Subject: [LAUNCH REPORT more taste!... but less filling!] MTMA #2! Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 01:32:52 GMT From: blankreg@nospam.ever.net (Hilty Information Systems) Organization: APK Net Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets The Mantua Township Missle Agency once again wowed northern Mantua Township (Portage County, NE Ohio) with our _amazing_ rocketry skills. Launch number two was subtitled, in direct contrast with LDRS, as SRSRS '99! That'd be the (S)mall and (R)elatively (S)afe (R)ocket (S)how! What can I say... we're suckers for acronyms! Our intrepid band of cutting edge rocketeers assembled once again at the Pichan sod farm (and neighbor's portions mostly used for recovery) for another _phenominal_launch. Notably absent were Mssrs. Miller, and Mikush (wassup you guys?), and we _really_missed their additions to the show. In attendance were Mssrs. Straka, Recktenwald, Levison, and Hilty. Weather was _beautiful_ with clear blue sky and cumulus clouds. Temps were in the mid 70's, and very low humidty. Winds began from the N, to NE, 7-10 mph, and, as the afternoon progressed, pretty much surprised us with each gust, circumnavigating the compass over the remainder of the launch. Once again, things were moving fast enough that I'll have to report by rocketeer... Mark Recktenwald started his day off with a downscale of an Estes Tornado, aptly named the "Microburst" which flew quite nicely on a 1/4A3-3T. Paint job on said model was quite interesting, with Mark choosing "Extra Crispy" as a final finish. Up next was a standard Estes Tornado on an A8-3, which made some amazing altitude, and all pieces were retrieved. The kids were able to "recruit" some insect friends as astronauts (Mr. Bennett? sorry, couldn't resist... like... IMHO :) for a ride in an Estes Hijax flying a nasty B4-4. Payload was 1 caterpillar, 1 cricket, 4 pill bugs, and 5 ants... Nice arcing flight to the North, and nominal recovery. Upon inspection, we found _all_ insects demanding to leave the payload bay, with the exception of the cricket which was *dazed* by sheer G's, and the caterpillar who had migrated into the nosecone (burnout deceleration?). Mark launched his Estes AMRAAM on its maiden flight with a B6-2. Perfectly nominal flight. He upped the stakes on the AMRAAM with a C6-3, but experienced a unique NC separation due to maybe an overly energetic ejection, in combination with a typical Estes shock cord. Tornado made another flight on a _vintage_ ('76) 1/2A6-2 donated by Mr. Straka. _Absolutely_ perfect flight! As our NOTAM time approached, Mark's Estes Shadow (Shadow 5) took off on a single D12-3 for a _low_, _slow_ arcing flight directly into our favorite sycamore tree. Did it _even_ eject Mark? Mark with the help of a few spotters (like they could *really* slow him down if he fell) was able to climb out and retrieve the rocket with a few dents, and dings. CR4 was up on an F50-4T for an absolutely perfect flight with a brand new camera (ditch water shorted the original.)! Upon inspection, it was noted that 15 frames we're clicked off! Later, Mark fired CR4 again on an F25-4T for what looked to be a decent lawn dart, but it ejected successfully, and was retrieved from the "field of thorns [tm]*". Mark again fired the CR4 (cameraless) on an NCR F60-6 Darkstar for a perfectly straight boost with a _way_ kewl smoke trail, and terminating with Mark catching the camera section. Mark's final flight of the day was and Estes Seahawk on a D12-(something). Lower section of the rocket was recovered on our field, but the upper section was able to catch the wind, and thermal its way almost to the other side of the "field of thorns [tm]*". Mark was able to track it down, and recover it , albeit with a bit of blood loss... Wow! So much to say... so little bandwidth... We continue... Mr. Straka had, well, sort of an *interesting* afternoon! Chuck's first flight was the famed Astron E-Roc on a D12-7. Beautiful boost to the North, with a perfect ejection. Recovery was dangerously close to the E-Roc's favorite pole building tho'! Alpha III on an A8-3 was up next for a perfect boost with a recovery in the "field of thorns [tm]*" Chuck didn't seem to be cut up too bad!... so far so good! Solar Sailer II was up on a B4-4, nice flight, America went up on an A8-3, but there was a problem with the nose cone, and it ended up landing hard, cracking a fin. Chuck loaded his C6-0, C6-7 Commanche up, and ZING! Wow! All parts recovered! Sailer went up again on a B4-4, but ended up with a "chute ball" after the chute melted. No damage on recovery tho'! Chuck had been chomping at the bit since NYPOWER to fly his upscale Mars Lander. Our NOTAM was in effect, and he and Mark took their time loading the rocket, and its F50-4W on the pad. At this point, we had an audience of about 10 people, and the neighbors had walked out into their backyard's to observe the glorious event. Countdown, and ignition, and the F50 burst to life (and _that's_ an understatement!). The Lander did fine for about 10 feet off the rod, but then cranked over, and became ballistic. It flew at an altitude of about 50 feet, and and ejected about 20 feet off the ground around 100 yards to the North! Unfortunately, the chutes didn't inflate, and Lander hit hard enough to be clearly audible from the rangehead! OUCH! Hopefully you can rebuild it Chuck! Now, after the Lander incident, Chuck was figuring "Oh well... What the hell!",and built up a FULL STACK Commanche! We're talking D12-0, to C6-0, to C6-7! After assembling enough "eyes" on the ground crew to track the various stages, the countdown was issued, and the bird lifted off! The only thing I could compare that flight to was the last launch in October Sky! That thing just went up.. and up... and UP! Just an _incredibly_ long white smoke trail! Of course, after the sustainer fired, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground and try and track the second stage booster... which, obvously, I couldn't find in the binocs at that point... Eventually, all stages were recovered, and Commanche will live to fly again! BTW - Chuck, MTMA #1, you left the Indians hat.... which you got back... my present for MTMA #2 was your display stand... don't worry, I've got it... I'll get it to you at MTMA #3... wonder what my present will be then! Mr. Levison, coming from Youngstown, and making a wrong turn, was touring southern Portage County when all of the above occured, but did arrive in time with Ben, and Ian in tow, to get in a few flights! Bruce sent up Mach 12 on a B4-2 to start things off. Nice flight, and recovery. Fireflash went up next on a C6-3, and, I believe it seperated, but all parts were recovered. Pushing the envelope on his final flight was Bandit on a C6-5! Bandit experienced a seperation at ejection, and I think Bruce lost both parts. Don't worry Bruce! MTMA #3 isn't too far away! The author was once again to pop off a few too (rockets doggonit... not beers!)! First up was Custom Serval (newly decaled, and clearcoated) on a B6-4 to check wind. Perfect flight. Serval was up again later on with a C6-7, with a heartstopping arc over apogee, and ejection. No zipper with the kevlar shock cord. Estes Sidewinder made its maiden flight on a C6-3, with a single chute configuration. Perfect flight, but I thought it'd spin more. I had planned on flying the Sidewinder on a D21, but had a 7 second delay, instead of a 4, so no go. Custom Matra was up on a D12-5 for a fine boost, and a long excursion through the "field of thorns [tm]*" for recovery. I believe I told Chuck that I'd straighten up the rod a bit as it was calm... well, it wasn't calm "up there"! Estes Heliocopter flew on a B6-4 for a perfect flight, and all parts recovered. Custom Bullet flew next on a D12-5... boy, both Matra, and Bullet are spectacular fliers! Estes Yellow Jacket was launched, with streamer recovery on a C6-3. Recovered by my son and another boy in the "field of thorns [tm]*"... bit more blood flowing now... You'd think I'd have my angle right by now! :) After Chuck had "gone out on a limb" (pun intended Mark! :) with the Mars Lander, and the Commanche, it was time to get an E15-4W into Phoenix. Ladies and Gentlemen... please "DO NOT" mess with D12's, and the Estes Phoenix!... This rocket was _designed_ for nothing less than an E! :) Phoenix tore off the pad like its "butt was on fire" (oh yeah... it was!)! Beautiful boost up and over to the North. Perfect ejection of the 24" nylon chute, and recovered by the 8yo with nary a cracked fin! WOW! I only had one SU left, and decided to keep it for later. Sidewinder followed yet again on another C6-3... nominal flight, and Big Bertha flat out _cooked_ on C5-3's twice! Finale was Custom Bullet again on a D12-5. My D's were mixed 3B2's, and 4B4's... no apparent ejection problems! I think we batted 1000 on copperheads! Subway, fixin's, snacks, beer, and chatter followed at my house afterwards! MTMA #3 is slated for either 8/21, or 8/28, we're still thinking... :) HERE'S TO THE MTMA! LONG SHALL WE BE FLYING! * The "field of thorns [tm]" is roughly a 15 acre field that contains a number of "nifty" steep ridges, or troughs (depending on if you are still standing, or have fallen :), cleverly hidden with armpit deep weeds. Said weeds contain roughly 75% thorny thistle. An *interesting*, and *challenging* area to recover rockets. -ed. tah Tod A. Hilty NAR #72099 Hilty Information Systems "I'm going to put the wheels of the bus back on... just in case" - BlankReg, Max Headroom: 20 Minutes Into the Future "I speak for myself _and_ my corporation! Deal with it!" - blankreg - remove nospam.ever, and replace with apk for reply