While trying to decide on our first high power kit we couldn't decide between this and the Horizon. Both similar in that they will launch on both mid and high power motors, so we went ahead and got both.

These kits are really nice builds and the directions and decals are the best I've seen so far.

Level One Cert Attempt

On 4-26-03 we had a chance to attempt our level one cert with this rocket. Loaded up an AT H238T, got her on the pad and counted down.

Unfortunately about midway through the motor burn the ejection charge fired and tore the rocket apart in mid air.   Seems we had a delay grain blow by.

The nosecone and payload section came down on their own with no damage.

The booster section however came in ballistic and suffered some damage. As you can see in the picture below we suffered a serious kink and bend in the body tube above the fins.  Not visible in the picture is another bad kink in the top four inches of the body tube, hidden by the decal.

We have decided to repair her and try again, as she's a great looking rocket, and when you think about it with the type of cato we   had the fact that it's still repairable with such little damage is impressive.

New parts are ordered and I'll document the repairs here.

First while waiting for parts I've gone ahead and cut off the body tube above the fins. 21 7/8" was cut off, this takes care of both of the bad areas.  This will be replaced with new body tube, repainted and new decals.

Here's a picture of the damaged tube and the salvaged fin can.

More to follow as parts arrive.

Ordered parts on Sunday 4-27-03 and they arrived 2 days later on Tuesday. Now that's great service from BSD, thank you Mark.

Replacement tube has been cut and launch lug glued on.

Coupler tube has been epoxied into the fin can. Replacement body tube has now been painted and ready to go.

Body tube is now epoxied on to coupler. Repairs are pretty much complete, just time for the decals now.

Not the greatest light for the pic, but she's as good as new.  The only difference now would be the extra coupler. Also cosmetically the vertical yellow stripes at the bottom are now a couple of inches shorter, but that too can be taken care of if I feel like it.

In short, good as new and ready to go again.

Multiple flights on this bird now since the rebuild and it's holding up great and flying great.

Built 3-28-03

Diameter 3", Length 57.75" and Weight 34 oz. 29mm motors and parachute recovery.

Sprint lifting off, April 2004.

Sprint lifting off on an AT H165 Redline motor, April 2005.

April 2006 in Nebraska on an AT H97 Black Jack

BSD Sprint Flight Logs

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