Bomber Field High Power Launch - December 5, 1998
 
   A great turnout of rocketeers were greeted with a beautiful Texas December day for this launch, the winds could have been lighter, but not bad for Houston. There were 24 participants launching a total of 74 rockets using 95 motors. Most of these were great successes, but there lots of moans and groans also at the many CATO's, separations, no parachute ejection's, and a second stage that did not light. Of the total flights, there were: 4 A's, 2 B's, 20 C's, 8 D's, 7 E's, 8F's, 10 G's, 7 H's, 5 I's, 1 J, and 1 K.
    Joel Rozenzweig had the most launches with at least 16. Anthony Nicklin had the biggest rocket with his K 550 powered scale up of the Estes Silver Comet - a beautiful rocket. David Bacque had the best altimeter recovery as his I 284 powered rocket popped it's chute just in time. I think Tammy Rumfola had the fastest liftoff with her little Butterfly on a G 80. Jeff Butcher had the deepest core sample after his I 357 powered rocket shed  it's parachute.
    Many thanks to Marc Clayton, David Bacque, and Warren Benson for manning the Launch controller, and to Tom Lanier for lending his expertise to anyone who asked throughout the day.
    We all had a great day, even though many of us lost major parts of at least one rocket, just getting out on a day like that, and watching some great launches was enough.

    My apologies to those I might have left out and for incorrect captions I may have used. As always, corrections are very much appreciated.  Anybody have more photos...  send 'em in! I'll get them posted.

Pictures below:
    David Bacque's "Light This Candle" on I 284, there's flame on BOTH ends of that candle!   Andy Eng's level 1 certification attempt on a Vulconite and H 123 just before things went haywire. Chris Rumfola's LOC 429-ss with 2 G 40's and 2 D 12's. Did the D's light?  Below these are Warren Benson's Saturn 5 on 5 C motors, the Apollo capsule returning on three parachutes, and his Gemini/Titan on 2 C's
 


 
 
  The catastrophic failure of an H 124 below will remain unidentified out of sympathy, note the flames and blackened booster in the second picture. Below those are Anthony Nicklin's Silver Comet on a K 550.  It sat on the pad for a few seconds spewing fire, but when it went, it really went!


 
 

Below:   Jeff Butcher's  I 357  scratch built,   Bill Shiller's custom built 2 stager with 3 D 12's in the booster and a single D 12 in the upper stage.  Joel Rozenzweig's Patriot pops it's chute after flying on an F 62.  Josh Butcher's great looking Lance Beta on a G 35.

 
 

Great facilities at Bomber Field include covered setup area, large tables, and an overhead viewing area! :