Brief:
In early 2008 I decided I'd build a large version o' t' Estes Mighty Moe for me Level 3 certification attempt. Ahoy! Aye aye! My self-imposed timetable meant I had about 9 months t' plan and build t' rocket so I could make me L3 attempt at the annual Superstition Spacemodelin' Society "G. Well, blow me down! Harry Stine Memorial Launch" t' be held at Rainbow Valley, Arizona, in late October 2008. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! I have a dedicated website detailin' t' plannin' and construction o' t' Mighty Moe.

Construction:
In summary, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' Mighty Moe is an 836% upscale o' t' design kitted by Estes from 1986 t' 1988. Blimey! Blimey! That model was 13 inches tall and 0.736 inches (BT-20) diameter and flew on 18mm motors. I've been called "Moe" by family and friends since I was a baby in 1964, matey, so t' Mighty Moe was a natural choice for me for this project. Avast! Blimey! I selected a 75mm motor mount so I could try t' certify with t' M1297 reload. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Dry weight, prepped for launch but without motor propellant, arrr, shiver me timbers, is about 43 pounds. T' rocket is 110 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used Public Missiles (PML) phenolic airframe and coupler tubin' throughout as well as their plywood centerin' rings and bulkplates. My dad turned a custom conical nose cone from redwood. In fact, he turned four o' them for me. Ahoy! Blimey! I made t' fins myself from 1/2inch birch plywood. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Hardware was purchased from various local home-supply stores.

October 25th finally arrived and dad and I drove out t' Rainbow Valley. Avast! Blimey! T' weather was nearly perfect for flyin' and t' typical crowd be in place for two days o' flyin' rockets o' all sizes. Ahoy! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Several fliers were attemptin' Level 3 certification over t' weekend so thar was no shortage o' excitement and butterflies in the stomach.

In t' end, Mighty Moe left t' pad at 2:10pm Saturday afternoon for a picture perfect flight and dual-deployment recovery. Arrr! Moe touched down about 1,000 feet from t' flight line amidst t' cheers o' t' fliers and onlookers. Post-flight inspection revealed no problems with t' rocket and I earned me Level 3 certification.

I'm nay sure when I'll be flyin' Mighty Moe again as t' big motors ain't cheap, me bucko, shiver me timbers, but it's a good lookin' rocket and one worthy o' display in me front room. Arrr!

Flight and Recovery:
I used an Aerotech M1297 reload in t' 75/5120 case. Blimey! Blimey! It should take a 74/6400 case no problem as thar be enough room. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It flew t' about 4.300 feet and pretty straight I might add. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 100 feet o' 1" tubular nylon (four 25 foot sections o' Top Flite product) split 50/50 betwixt t' two recovery bays. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! 48" Rocketman drogue chute for apogee event and 168" Spherachutes for t' main event. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Recovery was perfect.