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