The weather was fine and the wind was calm.

About 15 friends and family joined us to take in the sunshine, launch rockets, play ball games, walk in the woods and have a picnic. Code Red, Blue Ninja, FireFlash and Executioner all flew on the day.

Executioner's maiden flight, May 16, 2004
Video 1 Video 2

The Executioner is an excellent Estes model. The time to build it is more than made up by its excellent flying characteristics. It takes D or E class motors. The large body diameter makes for a very reliable parachute ejection. Executioner flew three times at the meeting. On inspection, two of the fins glue rivets had loosened. And on the last flight the Kevlar patch must have slipped. The 24 inch X-style parachute now has a large hole. Some nylon could be used to sew over that. Time for some repairs.

The youngest associate member of PARS. Jamie Young (2 going on 3) with Executioner

Alex and Jamie prepare to launch Executioner

Alex Field is the son of Mark Field, both founders of PARS. Alex did a great job explaining how rockets worked to Jamie. He also looked after him during launches. Thanks Alex.

Next up is Becka, five years old, with Blue Ninja

Many thanks to Madeleine, Sophie, Aneeka and Alicia (from Croydon High School) for looking after Becka on the day. Becka seemed very interested in rockets and her launch of Blue Ninja was perfection, rising to apogee on a D12-5 before ejecting its chute.