John A. Wilke

Congrats to you guys for taking on an incredible project. Sorry it didn’t work out this time, but I’ll bet you’ll be back with another attempt. The coordination of skill sets, schedules, etc. on something like that is astounding.No one…   Read more»

I wish I could help – my skills are not up this alley. That said – a hearty THANKS to Warren for getting this site to where it is. He’s plowed a lot ground that many of us take for…   Read more»

I guess I was a bit shocked at the price tag as well…. nearly double Hubble (and we can’t run up there and fix or upgrade like we could for Hubble). Much of this mission is devoted to discerning if…   Read more»

John, I personally NEVER use swivels – but that is a personal choice. For shock cord on a rocket like that, the 1/2″ tubular would work great – It is 7,200# test.Shameless plug- you can get that for $1.25/foot with…   Read more»

As a follow-up to my earlier posting, I’d like to try and gauge interest in “built” rockets. I basically don’t want to haul them to the meeting if there isn’t any interest.I have a couple KestreLs, a minimum diameter 4″…   Read more»

John, I want to qualify my “you can’t push the tubing hard enough to make it fail” comment…. If you have a very tall rocket or a 2-stage that has a bad interstage coupler, all bets are off. That said,…   Read more»

You cannot push either of them hard enough to make them fail (convolute or filament). Convolute is waaaaay easier to drill and sand. That was my story when I was a dealer and I’m sticking with it…

good message, Mike – I tracked down the five guys who are veterans in my office this morning. All the branches of the services are represented in our shop… and I’d say they are absolutely as good of employees as…   Read more»

My bad for posting in the wrong forum. Warren, any way you could move this to a more appropriate slot?When will the meeting dates be decided?Thanks – J

There is a LOT of snow out east and it would NOT have been fun. Flyers would have had to shovel snow off the pad to set up. Skipping today was a great call! (Though I’d have enjoyed coming out…)

That is indeed a lot of rocket for less than $200. It is THE WAY to go if you want to do an economical L3 (my biased opinion). After many scratch-built L1 and L2-class projects, I ended up building a…   Read more»

That is crazy… if his thumb slips (or if he gets his right-left or up-down crossed up, as is so easy to do with RCs coming and going at you) – that thing would easily decapitate someone.I wonder when he…   Read more»

Ken, the rocket isn’t all that astounding – it is basically a ultra-lightweight Mongoose 54 with some nifty modifications. All the magic is in the motor – which is a Cesaroni project that we’ll have to let Dr. J talk…   Read more»

Adrian, are we going to fly unLeashed? I need to bug Jeroen for the load… if he builds the motor, I’ll be there.JW

Major fire burning west of Ft. Collins as I type this – it is one of the bigger fires I’ve witnessed from my office. Not good.I’ll miss O’Fest, everyone have a great time!

You-D-Man! Thanks Tim! I sent you a PM

Adept units are smaller, shorter antennas… and have brought many a rocket back from 20K++. The results with Walstsons have been a bit less repeatable – at least in my experience.

Warren, you have taken the web page from “kindergarten to college” and I know I speak for many when I say that. I also understand the need to turn the page, etc.For my part, a hearty THANK YOU for your…   Read more»

I am headed home now…. Hope to be there for the launch!

You can touch the SR-71 at the SAC museum just west of Omaha.

Yup! That SAC museum is awesome!!!!Greetings from Santiago, Chile. Winter just starting here!