Subject: [LAUNCH REPORT] MTMA #6 - "Scorch the Snow" (LONG) Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 17:07:06 -0500 From: Mark Recktenwald Organization: http://web.raex.com/~markndeb/ Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets The Mantua Township Missile Agency (MTMA) got together yesterday (Sunday, January 23, 2000) at the snow-covered Summit County Fairgrounds for a "Klondike" launch. The launch field, part of the fairground's grass parking area, is a mowed field about 25 acres in size, with over 100 acres of former farmland to the north. The weather wasn't exactly ideal for rocketry, but it was the warmest day in about a week with colder weather on its way, so we couldn't have been luckier. It was about 20 degrees F at 10:00am and may have climbed all the way to 25 by the time we left. Fortunately, the winds (out of the SSW) weren't too bad. Wind speed was about 5 to 10 mph early and picked up to 10 to 15 mph as the day progressed. The ceiling was also a bit low, so "low and slow" was the order of the day. The launch team consisted of Barry Lynch, Chuck Straka, Randy Miller, Stan Mikush, Tod Hilty, and myself. More new members were added this time: Dan Ledenican and his son Mitchell. Bruce Levison was absent. Not too many family members braved the elements, just the older sons. Once again, the new guy brought some "bigguns" (note to prospective future MTMA members: this is not a requirement!). Dan Ledenican brought several large rockets and sent up his PML Ariel on an H73J-S for his Level 1 certification flight. Congratulations, Dan! I recorded video of his launch and will post it to ABMR later this week. We had two interesting CATOs yesterday. Two Estes D12-7s suffered identical failures where the propellant slug was shot upward through the rocket body just after launch. Ironically, both occurred in Estes Maniacs, one belonging to Dan and Mitchell, and the other to the author. Neither kit was damaged, although the author's launch pad deflector shield was seriously dented when the empty engine casing was forcefully ejected out the tail end of the rocket. Barry flew the following: His scratch-built "Mace", an AMRAAM-looking rocket, on a G40-10W with some great smoke and fire; an NCR Big Brute on a G35-7 Econojet; and a LOC Viper IV on 2 G55-15s. One of the G55s started late for a cool parallel-staging effect. Unfortunately, the staging also put the rocket into the clouds and it was lost. Chuck (kidless for the first time) soloed on: The itty-bitty Estes Gnome on a 1/4A3-3T to start it all off (the plastic streamer actually unrolled!); an Estes Phoenix on a D12-3 that had a fin knocked loose on the snow landing (go figure - Tod has had his come in twice without its chute with no damage); and an Estes Sidewinder on a C6-5. Chuck used two 12" nylon chutes on the 'Winder and this was the furthest I've ever seen the two pieces land, but still within about 100 feet. Dan and his son launched a PML Ariel on an H73J-S for Dan's Level 1 certification. The Ariel came in not more than 300 feet down wind from the range - perfect damage-free recovery. Dan and his son Mitchell tried to put up a Maniac next; but the motor CATOed. Last for them was an Aerotech Mustang on an F20-7 Econojet. I love the sound of that motor! Randy and his son helped-out on recovery for Barry, Dan, and Stan and only managed one flight, their LOC Graduator on an F23-7 Black Max Econojet (gotta get me some of those). Stan's launched his LOC Vulcanite on a G35-7 Econojet, and hung it in the very top of a tree just upwind from the range. His last flight was a modified NCR Archer on an H180W-M - beautiful rocket and flight! Tod and his oldest son flew the following: An Estes Black Brant on a D12-7 that lost it's streamer but still managed a soft snow landing. That rocket just drifted in sideways! After copperhead troubles, he put up his Estes Phoenix on an E28-4T (this time his chute stayed on). Last for Tod was his Custom Matra on a D12-5. The author and his son's flights of the day were: Oldest son's scratch "Bubba" on a B6-4, scratch "CR4" (sans camera) on an F62-4 DarkStar, scratch "Bubba" on a B6-4 again, and the Estes Maniac on a D12-7 (CATO). We only logged 19 launches total. It was just too hard to prep in the cold and the recovery runs were a bit rougher slogging through the snow. Prep time was also increased for the small birds to switch-out the Estes plastic chutes for Nylon. Even though it was cold, this mid-winter rocket "fix" was just what the doctor ordered. I think we'll all be able to make it till March now. Then again, maybe we'll have an unseasonably warm February... -- Mark Recktenwald Member MTMA Stow, Ohio