DARS Model Rocket Launch and Fall Classic Contest - Frisco, Texas

DARS Model Rocket Launch and Fall Classic Contest Frisco, Texas - October 18, 2008
DARS conducted its monthly model rocket launch in Frisco, Texas, today. In conjunction, the annual Fall Classic contest was held. My first pic of the day was this rocket. I have no idea of the owner, but I think the rocket is an Astrobee.

	This rocket is not mine, either. Here you can see two of the motors coming up to pressure. I believe the third one didn't light and actually pulled free at liftoff. Fortunately, the laundry deployed without problem.

Here's a decent pic of my Estes K-40 Midget clone climbing away from the pads.

This 1.3x upscale Midget broke a booster fin, but otherwise had a great flight. And broken fins are common when staging. It's a simple matter to glue them back together.

Here's a pic of Tony and his rocket. I didn't get a liftoff pic, so Tony's mug will have to do :)

At left is yours truly posing next to yet another upscale Midget.

Below is a pic of it coming up to pressure while Don Magness - holding a baby squirrel - looks on.

This is yet another unknown rocket. But I love the pic.

The glider had a great RC flight to a landing just downwind of the range head while the booster found the power line. Fortunately, the power company was quick to respond and the bird was recovered in fine shape.

Left: Here's a good shot of Jason Ware's 2.5x upscale Orbital Transport just clearing the rod.

Below, it appears the parasite glider is pitched over to the right. Not sure if it was happenstance, or if it was being interntionally piloted to do that.

In this close-up, it's even clearer the glider is rolling right.

Right: Here's a shot showing Dave Schaefer's NCR Avatar climbing skyward.

Below is a close-up that looks really cool.

Dave has the ventral side painted red. It comes in handy when the bird is barely visible in the sky and you - the RC pilot - are trying to figure out which side is up.

Below, L-R: Dave Schaefer, Bill Gee and yours truly present respectively our 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize rockets in the 60s/70s division of the Fall Classic contest.

Bill is understandably proud of his Interceptor - it has Vern's signature on it.

Bob Melton won 1st prize in the Starship division with
this Saturn 1B from Sheri's Hot Rockets. And
he took Best in Show, too. Congratulations, Bob.

Makes it worth that long drive down here :)

Dave Schaefer took 2nd in Starship with this X-30.

Our awesome contest director, Gary Briggs, took third in Starship with this Scissor Wing Transport.

The UpScale Classic category was overwhelmed with this great big, ginormous Der Red Max belonging to Scott Cook.

Scott got his L3 with this rocket at LDRS this summer.

James Gartrell took 2nd in UpScale Classic with this fine specimen of the Hawks Hobby Super Mars Snooper.

Like Bill Gee, James got Vern to sign his rocket. And Gleda, too.

Stuart Powley took 3rd in UpScale Classic with this upscale Pegasus. And this pic was taken after Stuart lawn darted it in the field. It left the rod on a D12, and quickly weathercocked to a horizontal attitude. With little altitude it soon sunk behind some hay bales where it hit the ground, then deployed the chute.

But the field had recently been plowed, and the powdery soil made for a soft landing. Once the nosecone was cleaned off, it was good as new, with only a few scratches.

Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good :)

Thanks to Don Magness for running a great launch, and to Gary Briggs for organizing and directing the contest. It was a fantastic day, and everyone had a great time.
October 18, 2008