Model Rockets, Part 2
Helen's Polaris is selected to go first...
It looks good on the pad, and flew great, but landed on the neighbor's roof. It seems we misjudged the wind and Helen pays the price.
Dave's space plane is next. It flew well, but a C6-5 gave it too much delay and it got horizontal before the chute opened. Also, the dual chutes failed to deploy, so we had a tumble recovery. On grass this proved no great challenge.
Fat Boy was next. Another great flight was had. We felt like we'd dialed in the wind this time.
Here's the recovery crew coming back with our rocket. Parachute was a little bit singed, so I resolved to use more wadding next time...
Bobby readies the Big Rage for its fateful launch.
The crowd counts down, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
Swoosh! The rocket is away. The flight is looking straight and true--the best trajectory of the day!
Clean parachute opening. It started acting funny though. It actually rose on thermals twice, which caused it to be carried much further than prior launches.
Here, we see a problem developing...
The rocket finally met its demise high in this tree.
Artem trying to get it down. He would have succeeded, but the neighbor became hysterical and insisted it be abandoned.
A sad demise for an otherwise perfect flight...
Dave now readies his own rocket...
Neighbor kids were more than willing to assist with recovery efforts...
Rocket recovery is a dirty business...