Sort of like going to a Fourth of July fireworks show, huh? The best part
about them is the explosions, if there are decent ones. The model rockets
wouldn't have that part, darnit. Probably just a hiss or whoosh, sort of
like a bottle rocket, and that's about it. Bummer. They do look cool,
though.
---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Ward" <[email protected]>
To: "Gamers Discussion list" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Model Aircraft and Radio Controlled Vehicles
Hi Charles,
Well, keep in mind I still had sight when I was into model rockets,
but the kits usually weren't that difficult to build. Of course, how
difficult the kit was to build depended on the kit. They ranged from
beginner models for kids to very advanced models for adults. The
models I built were mostly the beginner models as I was only 9 or 10
years old at the time and the instructions were not that difficult.
However, I do remember my dad and I did buy one of the more advanced
kits, the Apollo 11, and that one required my dad's help because it
was a fairly detailed replication of the Saturn 5 rocket and Apollo 11
command module.It had to be painted, glued together, and there were
several detailed decals to add to it. I suppose I could have done
that one myself, as I was sighted at the time, but couldn't have done
that one blind as we wanted it to look as close as possible to the
real thing.
As far as the fuel goes the model rockets use a solid rocket engine
meaning that it uses a special propellant that comes with the engine
you buy from the toy store. The fuel and oxidizer are mixed together
into a propellant that is packed into a solid cylinder which comes
inside the model rocket engine itself. You use an electric ignition to
light the engine, and launch the model rocket into the air. Once you
use the engine you have to replace it before relaunching the model
rocket as there is no way to refuel it. That's why model rocket
engines generally come three to a pack as you can only use them once
before throwing them away and buying a new one.
The reason why modern model rockets use solid propellant rather than
liquid fuels like gas is for safety reasons. Apparently, back in the
60's when model rockets first became really popular kids had a habit
of blowing their hands and arms off messing with liquid fuels like
gas. So modern model rocket engines use the same type of solid
propellant the shuttle uses in its solid rocket boosters but only on a
smaller scale of course. You just install the engine, set your rocket
on the launch pad, connect the electric ignition and blast off. There
isn't any handling flammable materials, poisonous chemicals, or
anything too dangerous for a kid to get hurt with. Just remember to
stand back before igniting the engine as you could get toasted if you
are too close.
As far as a blind person building and flying model rockets I think
the blindness issue takes a lot of the fun out of it. The most fun I
had with them was launching them and watching them reach maximum
altitude, say 1,000 feet, and then descend back to the earth. Not
being able to watch them fly takes most if not all of the fun out of
it. At least for me that's been the reason I haven't gotten back into
it.
For example, back around Easter time my in-laws had a couple of model
rockets they decided to launch after dinner and everyone sat outside
watching the rockets go up one after another. I felt really left out
of the experience because I could hear them take off, and had to
listen to people ooh and ah as they flew overhead. One even crash
landed right in the middle of the pond and we couldn't get it until
summer when someone finally went swimming and retrieved it out of the
mud. By that time it was pretty much hosed. In any case I didn't
really feel connected to the fun of watching them. Being told a rocket
just torpedoed straight into the middle of the pond isn't quite as fun
as watching it hit, break apart, and sink.
Cheers!
On 12/24/11, Charles Rivard <[email protected]> wrote:
Model rocketry has always fascinated me. How difficult are they to
build?
How detailed are they? What fuel is used? This could be a thread loaded
with questions for experienced rocketeers, and I don't know how blind
friendly the model rocketry would be, but I like the subject, so there ya
go.
---
Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second.
---
Gamers mailing list __ [email protected]
If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to
[email protected].
You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org.
All messages are archived and can be searched and read at
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the
list,
please send E-mail to [email protected].
---
Gamers mailing list __ [email protected]
If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected].
You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at
http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org.
All messages are archived and can be searched and read at
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list,
please send E-mail to [email protected].
