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+# Lil Nuke
+
+This was Robert's first high-power-capable rocket.
+
+## Motivation
+
+After Bdale got his high power certification in May of 2007, it seemed
+appropriate for Robert to build a rocket capable of flying on larger motors,
+too. This was
+the first airframe that Robert used epoxy on, for example, and the first time
+he built something using Kaplow-style motor retaining clips.
+
+Because we bought the optional payload bay kit, this airframe was capable of
+carrying electronics. Even though it always flew with motor-based ejection,
+one of the earliest [Altus Metrum](http:/altusmetrum.org)
+[TeleMetrum](http://altusmetrum.org/TeleMetrum) v0.1 prototypes flew many
+times in this airframe, making Robert undeniably our chief test pilot!
+
+## Design Details
+
+* LOC Precision [PK-4 Lil' Nuke](http://shop.locprecision.com/product.sc?productId=114) kit
+* LOC Precision [2.14" Payload Section](http://shop.locprecision.com/product.sc?productId=159) kit
+* 6-32 t-nuts in aft ring for use with mirror clips in a Kaplow-style motor
+ retention setup
+
+## Build
+
+We ordered the kits from [Discount Rocketry](http://discountrocketry.com/)
+in early August of 2007, and construction took place during the last week of
+the month. We painted it in Rustoleum Red, which gave it a very cool,
+"wet-looking" color. On 31 August, in the parking lot of the Marriott Pyramid
+in Albuquerque, we completed the build by coating the aft centering ring and
+the bulkhead at the rear of the payload bay with 30 minute hobby-store epoxy.
+
+## Publicity
+
+[Photos](http://gallery.gag.com/rockets/LilNuke) of this airframe.
+
+## Flights
+
+First flown at the [Albuquerque Rocket Society](http://www.arsabq.org/)
+Thrust in the Dust launch over Labor Day weekend in 2007.
+
+The "funny story" about that launch is that when we arrived at the site, one
+of the organizers of the launch (maybe the club president?) signed us in and
+handed Robert a snap-together plastic model kit, suggesting he put it together
+then come get a motor for it so he could fly a rocket too. As we walked back
+to the car, Robert asked me if he really had to put the kit together... I told
+him no, he didn't, but maybe one of our friends coming later in the day would
+enjoy it. When the range opened, Robert was first in line at the RSO with
+the Lil Nuke flight-prepped and ready to go on an Aerotech G54W-M motor. When
+he handed it over to the same guy to check out, the guy looked at me
+questioningly, and I told him "don't look at me, it's his rocket!"... the
+facial expression that resulted was just priceless. It was a perfect flight.
+
+Later that same day, Robert flew again on an Aerotech G104T-M, and it was
+another perfect flight other than gnarling one of the fins a bit on landing.
+
+This airframe flew many, many times on E, F, and G motors. Early on, two of
+the fins popped off on different flights and had to be re-epoxied.
+
+On Friday afternoon, 5 October 2007 at [NCR's](http://www.ncrocketry.org/)
+Oktoberfest launch, Robert flew this airframe on an Aerotech G77R-M, which
+for a long time was his favorite motor. The elastic shock cord separated
+on the booster side of the swivel at apogee. Amazingly, thanks largely to
+the short grass around the launch site, we were able to locate and recover
+both pieces in undamaged condition! We replaced the elastic with about 15
+feet of black parachute cord, which worked brilliantly.
+
+After many dozens of flights, the cardboard tube began to come apart slightly.
+Robert decided to "retire" the airframe until his 14th birthday, when he would
+be old enough to attempt a [NAR](http://nar.org) Junior L1 high power cert.
+Sure enough, on 19 January 2013, the Lil Nuke was taken out of retirement,
+fitted with a brand-new [TeleMetrum](http://altusmetrum.org/TeleMetrum) version
+1.2b board, and flown at Hudson Ranch on an Aerotech H165R-M provided by
+Joe Hinton, the [Giant Leap](http://giantleaprocketry.com/) motor guy, for
+a successful certification flight!
+
+This airframe is now permanently retired to "hanger queen" status.
+
projects / web / gag.com / blobdiff