May Rocket 2009 Launch
Up first was the Mean Machine. A rocket Cole gave me for my birthday. We attempted to launch this rocket earlier in the year, but forgot one of the needed pieces. So it goes without saying there was a lot of anticipation to watch this rocket fly. The Mean Machine was launched on a D12-3 for its first flight and flew flawlessly. We look forward to flying it again and again in the future.
Next up was Connor’s Triton X. Launched on a C6-3 this large rocket suffered a little parachute damage which will be easily repaired. Another of Connor’s rockets, The Sprint, was launched on a B6-4. This little rocket performed admirably almost landing next to the original launch pad.
Cole’s Eagle Boost Glider was flown on a C6-3. This was the third flight for the Eagle Boost Glider and it suffered extensive damage. The rear fin folded upward almost forming a “L”. While the forward fin was scorched from the engine blast. Though attempts will be made to repair it, I’m not holding out much hope. In the end, I will most likely replace this for him.
Another birthday present, from Connor, was the Liquidator. This rocket has a payload section to carry, you guessed it, liquid. Though Connor wanted to load it up with Gatorade, I was a little afraid and decided against a payload on the first flight. Like the Mean Machine, we launched this one on a D12-3 too. It flew so well, that it landed upright on its fins.
Cole launched one more rocket, his Alpha III, which was given to him by SoAR in January 2009. He flew it on an A8-3 and outside of a tangled parachute this was a successful flight.
We concluded the afternoon with the launch of one of five Colonial Viper clones on a C6-5. This was not a successful flight as the shock split in two due to the engine heat. Fortunately the body and nose cone were recovered without any damage.
