Busy at work measuring and gluing. The nice thing about the Thing-a-ma-Jig is that there is virtually no cutting.
The kids stayed focus for the two sessions we spent building. The first session we got the fin unit and engine mount assembled as well as the parachute
Checking the launch lug alignment calls for a good eye.
The second session (week) we install the engine mount, attach the fin unit and finish the build.
Sometimes we're short of supplies and one has to watch as the other works. Not a bad thing as the students get to see how it is done first.
With everything coming together, the kids are told that they will bring their rockets home this week to paint for the upcoming launch
This was also the time of the 4th anniversary of FlisKits and I wanted to be sure the kids got to see the cake we had made. Unfortunately our anniversary launch was rained out and we moved the celebration to NEMROC
A dozen rockets, a dozen motors, a dozen launches and a dozen happy rocketeers!
I am a big proponent of Do-it-yourself. I will show the kids how to and then have them do it. I go so far as to make sure they are aware that I will only tell them ONCE. If they aren't listening then they won't know and will have to ask a fellow student because I won't entertain questions to repeat anything I explained. Gets them to listen real good :)
Parachute folding and packing comes first, then we do the motors.
As with everything else, the students do all the work. I am simply an observer. I explain the operation of the pad and how the microclips work then let them get to it.
We always pose for a picture with our rockets!
And the kids love to ham it up for the camera too!
Snapped JUST before liftoff, you can see we are attracting a crowd out here on the school field.
But we did get some launch pictures!
I simply LOVE the creativity and imagination that the kids put into the painting of their models. Sometimes simple, sometimes (like this) more complex. This gives the kids more reason to want to make their model perform well.
The tiny clips are a new challenge to these kids having never done this before.
But all is accomplished and inspected before going to the launch controller.
Everyone looking skyward as a model streaks into the air!
Near field recovery is a wonderful thing on such calm days.
Some so close you can almost touch them!
Here is an incredibly nice paint job for the Thing-a-ma-Jig.
Here is a nice closeup of the tail end of this rocket. Great use of stencils!
It's the smiles that get to me. They're infectious!
Almost, almost, ALMOST!
Shadows are not your friend when trying to hook up clips.
Live long and prosper...
And we have LIFTOFF!
Good catch!
Straight and true. One of the features of the Thing-a-ma-Jig is that the fins are always straight so you get nice straight flights every time.
A handsome pair. A couple of cute kids too...
Chasing after your rocket is as normal as chasing after that grounder in baseball, but a lot more fun!
And a good catch is just frosting on the cake!
Here we are after the second build of the Rhino (no construction pictures this go-round)
Some painted, some not, but all good!
It's getting later in the year and the days are getting shorter making it harder and harder to get decent launch pictures.
Now, a little more experienced, the clips aren't as big a problem.
However, posing with your model is just as important!
Looking like a night time launch, the faster shutter stops the rocket, but darkens the images...
ICK
Lessons learned about the importance of careful recovery device packing!
(NOTE: No damage to the rocket!)
Good deployment means a safe descent.
Hooking up the clips
Taking full advantage of the Rhino using the provided fin patterns instead of the laser cut fins, for a totally custom look. Note also that some fins are forward swept while others are rearward. Very kewl and flew great!
Two Rhino kits, built by beginners. You could never tell that they came from the same design and were built in the same class. THAT is quality rocketry!
More and more these classes are including young women. They have a ball and their attention to detail can not be matched.
If you can't tell that these kids are having fun, you're not paying attention!
A dark launch pix.
A tree line recovery
This other model landed in a tree! (still there as of December). She was devastated by the loss. Later in the week I sent her a replacement which, as I understand it, has already been built!
The Rhino, big-n-bad, with an attitude!
Well, you can see some fire in this picture...
OUCH! Another lawn dart! But the smile is still there!
Last photo due to batteries running out. We're near the end of the launch as students fly their other rockets too, with their own motors.