K-LOB 2002 (NWR report by Mark Robinson) The K-LOB weekend went quite well - I enjoyed it a great deal (my first time down on the farm) despite the fact that I didn't do much flying myself. I spent too much time in the shed (Hangar 18) socialising, building and repairing. Andy's weekend was spoilt somewhat due to the fact that his terrier booster spacked in - the BBX staged and recovered fine, even though it was trying to head miles into wind. It came down in the same field as the booster - big field! and the farmer managed not to run over it. George of NSRG helped to recover Andy's booster by digging it out of a hole about 18" deep. We recovered the "core sample" back to base, but did not hold out much hope for the G-Wizz. The front half of the booster was shattered. However, on investigation it turned out that the front bulkhead was intact, thus protecting the G-Wizz behind it. Andy felt a little better after that. The reason for spacking in? The ejection charge on the PRO 38 motor Andy used failed to fire - the delay grain hadn't burned correctly. Pete was going to pursue the matter further so we shall wait and see. I'm not sure if it was the first problem of this nature with a PRO 38 or not. At long last my PML AMRAAM2 has flown! It went "commando" on an Aerotech G54 white lightning. I was going to at least put some primer on it, let alone paint it, but the challenge of a drag race from Mel Sharpe changed my mind, although he did express his disgust at my lowering of standards by letting my rocket go forth naked! He'd got 2 G54 motors and his AMRAAM2 with him. I lost. Mel's AMRAAM leapt instantly off the pad, mine suffered some clutch slip and smouldered for a second before valiantly giving chase. The delay charge and piston eject worked fine for both Mel and myself, both rockets landing undamaged. It did not matter to me that I'd lost. It was my first successful launch on anything bigger than a D- motor. The AMRAAM had proved itself worthy of a paint job, which it now has. My Estes Sidewinder (now also painted, in a frenzy of rocket science after I'd got back home) compliments the AMRAAM nicely. Other points of note were that the Dutch team (Tripoli NL) got a level 3 after a launch and recovery of a large 10' (I think) M- powered Super 8 camera carrying red beast. Pete's large, red rocket didn't recover properly. Richard gained his level 1 with the rocket he'd built out of the parts he bought at Largs. There was a bloody good home grown firework display on the Saturday night (the weather was good all weekend). Red distress flares are VERY bright! There was a framework which, when ignited said K-LOB. This was a nice touch although as someone pointed out, when viewed from the road behind the field the letters would appear reversed, therefore reading bollock (BOL-K) Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Andy mentioned about an NWR meeting (possibly called G- up) sometime next year before UKRA etc. Hope that comes to fruition. Cheers for now, Mark Robinson .......see you there next year.  Some pics of the event are below.. Mark with his new AMRAAM2 Richards ready to rock! Andy with his Mini BBX before launch Ooppss!!....nasty.... Andy's Mini BBX booster RETURN TO THE MAIN HOME PAGE