IRW+1995

=INTERNATIONAL ROCKETRY WEEK IRW1995 (LARGS, SCOTLAND)=

This was my first ever IRW. I did not bring any rockets with me because I had no idea what to expect. When I arrived at the event, I then realised that what I had been doing in rocketry over the last five years was similar to those projects being built and flown at the IRW

I could have brought my Pheonix that flew on 7 x D motors. That (for 1995) would have been quite a large rocket.

I had heard about the event from Brian in work. He had heard a radio programme on the BBC that was all about the upcoming event in Largs. I called the BBC and they gave me John Bonsors and Bobby Walks numbers. I managed to get hold of Bobby who said that I was more than welcome to come along.

My wife Hazel insistead that I could only go if I took David (who was still only 3 at the time!). We set off for Largs hoping that we could book into a bed and breakfast somwhere. In the end we did manage to find a nice place in Largs.

What I did not know was that Steve Bennett was to be at the event. I had heard of him in the news (Sugar rocket man) and was looking forward to see a large rocket taking off.

There was a film crew present at the event. we had to drive for quite a while to a remote farm area (quite steep in places too) to get to the launch site.

Once there, a few other rockets were launched. The one below was all steel and plastic. There was no pyrotechnic charges for the chutes at all. There were 2 doors on either side of the body tube that were opened by radio control (standard aircraft set). It worked really well. I was note sure of the propellant, but I have the feeling it was home made?



Image below of the film crews (local as well as Japanese KYN) with Steve setting up Star Chaser 2.



Pre-launch had major problems with the possibility that the film crew equipment was interfering with the avionics. The ejection charges were set off 3 times while on the pad. On one occassion, the nose cone came down on Steve's head. The problem was solved and the launch commenced. This was the first large rocket I had ever seen been launched. LOTS of noise and smoke. Big flame, and it was gone. I think it went to 2500 feet before splitting into 2 sections. It came down about 1/2 mile away. One thing I noticed that steve was using curtain rail the same as me for the launch tower! The base looked like the legs off an old office chair? One thing we did do, and always do at the IRW now (tradition I guess) is to go down to the ferry and have a go on the ammusments. For a 3 year old, David was excellent!!!.......He waited hours in the field for the rockets to go up and did not complain once. We have been coming back to the IRW ever since.....now we fly our own rocktes....some BIG too!!