I still lurk from time to time to keep up with everyones progress... Here is an update of what I have been busy doing. Here are just a few pics of a rocket I plan to fly at Southern Thunder for my Tripoli Level III certification...

It began in 2004 here at the Rocketry Forum...

Specs:

Kit: BlackHawk R&D AGM-78 Standard ARM
Dia: 5.5"
Length: 87"
Motor Mount: 3" (76mm)
Weight" 45-50 lbs loaded
Motor: M1882 Loki White
Blue w/ White Fins and Strakes

Way cool. What is that Southern Thunder all about? Will there be a bunch of large rockets like yours launching? I might grab the kids and head up to Manchester if so.

Craig

Yep, lots of rockets and lots of kids. It's the funnest rocketry event this side of the Pecos

Here's some pics of a previous Southern Thunder

Thanks for the fill-in Todd...

Craig, come on out, it is quite the event. Bring sin screen and insect propellant and stay a while.

Interestingly enough, Todd posted a pic of me loading a motor into a large silver & red rocket...that rocket is one in the same with the rocket I posted above. It is the original rocket I flew which failed a Level III attempt at ST2005. I spent the last 5-months reworking the rocket to it's current state.

Here is a direct link to video of the failed attempt:

http://www.2020vertical.com/media/st...b/johnniep.wmv

The rocket launched on a HyperTEK Hybrid M960 I believe...the damage was quite severe to the motor, but the rocket survived mostly unscathed. What damage there was ended up on the cutting floor early in the rebuild.

Johnnie

That's awesome!

What time do things start? It looks like it would be about a 2 hour drive up there and I would have to leave around noon because we have to be somewhere Sat evening.

Johnnie here's a couple more of your ST2005 L3 attempt

And another one of the very cool BFRs that flew

And one of my L3 rocket and my mach buster

Plus an R/C powered rocket glider that I flew at ST2005 (and I have another one that's for sale).

Where is Chuck Andrus?

Recognize this old bird?



Your Level II rebuilt over again...flew nicely on a pourable M load...

Last reply, and then back to your regularly scheduled RC talk...

VIDEO: (courtesy of Kyle Cornelious)

The Saturday Shot was a failed attempt...listen to the whistle as the 50 lb rocket hits 6,865ft...

Johnnie Paul M1882 1 (0 min 54 sec)

Sunday Totally Rocked!! 6,868ft

Johnnie Paul M1882 2 (1 min 29 sec)

This video courtesy of Rich Thompson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30i5wOioso

Johnnie

Johnny:

Thanks so much for sharing some of your current fun modeling activities!

I enjoyed flying with you and your son back at NDD. That was Years Ago now!

I'll never forget that day when your cell phone started ringing (probably just a coincidence!) and the several planes flying on 72 started falling out of the sky. No colorful recovery parachutes in use there!

Jim

Merely coincidence Jim, T-Mobile's coverage is so weak that I seriously doubt my phone shot anyone down...pilot error maybe? :-)

Congrats Johnnie! That was awesome.

Thanks for letting us know about the event. It was worth the 2 hour drive up there to see those big rockets launch. Those "M" and "N" motors are something.

Craig

Here is Southern Thunder 2008 set to music by Kyle Cornelius:

part 1-

ST08 music video part 1 (9 min 10 sec)

part 2-

ST08 music video part 2 (9 min 19 sec)

Good-bye

Johnnie