Dr Zooch shuttle "Columbia" May 18 (2012-03-05)

Launch of Dr. Zooch Return to Flight Space Shuttle, using an Estes C6-3 motor. This was a spectacular flight of self-built orbiter "Columbia" . The orbiter glided straight as an arrow to a landing 500-600 feet from the launch pad, within approximately 10 feet of the buildings off in the distance. Unfortunately, the gliding shuttle isn't visible, but the buildings in the video show how amazingly far the orbiter flew. My lovely wife/camera operator had assumed they would be lost judging from the commentary at the end of the video. This is an excellent kit from Dr. Zooch... highly recommended!

Dr. Zooch Space Shuttle - feeding the tree (2012-03-05)

This was a picture-perfect launch of my Dr. Zooch Space Shuttle... right up to the point until the SRB/ET assembly decided to nest about 35 feet up a tree.. the ONLY tree in the field, no less. After initial attempts to retrieve (with long poles taped together and with tennis balls tied to fishing line) proved unsuccessful, a couple of passers - who apparently valued their lives less than I do mine - climbed up and got it down (wasn't that nice of them?!?!?). It took about 30 minutes to make a few small repairs, and I've since logged a couple of spectacular flights. Upon review of the video after the flight, I was actually surprised by the relatively tame language I used when it it hit the tree (good thing I turned the camera off when I did).