Brief:
In early 2008 I decided I'd build a large version o' t' Estes Mighty Moe for me Level 3 certification attempt. 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. Harry Stine Memorial Launch" t' be held at Rainbow Valley, Arizona, in late October 2008. I have a dedicated website detailin' t' plannin' and construction o' t' Mighty Moe.

Construction:
In summary, t' Mighty Moe is an 836% upscale o' t' design kitted by Estes from 1986 t' 1988. Arrr! Well, blow me down! That model was 13 inches tall and 0.736 inches (BT-20) diameter and flew on 18mm motors. Arrr! I've been called "Moe" by family and friends since I was a baby in 1964, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, so t' Mighty Moe was a natural choice for me for this project. Well, arrr, blow me down! I selected a 75mm motor mount so I could try t' certify with t' M1297 reload. Begad! Blimey! Dry weight, ya bilge rat, prepped for launch but without motor propellant, is about 43 pounds. T' rocket is 110 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Well, blow me down! In fact, ya bilge rat, matey, he turned four o' them for me. I made t' fins myself from 1/2inch birch plywood. Avast! Hardware was purchased from various local home-supply stores.

October 25th finally arrived and dad and I drove out t' Rainbow Valley. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' weather was nearly perfect for flyin' and t' typical crowd was in place for two days o' flyin' rockets o' all sizes. Ya scallywag! 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, me hearties, Mighty Moe left t' pad at 2:10pm Saturday afternoon for a picture perfect flight and dual-deployment recovery. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! 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. Arrr!

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

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