1980s model rocket flight log

I found a very old text file on my 286 which detailed my 1980's model rocket launches in Chicago. Apache-2 model 2 means the original apache.

7-6-86
Apache-2 model 2
Butler Field
Engine unknown

7-14-87
Apache-2 model 2
Butler Field
A8-0+1/2A6-2 A8-5 A8-5

7-18-87
Apache-2 model 2
Golf Road Forest Preserve
A8-0+1/2A6-2 A8-0+B4-6 B4-6

7-25-87
Apache-2 model 2
Golf Road Forest Preserve
1/2 A6-2 A8-0+A8-5 A8-0+B4-6

8-1-87
Apache-2 model 2
Golf Road Forest Preserve
B6-4 B6-0+A8-3 B6-0+A8-3

8-8-87
Apache-2 model 2
Horner Park
B8-5 A8-0+B6-4 B6-4

8-22-87
Apache-2 model 2
Horner Park
B8-5 B6-0+A8-3 B6-0+A8-3 B8-5 B6-0+A8-3
6-26-88 Viking Golf Road Forest Preserve A8-3 A8-3
7-3-88 Viking Golf Road Forest Preserve A8-3 B4-4
7-24-88 Viking Golf Road Forest Preserve B4-4
7-31-88 Viking Golf Road Forest Preserve B4-4
6-26-88 Apache-2 model 3 Golf Road Forest Preserve ?
7-3-88 Apache-2 model 3 Golf Road Forest Preserve ?
7-24-88 Apache-2 model 3 Golf Road Forest Preserve ?
7-31-88 Apache-2 model 3 Golf Road Forest Preserve ?
8-7-88 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park ?
8-14-88 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park ?
8-21-88 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park ?
7-2-89 Apache-2 model 3 Golf Road Forest Preserve A8-3 B6-0+A8-3
7-9-89 Scout underwater Butler Field A8-3
7-30-89 Schwarz Prinz Aldi HQ,Batavia IL A8-3 A8-3
8-7-89 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park A8-3 B6-4 B8-5
8-7-89 Schwarz Prinz Horner Park A8-3 B6-4 B6-4
8-16-89 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park B4-4 B6-4
8-16-89 Schwarz Prinz Horner Park A8-3 B6-4
8-21-89 Apache-2 model 3 Horner Park B6-4 B6-4 B6-0+A8-3
8-21-89 Schwarz Prinz Horner Park A8-3 B6-4 B6-4
8-21-89 Blazer underwater Horner Park A8-3
8-5-90 Apache-2 model 3 Curie Park B4-4 A8-3
8-5-90 Schwarz Prinz Curie Park B6-4 B6-4

Apache-2 (Mk. 2) Rebuild

To make a better rebuild, I'll scan the decal patterns from the original instruction booklet. I noticed the booklet's illustration captured most of the details of the real decal.

What kind of rebuild should I be looking at?

1. Remove and realign fins, launch lug. Strip off paint and glue with acetone if possible. Upper stage body tube should be completely replaced. It's burnt on one end and crumped on the other end. Aim for smooth finish.


2. Retire the Mk.2 model. Make supersized replica powered by E engines with a hidden payload compartment for radio location, altimeter, beeper, strobe light and other electronic gizmos.

Launch Report 4/2/05

Disasterous launch event for me. One rocket is out of action after landing in a stream. My old stand-by Apache-2 needs to be rebuilt after taking a core sample on landing. My first and newest D-engined rocket was almost lost.



Double Trouble: D12-7

I lost my newest, scratch-built rocket (Double Trouble) on its very first flight. The rocket went straight up into the air. This rocket was designed to go high and I was tracking a small speck in the sky as it was coming down. I got distracted by the launch of my friend's rocket and took my eyes off my rocket. Bad mistake. I was never able to see it again. I spent 30 minutes looking for it and temporarily gave up the search to launch my other rockets. We looked for another 40 minutes after the launches and a kid told us he saw it in the lost and found box. Luckily it was really there.

I'll repaint it and sand the sealed fin surface.

Apache-2: C6-0, C6-7

Stage separation was normal, but the upper stage failed to deploy the streamer. The nose cone came out, but not the rest of the recovery system. The rocket tube impaled the ground and took a core sample. The problem was caused by upper stage motor being too loose and as a result, ejected itself out of the rocket instead of ejecting the streamer.
Rocket was repaired and put out to flight again later. Removed soil core sample. Retied shock cord to streamer and nose cone.

Schwartz-Prinz: B6-4

This very light rocket went up straight, fast and high. It landed in a stream unfortunately. Cardboard tube and engine casing swelled. I couldn't remove the engine. Body tube became weakened as I gripped it tightly to remove the engine.
This rocket's flying days are over. At home, I cut open the body tube to remove the engine casing. The balsa nose cone got a severe dent from landing on the rockets. Disassembled entire rocket. Cut up sections of the body tube. I plan to resuse the fins in a later project and maybe the tube as an engine mount.

Apache-2: C6-0, B6-6

Rocket wobbled on its flight up. Briefly lost track of rocket as it neared the ground due to a kid getting in my way. Luckily, a passerby found it. I don't know what caused the wobbly. Perhaps the body tube was bent slightly due to the damage sustained on the previous flight.

This rocket should be rebuilt. I am not happy with the poor fin alignment of the upper and lower stages. I can't offset the alignment because the launch lug is mounted in between two fins.