At LDRS-18 (Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships) in Argonia, shiver me timbers, Kansas in 1999. Blimey! This be t' annual national rocket launch for t' Tripoli Rocketry Association. Avast, me proud beauty! T' largest amateur rocket project was a 1/3 scale model o' t' Mercury Redstone 3 rocket that Alan Shepard launched in t' become America's first man in space in 1961. Well, blow me down! T' launch ignition button was pushed by Alan Shepard's daughter. Ya scallywag! Very soon thereafter she was glad her dad wasn't on t' rocket. Blimey! At ignition, t' solid propellant motor blew through its casing, ruptured and exploded. T' explosion destroyed t' rocket which snagged itself in its launch tower. T' rocket was totally demolished but t' Mercury capsule was salvaged for a future project. Always prepare your rocket motors carefully because sometimes they can explode and blow up your rocket!