Just discovered i am a BAR. Made several kits when younger and even a couple scratchbuilt... until I discovered girls... and music.
Fast forward 25 years. Was doing some Spring cleaning when my 3 year old son found my flight box. After explaining how the launch pad and Launch controller worked he became fascinated as only a 3 year old could. So started showing him NASA footage on youtube... which led to links to videos of model rockets. We even loaded Kerbel Space Program on the PC. His enthusiasm became infectious-soon causing my 6 year old daughter to yell 3, 2, 1 BLAST-OFF! On Fathers Day I was presented with Custom Rockets 'Freedom', and two Semroc kits... 'The Point' and 'Sprite'. Well I COULD'NT dissapoint them.
All three assembled. I let them 'decorate' the white painted body of the 'Freedom' with markers, bought engines and.... found out that 20+ years of neglect and leaking batteries had ruined my Launch controller.
Went to Radio Shack and bought switches and battery holder... Then the Dollar Store for a flashlight (used for continuity check). Using a wooden box and the salvaged wire and clips, plus my poor soldering skills I made a two button (one for each offspring to push) Launch Controller using a schematic I found online. Was completely astounded when it actually worked.
My first launch since Reagan was in Office was today (6-23-12). Don't know who was happier, me or my children-launch-recovery team.
