View Single Post
  #24  
Old 09-18-2020, 11:45 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by snaquin
You guys have all got me beat. Since I first started flying rockets in the late 60’s to present day I don’t think I’ve ever had a rocket that has made more than about a dozen flights. Those estimated twelve flights were with my old LOC Lil’ Nuke that I just couldn’t seem to kill. I built it around 1988 and retired it when I gave it to my son in 1995 which also made it my oldest flyer in my fleet with about 7 years of service. It bears three different paint jobs in the pictures over the years. I added a payload section to it to fly an AltAcc altimeter for a while. It spent a month on those power lines in the picture and was recovered when we returned to that field again for the next launch. The lift off shot is from 1988 on an F41-9W before AeroTech really perfected the white lighting propellant a nice white flame with sparks but not much smoke. It was flown on as little as a D12-3 and as much as an H70 at an LDRS which stripped half the shroud lines off the chute but didn’t zipper the body tube. I also used the largest variety of motors in this rocket than any other in my fleet ... Estes D12’s, FSI F100’s and Crown, Vulcan & AeroTech.

That was my beater rocket. I wish I still had that Lil’ Nuke I’d still be flying it if I did.

I have two Lil' Nukes, one was the first rocket I used epoxy on and hasn't flown since 2002. Built that one as straight as I could. The other one is an upscaled Estes Ninja and that one hasn't flown since 2005. Both should fly in the cornfield this fall/winter.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote