was set, I started loading rockets. It was a very windy day. Like me, most people were limiting what they wanted to fly. The wind was carrying the rockets to the other side of the treeline, and it was very tedious getting on the other side of the treeline.
I only made two flights on Friday. First I put together a 2 grain Green 38mm motor I dubbed a H200 and placed it in my LOC EZI-65. This motor operated at a higher pressure than normal cause the nozzle size I chose was on the smaller side. Apparently, I drilled the delay to short for that chamber pressure and the motor suffered a blow-by shortly after liftoff. Despite that, the flight was cool with its nice green flame. There was no damage to the rocket but the forward bulkhead in the motor was melted.
Then I flew my EZI again with a 54mm Red motor which I dubbed the I133. This motor uses a Kosdon 54mm Special and a short end-piece of Red Rhino propellant. After drilling a 5/8” core (largest drill bit I had on me), I cut the grain in half to increase surface area. The nozzle throat I had was on the large size, so I knew the motor will have a nice four to five second burn with a brillant red flame. The motor lit the first try, and the EZI lept off the pad with a nice red laser beam. The motor had a long burn as predicted, and provided an excellent boost. However, there was no motor ejection and the EZI was totaled when it kissed the dirt.
Saturday was calmer but still windy. I decided to go ahead and attempt my level three, and I wanted to get if off the ground before I do anything else. With Robert DeHate’s help, I got the AMW M1350 White Wolf loaded in my case, and he assisted me with getting the rocket ready. He also provided a parachute since the chute I was promised never arrived. Once everything was ready, I headed up to the Away cell. We slid the rocket onto the rail, and after turning on the camcorder, the rocket was raised into launch position. After arming the electronics, charges, and motor, we walked back to the flight line.
After waiting ten minutes for our launch window, the LCO announced the rocket, wish me luck, counted down, and pushed the button. The M1350 came to life with a flash of bright light and I saw the Zookeeper majestically rise off the ground trailing a huge white flame and smoke. I briefly lost sight of it, but soon I could see the tracking smoke from the motor. It was hard to tell if it was still climbing or coming back down. The I saw something which had to be apogee deployment. I followed it down till I lost sight of it. Eventually I was able to spot her, the chute has not come out yet, and it was time. Then it was beyond time. Then I saw it approaching the tree line. Nothing. It fell behind the trees and everyone moaned, feeling my pain, knowing that my large and expensive project was most likely badly damaged.
About a half hour later, after traveling the long narrow dirt roads to get to the other side of the tree line, I got to see the damage. The camera section was totaled, including the camera. The fincan was also damaged. Two fins was knocked out of alignment, which caused the body to bulge.
The electronics seemed ok. The Pico altimeter lost power, but the G-Wiz reported 7,553 feet. Both Apogee charges went, but both Main Chute charges never went off. Not sure what happened. Post check up showed all the wires were where they were supposed to be. I have a suspicion that the G-Wiz did not function properly judging by the data I downloaded from altimeter after the flight.
Several hours after retrieving the Zookeeper, during the last half hour of the waiver, I was trying to launch my Ladyrobin with a J370 Green Gorilla motor. Not so much luck with that flight either. First problem came right after I connected the clips to the igniter. One of the lunch lugs came unattached. With quick reflexes I caught the rocket. Not that big of a deal with 20 minutes left of the waiver. Plenty of time to make a repair. I Went back to my tent, drilled new holes, reattached the buttons, went out again and got assigned a different pad.
I noticed a problem right away. The stand off was a threaded pipe where the threads were on a taper. With the weight of the rocket, the taper was pushing the rocket away from the rail, which I was afraid will cause the lugs to pop off again. So the Pad Manager assisted me by wrapping tape around the rail. I was just about ready to go back to the flight line when the tape ripped, the rocket dropped, and the rail button popped off. It is now ten minutes till waiver is up! I immediately borrowed a pocket knife and screw driver and made a quick fix. It was four minutes till the end of waiver when the J370GG roared to life, sending the Ladyrobin skyward with a brilliant Green flame. Somehow the shock cord between the two sections separated, and the lower section was severely damaged.
Saturday was over, and three of the four rockets I brought were no longer flyable. Tim Lear from Wildman Hobbies was offering LOC Lil’ Dithers for 50% off to participate in the Crazy Wildman Dragrace. Nerrfs event was Lil’Dithers with G77 Redlines. I missed out on the event, but I decided to build it in my hotel room so I have something else to fly Saturday besides my Magnum. I also decided to rename the rocket the “Hotel Express.”
Sunday was a much better day for flying! Almost no wind all day, and best yet, the two flights I had were successful! I started the day with my "Hotel Express.” I decided to fly this with another one of my custom made motors. A 2-grain, 38/120 G75-8 Blue motor! It was a perfect flight and recovery.
Then I started prep my Super Magnum with an AMW K475WW but then I noticed the time. It is amazing how fast time flys. I sat the Magnum aside and went to do my Duty. I was thinking the range will close at 5, but it turned out to be 4, and it was approaching 3:30! I mentioned that I have a rocket in the middle of prep, and a nice lady let me leave RSO a bit early to finish prepping my rocket.
I want to thank they guys for letting me launch the Magnum. My tent was a good distance from the RSO table. I had to pass messages up and down the tent line because they said that they were closing the range! I shouted to the nearest person, "Let them know I got another bird coming!" They passed the message down the line. Then I heard over the PA “Please communicate what size rod you need!” Then I shouted "Rail!" "What size?” “Standard!” They left a standard pad up for me and it was not long till my Magnum took off with its K475, reached 3000 feet, and had a near perfect recovery.
| Pictures :) | |||
| I am just about ready to assemble the AMW M1350 White Wolf motor for my Level three certification flight. |
| Looking at the timer setup for a pyramid stlye rocket flight (unknown). |
| An Aerotech Sumo takes off with a H128-10W motor. |
| My Ladyrobin climbs higher with an AWM J370 GG motor. |
| My Magnum lofting into the sky with the power of the K475 White Wolf motor. |
| The K475 near burnout. |
| My Magnum underneath its patched up parachute. |
| A Nike Smoke takes off with an Aerotech M1939. (PYH)`` |
| A small diameter rocket takes off with an Animal Motor Works M3000 Super Tiger motor. |
| That M3000 Super Tiger is Super Fast! |
| A high flying rocket lifts off with a J480 Blue Baboon Motor. |
| The AMW J480BB is my favorite 54/1050 load, so I enjoyed this high flying flight with that motor. |
| Robert DeHate launches his M Motor Eater with an AMW L1080BB motor. |
| The AMW 75/3500 motor has no issues lofting Roberts rocket. |
| Select Videos from Nerrf 2007 |
| Videos hoseted by MySpaceTV.com |
| The onboard video of my Zookeeper with an AMW M1350 White Wolf Rocket Motor! Click Here to view Video. |
| My Zookeeper take off with an AMW M1350 White Wolf Rocket Motor! The ground view of my Level 3 Certification attempt. Click Here to view Video. |
| My LOC Lil' Ditter takes off with a G motor I designed. Click Here to view Video. |
| An Aerotech Sumo puts in a great flight with an Aerotech H128. Click Here to view Video. |
| A rocket flies with Animal Motor Works J480 Blue Baboon motor. Click Here to view Video. |
| Drag race of several LOC Lil Diter with Aerotech G77 Redlines. Click Here to view Video. |
| A cool rocket takes off with the Awesome Power of an Animal Motor Works M3000 ST rocket motor! Click Here to view Video. |
| My Super Black Magnum flies with an AMW K475WW motor. Click Here to view Video. |
Photos by Print Your Hobby and Douglas Gardei. Used with Permission.
Videos by Douglas Gardei
Please e-mail me if you want a copy of any video file.
My Zookeeper takes off with the powerful M1350 White Wolf motor. (PYH)
AMW M1350 at full thrust. (PYH)
I love how big that flame is! (PYH)
M1350 was a perfect choice for the Zookeeper! (PYH)
I just love White motors :). (PYH)
Zookeeper's M1350 near burnout.(PYH)