January 16, 1999 Launch Report

Contributed by Tom McAtee

Our first launch of the new year took place at the Polo Field on January 16. For January, the weather was good, with a light wind and temperature in high 40's. There was still plenty of snow, slush, and water on the ground, so it was very sloppy, but at least it was fairly easy to find the rockets after they landed. We ended the day with over 60 flights.

Larry Mills, from Kansas City, joined us for the first time. His Long Shots flew throughout the afternoon on C, D, and finally E28 motors. John Buckley was the day's most frequent flyer, with 16 flights, including multiple flights of his new rtf (ready-to-fly) Moondog, and a good two-stage Warp II flight. Several other ready-to-fly models appeared; they're getting a favorable reaction among our members. Jeff Brundt was very active, flying his Mercury Redstone, V-2, and Sandhawk. Jack Hollister had a good two-stage flight of his Quark Quark (he has a streak going), as well as the venerable Space Probe. Aaron Edwards suffered a multiple D21 cato in his 3-engine clustered Big Bertha.

Chris Gillham with his V3 John Buckley with is hard won prize Rob and Alex Chapie loading the pad

Tom McAtee trying to figure out the controls

Good turnout considering the snow