XRAA 6-5-2004

	XRAA 6-5-2004
As we left the shop the radio reported 85F heading for a high of 111F! But a good crowd of brave souls showed up making for a great launch. Don Alexander brought his new test stand and test fired several motors. A bunch of flights by several flyers, some we even got pictures of!

Jim Rutkowski's new rocket named "Melvin" is made from two water barrels, a stainless steel salad bowl, 12" sono tube and 3/8" plywood, very unique! The 95 pound beast was carried to the pad by Glen, Jim, Marty and Ed by it's carry handles!


Melvin clearing the rail with much noise and flinging of dirt on his way to 3,788 feet power by a 5" three grain KNO3/Sorbitol motor. What a way to waste 20LB of propellant! Here is a video of the launch. Melvin 6-5-04.wmv 1.5 Megs.


There was much discussion of stability, but in the end the 10lb weight stayed on the bench and he went rail straight up. At apogee the G-Wiz LC800 popped the 28' chute and it streamered in for a bit before the chute opened and deposited him neatly on the road standing up! Great show!


Marty Gunnerson's "Double Dee" going to 6401' on a 75 mm 5 grain, perfect dual deploy handled by it's G-Wiz LC800.


Kevin Patterson's 10" tube fin flying to 4814' on the other 5" 3 grain motor. It was recovered by a G-Wiz MC and Sky Angle Cert3 chute with a new slider design that didn't work, stayed at the top of the lines. The rocket had minimal damage to one fin and will fly again.


One of Don Alexander's rockets flying on a not so green 54 mm APCP motor for a great flight. Bruce O'Brian's Bull Pup going very fast on one of his 54 mm APCP motors