At October CROCK 2007, PARS made some new records for ourselves, breaking for the first time the 4000 feet barrier.

As Pete Barrett reports, the day "was one of the best meetings I have ever been to, perfect weather, almost clear blue skies with just a few white clouds and the slightest of breezes."

We lost count of how many launches we saw, but there was loads of J - K flights including White Lightning, Blackjacks, Blue Thunder and
Redlines.

Congrats goes to Malcolm of Rockets and Things for passing his Level 2 Cert Flight. Pete also finally managed to get his Zagi Radio Controlled Rocket boost glider launched twice, firstly on a D then a E for a better launch, both did nice flights, but still need to practice my landings ! His photos are also online at the HART ROCKETS online gallery:

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/hartrockets/6755599

But back to our story. It all started with a very strange sight indeed:

Malcolm Jenning's NEW Xmas Cracker Rocket, arriving atop his car, which must have caused quite a stir along the motorway.

Sebastian Field's amazing rocket powered gliders. Sorry we don't have photos of their flights, but I would need a MUCH longer lens. I love these gliders and wonder if any other PARS members are going to build any larger ones. (Kits are available.)

Peter Barrett showing off his Radio Controlled Rocket Powered flying wing.

The wing in flight. It truly was beautiful, and with
radio controlled return.

Howard Smith, me, president of PARS, with his new rocket, H1.

Designed for F, G and H 29mm mid powered motors, typically Congreve, this rocket will be his Level 1 rocket. Today's tests were on F and G. The tests were successful, and the rocket is ready for an H level 1 flight.

H1 takes off. The rocket weighs about 1.lb with its onboard tracking and altimeter. It achieved 749 feet on a Congreve 60F35. It reached 1549 feet on a Congreve 120G70.

H1 in flight and in recovery.

Alexander Field prepares his Level 1 cert rocket, Fantom, for a 3-Grain Pro38 flight (I205). Unfortunately, no onboard altimeter, so we don't know the height, but it looked like well over 2300 feet.

Fantom taking off, with (below) a very surprised Alexander at the height attained. I love Fantom. A simply amazing rocket.

Fantom returns safely, several hundred yards away.

Sebastian Field was not feeling well this day, but
nevertheless managed some amazing flights.
Here he is with his Level 1 Cert rocket, whose name I
always forget.

Seb's Level 1 Cert rocket in flight. I hate smokey sams
and don't want the job of cleaning the pad :-(

One of the bigger rockets of the day, belonging to Mike
Jennings of "Rockets & Things." Here, with a young
admirer.

PARS co-president, Mark Field, preparing his rocket
DART. It is designed for altitude and is a minimum
diameter 38mm.

Mark gets ready for the launch of his lifetime. He is
attempting to set a new PARS total height record!

DART takes off, achieving an amazing 4381 feet on a
Pro38 H153 (2Grain) motor. This is a new PARS record.

At the same event, Mark also broke his own A-Class
record with his rocket "'Insurrection", achieving 383
feet on a Quest A6-4.

Alexander decided to put Sky Blaster on an E9.

I think you can imagine what happened. For reasons
none of us understand, this rocket is simply HIGH! If
only someone would fit an altimeter. PLEASE ALEX!

At the event, I tested a design modification to
Mercury 1. With the fins in the center, it reached
3815 feet on a Pro38 I205 (3Grain) motor. This is
not quite what was predicted. However, it means
the rocket is ready for the PARS 1-Mile
attempt.

The 1-mile attempt will be prepared and conducted
by Oliver Neil Smith, Dan Goldsmith and Kes Daood,
at the next "perfect" day - calm winds.

Sebastian Field was persauded to end the day
perfectly, with a simply amazing 4-Grain launch
of the BIG PENCIL.