Click Here for photos of the December 2008 Launch

The last launch of 2008 had some lofty dreams. A steam rocket and a video camera were slated for launch day but things didn’t go quite as planned. There was quite a bit of wind that kept the video gear on the ground and the steamie didn’t achieve launch pressure. Other than that it was a pretty good day. My Gar rocket impaled itself on a rebar stake during recovery and Bernie had a couple of real nice flights. The video capture wasn’t good enough for a mini movie so there a only a photo collection.  see above

If you have a LEUP, nows the time to get your paperwork in order for your annual BATF visit.

With the construction industry tanking here in Florida, times are tough. But out in New Mexico there is a new project that just got approval - Spaceport America -> read about it here

Like all these things it won’t be just the spaceport or Virgin Atlantic needing help there will be lots of other businesses and opportuities for rocket enthusiasts.

Here I was whining about aerotech’s new single use I motors with a list price of over $100.00 when I came across another single use rocket motor for sale. This one is isn’t advertised on Rocketry online, in fact I think I may be the only place pikers like us will find it in the news. This one is in the Heritage Auction Galleries “best of the best” holidiay collection

For the person who truly has it all: your own 110-foot Atlas rocket!
This is one of the very few such missiles in private hands, and now it can be in yours. It came from the extensive collection of long time NASA research engineer Charles Bell, liquidated some years ago, and properly de-accessioned by NASA. The engines and some of the sensitive inner workings have been removed, and the interior structure has been reinforced to maintain shape and strength for display. The rocket is mounted on its own original trailer, used both for transport and, if you need to leave the planet in a hurry, for launching. Both have recently enjoyed cosmetic restoration and are ready for display. The price quoted includes safe delivery anywhere in the continental  United States.
$395,000

Fuel and launch gantry sold separately - bah! And like those wwII machine guns the barsterds have decomished it - removed the firing pin if you will. STILL, at 110 feet long it is the same length as my front yard so it would just fit.

December’s launch was a breezy day with just a few flights. The “BEAST” steam rocket had some on pad issues and never achieved launch pressure. I look forward to seeing one of the smaller pleviously flight tested versions perform.

The farmers were watering their winter crops with the huge water cannons at the time we arrived. Planting was only on the east end of the field and with a wind out of the north we had plenty of room or so I thought. After they had finished and left for the day I launched they “GAR” and it landed over in the field filled with 4 foot long iron re-bar tomato stakes. The center body tube landed over one of the vertical metal sticks banging up one edge.

Tom’s and Bernie’s flights went off nicely. hopefully the wind will abate in January and we’ll get to see Paul’s video rocket do its thing.

January is coming up and we’ll need to pay TRA $100.00 to maintain the charter so donations are welcome. Maybe in the new year I can put some of these old body tubes and such on the site for sale.  Maybe some other stuff as well.

Pictures later…

Did I say the sixth I meant the 7th - my bad

Launch day is fast approaching in a couple of weeks. I hope the weather will be a bit less breezy than November’s launch. My Magnum got beat up pretty bad with it being dragged across the field. I had to trim an inch off the booster when I got hom and and considering repainting at least the fins due to abrasion damage.

We look forward to be treated to the visual spectacle of a steam rocket to be launched by Bernie. Two gallons of water heated to 500 psi should but to rest any kiddies with a bicycle pump and pop bottle tumble recovery water blast rockets.

The video is of Tom’s upscaled Este’s Sprint.  His was the only video because my battery wasn’t charged. Other than a few snaps it wouldn’t stay on long enough to shoot movies.

Note to self - charge the camera the day before.- may need a new battery soon; might as well get a 2 gig stick too. A few pics can be seen here

If you are looking for something a little different you might like the 1st annual Mako’s Warbird Show coming on Nov. 15 & 16 to 22701 SW 248 Street. Mako’s Jet Club is a group of guys with miniature turbine jet engine planes and other unmanned flying contraptions. Their website www.makosrcjetclub.com has photos and videos of their planes and projects and previous fun fly events. Entry donation is $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.

Weather forcasting has indicated ground speed winds in the 15-20 knots for Sunday. Even thought the safety code says above 20 we are going to wait for calmer weather.  If the club would like to set a specific launch weekend like other clubs, I’d like to have that input.

The weather people have predicted strong easterly winds on Sunday.

Maybe next week will bring calmer weather. Folks with pictures or videos should send them to me or send me a link if you post them on the web so we can all enjoy them during these times.

July’s launch was actually a very nice day out in the field. We witnessed a couple of unconventional rockets that worked excellently.  The Pyramid is actually more like three sides of a cube and the Flying Saucer was a octagon. See plans here Both worked flew spectacularly and required no additional recovery devices. We appreciate Marc’s showing us something other than a fire arrows. He put up a couple of clean, complete videos from that day and I thought I downloaded them to incorporate into the video but I couldn’t find them.  The link I had went 404 before I began making the video.