2/15/2008 - Boy, are we lazy

Well, Plaster Blaster 6 has passed and the poor Arrow sits unfinished in the garage.

As always, Plaster Blaster was a terrific success. We had a great time and flew many rockets including the venerable Crash Test Dummy.

Plaster Blaster 7 will be back again in October '08 - maybe this time.... (I know, famous last words, eh?)

11/04/2006 - Change of schedule, one more time

And again Plaster Blaster has passed without our Arrow.

As always, the launch was spectacular. We flew a modified version of the Crash Test Dummy on Saturday night. It was outfitted with an acrylic body tube that we filled with electro-luminescent wire and cold cathode neon lights. She is 12 feet tall and powered with a redline K and 3 E motors on the fin tips, just for effect. Be sure to check out the video!

Plaster Blaster 6 will be back in October - maybe we'll be ready by then.

10/25/2005 - Change of schedule, again

Best-laid plans....

Well, we didn't get the Arrow finished for Plaster Blaster either. Just too much on my plate these days.

Plaster Blaster 2005 was great, even without the Arrow. Be sure to check out the pictures. The Space Shuttle and the N1 were particularly impressive. And we entered our Thumper in the 'M' class drag race again.

6/19/2005 - Change of schedule

We have been forced to change our launch plans.

I have taken a new job that requires me to be in town through July so we won't be able to travel to Canada this summer. We are very sad.

We would like to thank Max and everyone on the LDRS crew for their help in planning the trip and we wish them the best of luck with their launch. We are sure it will be a great success.

So, it looks like Plaster Blaster 2005 will be the venue for the maiden flight of the California Arrow.

5/18/2005 - Now we're committed!

I have been chatting in email with the good folks in Lethbridge, Canada about our trip to LDRS. Arranging motors, that sort of thing.

Well, Max Baines was gracious enough to offer to up our project up on the featured flights section of the LDRS site. Thank you Max, we are honoured.

No backing out now!

5/11/2005 - Update

Well, the NSL came and went without the California Arrow. What a drag. I'm just going to have to work faster.

On a happier note, the launch was a huge success! Hundreds of high power flights including the second flight of the Vostok. What an amazing rocket - Peter and I were proud to a part of it.

In fact, the maiden flight of the Vostok made the cover of this month's Sport Rocketry magazine. That's Peter and me on the right side of the picture, along with many friends. The article was written by my good friend Jorge Velazquez.

2/08/2005 - LDRS or Bust!

LDRS is Tripoli's annual national launch and for the first time ever it is being held in Canada!

Not only Canada, but in Lethbridge Alberta, the town where my wife Elsa grew up. Lethbridge is just south of Calgary where Peter and his sister Andrea were born. We haven't been back to Western Canada in many years and this seems like just to good an opportunity to miss. We may even take in the Calgary Stampede!

So, assuming that the California Arrow survives her maiden flight at the National Sport Launch, the whole family will be piling into a rented motor home and heading to the Great White North.

11/19/2004 - Projected Launch Date Set.

Well, this project has gone on long enough. Today we received notice that our local club has been awarded the 2005 National Sport Launch!

Peter and I cannot let a huge event like this go by, so we are just going to have to get to work and put this bird in the air. Nothing like a deadline to get things moving.

The NSL will be held at Plaster City, CA on May 6, 7 and 8, 2005. It will be a terrific launch and we hope that you can all attend.

10/2/2004 - We are Level 3 Certified!

On October 2nd, 2004 at Plaster Blaster 2004 Stephen was able to successfully certify at Level 3.

The flight was made as part of the annual M Motor Drag Race. This year 21 Polecat Aerospace Thumpers lined up just 10 feet apart and attempted the largest mass M launch ever!. We only got 11 off in the first volley, but that still beats the previous record of 6. Eventually 20 of them flew, including ours.

The best part is now we can up the booster motor in the Arrow to an M1315W. We even have the motor case!

4/15/2004 - We visit the real Canadian Arrow!

The mockup of the Canadian Arrow has traveled to Long Beach, California for a static display at the Long Beach Grand Prix Champ Car race and we went to see her!

There, we took lots of photos and we were able to meet two of the astronauts that will actually fly the Canadian Arrow! What a great thrill. Here is a picture of Peter with the two brave fellows.

Astronaut Larry Clark is on the left and Astronaut Terry Wong is on the right. Peter was sure coveting that red and white flight suit - maybe he'll be in the next generation of Astronauts!