Let the shockwave topple monuments

[sovay]

I felt much more ambivalent about the development of the Bell X-1 after I learned the history of the Miles M.52, but I still recognize the loss of Chuck Yeager. I grew up building and launching model rockets; one of my childhood talismans was a Matchbox SR-71. I can't remember not knowing about him.

Comments

Re: Boldly Going

[nodrog]

I, too, have some dusty survivors, at static mount in the closet.

Our one attempt at a two-stage rocket was… amusing, in its way:   We didn't realize that a special type of engine was needed for the 1st stage, and used a normal one with its smoke tracking charge…  Giving the rocket plenty of time to lazily tip over to about 30° when the second stage lit at altitude, firing it AWAY down the sky and out of sight as though designed for the purpose!  If we’d had a radio transponder on it I doubt it would have stayed in trackable range - it was GONE.