" newContent += "
" newContent += "" newContent += "
" // write HTML to new window document newWindow.document.write(newContent) newWindow.document.close() // close layout stream } } The SAM-X flies to over 2,000 ft!" newContent += "
" newContent += "" newContent += "
" // write HTML to new window document newWindow.document.write(newContent) newWindow.document.close() // close layout stream } }

Larry's Fleet
Our Fleet (as of 3/01)
Our Fleet, as of March 2001
Here's a summary of my fleet:
Rocket (with links to their pictures)
Flights
Actual
Flight
Pictures
Current Status
Estes Mercury Atlas  
Waiting to build...
 Discontinued in 1999, but I was able to find one (after reading John Glenn's biography!).
Estes Mercury Redstone (Gus Grisham's "Liberty Bell 7")
0
Mercury Redstone
 3/13/01-Ready to launch!
MachBuster  

Waiting to build.
This kit, purchased from the now defunct RocketVision company, will fly 4000 feet high on an F72 engine. It will also break the sound barrier and lift off at Mach 1.1! I'll try to catch it on videotape, because I'm sure we won't see this puppy again!
Estes Pro Patriot (sold 1992-1996)  
Next to build....
 Patterned after the largest rocket Estes sold. It's a 3 inch body tube, with a cluster of 4 D engines. The decals say "Scud buster" and "To Sadam from George"! Simulation software (wRASP) predicts a maximum altitude of ~950 feet with 4 D's, and over 2100 feet with 4 E's! I'll have to hand cut all the parts, because this kit isn't available anymore. One recently sold on e-bay for over $200!
Estes Super Big Bertha  

Reissued 7/2000.

Waiting to build.

 This is a "classic" kit from the 1986. It's much bigger than my Big Bertha (above), 36 inches tall and 2.6 inches in diameter. It ONLY flies with D engines (although I did buy some E's to see if I can get it to really fly!).
Estes V-2  
Reissued 7/2000.

Waiting to build.
 This is a "classic" kit from the 1984. It's 22.2 inches tall and 2.6 inches in diameter. It ONLY flies with D engines (although I did buy some E's to see if I can get it to really fly!).
Quest Flat Cat  
Here's a catalog picture

Waiting to build....
A Boost Glider. It's got a rocket bedy which provides the power to lift it (hopefully) to ~800 feet, then the rocket part detaches and the glider cruises down gracefully (hopefully).
Russian Proton
1

Ready to fly
9/5/00
Pizza Hut sponsored the July 12th launch! Click here to read about it.
Design notes

The "Proton" was used on July 12th to launch a key part of the International Space Station in a launch sponsored by Pizza Hut. This will be my first finless rocket. See space.com for more information (check out their multimedia presentation).
NOTE-This project and the SR-71 (above) prompted me to add the t une at the bottom of this page. ;-)

October 15 Launch Report
Estes SR-71 Blackbird 0

7/15/00-Ready to fly

This is the Estes catalog shot. Click here to view my final bird...

Ready to fly. Check out the details and design modifications. I modified the Estes kit to allow me to launch with either one or three engines!
Estes Blackhawk (sold 1991-1993) 1

5/16/00-Ready to fly

From Estes 1991 catalog....

Scratch built from plans on-line at Jim Z's site. An interesting dual pod structure, with a central engine compartment. Called the "Stealth fighter from the 21st Century" in the 1991 Estes catalog. Estimated to go ~800 feet on C engines.

See 7/5/00 Launch Report
Estes Silver Comet 1 Painted and ready to go (Dec 99).
Ready for another flight! (7/00)

A birthday present from my older daughter. :-)

It flies great! (see 7/5/00 Launch Report)
Custom Rocket's SAM-X 1 Ready for first flight

A 2 stage rocket which can fly to 2000 feet!

4/1/00 Update: Lost in space! Launched with a C6-0/C6-7 combination, it took off at an angle and flew to at least a 1000 feet. We saw the tracking dye when the nose cone ejected, but never saw the parachute. We recovered the booster, but not the main stage.

R.I.P.
Sputnik (1964 plans) 3 Ready for its first flight...

Scratch built from 1964 Estes plans

7/5/00 Launch Report
R.I.P.

 

The Flying Jenny, an Estes rocket glider.... 1
Finished version (click for more details)

Estes used to sell a Space Plane. They also provided free plans in 1964 to a "Flying Jenny" (rocket boosted glider). Plans for both are on-line. They fly to ~300 feet under rocket power on an A engine, then glide back to earth.

The Jenny is a rocket powered biplane with a rocket engine tube for the body. It's ready to fly!

4/1/00 Update-Jenny's maiden flight wasn't pretty! She flew about 50 feet up (A6-3 engine), then looped over toward the ground. She hit the ground under power, ejecting the engine after landing. All her wings came off from the impact. Back to the drawing board.... I just got a new book by Tim Van Milligan on rocket design. I think I'll better read the chapter on rocket gliders and start with a kit!

R.I.P.
Estes NASA X-15 (Estes #0889; sold 1988~1989).
Click above for a preview

2

1 - 7/5/00

 First flights 10/24 Scratch built from plans on-line at Jim Z's site.
7/5/00 Launch Report-
R.I.P.

Things go better with Cherry Coke!!		 2 It flies!!!

Construction details on how I built the Cherry Coke rocket
Estes Space Shuttle (Estes #1284) 2 It flies great!

Maiden flight October 11th
Ready for more!
Estes Yankee (built with my nephew, John, while visiting him in Colorado) 3   Lost from sight on a C-6 engine.....   Never seen again!  :-(
R.I.P.
Estes Big Bertha (kit bashed into a three 18mm engine cluster ala Estes Astron Ranger plans PDF version) 2 First flight was beautiful! Flew to over 1500 feet on 10/24, then drifted ~two blocks before landing gently in someone's driveway! Ready for more
Estes AstroCam ~8 or 10 Success! Repaired, and ready to go. A great picture was finally obtained on 10/24 (check it out!); ready for more flights!
Estes Venom ~5 9/5/99 launch Really jumps up there!
Estes Wizard 2
Estes Alpha III ~5   Ready for more

Home

Rocket stuff
Larry's fleet
Kim's fleet
Sarah's fleet
Our Oddballs
Astrocam page
Rocketry links

Other Interests
Norm's 75th
NU vs. TCU game
Family pages (password required)

Guest Book

Feedback


Larry Helseth