I cloned the 1972 Enerjet Pterodactyl from a donated kit (which went to auction).

I finally got around to painting it last month. Aero-Gloss dope, yellow, black, and orange.

Trimmed it a couple weeks back. Not a spectacular glide, but flat and stable.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

I flew the Pterodactyl at Fillibe's Folly, Sept. 14.

I used a stock Estes PSII Argent. The Pterodactyl has plans for a little wire clip that is taped to the body tube; I reinforced it with a doubled-up rubber band.

Because it was a little windy, at last minute I added a bit of bracing to hold the rudder steady. A BBQ skewer snapped in two, taped on either side of one of the fins. It did the trick!

The Argent flew on a F40-7. Good boost, slightly late deployment, but the glider deployed crisply and began gliding in a fast circle around the descending rocket! They landed within a hundred feet or so of each other.

I had a moderate walk to find the Argent. The grass wasn't too high, but it took a few minutes to find the glider. No damage.

I'm really happy with this combo. Next time I might fly them on a G64-10.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

Good flight! Sounds like a nice combo! Good to see some of those vintage Enerjet designs fly again!

The launch name must be in honor of Gary Fillible, if I have interpreted that right. Is he still active in rocketry? I recall him as being an early high power name when I first joined Tripoli in the latter 80s. Matter of fact, I got my Tripoli 35 year pin in the mail just a few weeks ago.

Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

I'm not sure if Gary flies any more, but he shows up at Fillibe's Folly to fill the first LCO slot on every Saturday I've attended going back as far as I recall.

See photo!

He and his wife spectated after his shift.

The same donor who provided the Pterodactyl also donated an Enerjet-era Aero-Dart, the one with the Orion nose cone. George Rachor paid the club for it. Before I handed it over to him I gave it the "official" paint job.

I guess I could have borrowed it from his for this launch!

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

Ok, thanks for the update on Gary. Glad to hear he is still involved in rocketry in some way!

And looks like a great flight on the upscale Centuri Centaur too! Still need to paint my finished vintage Centaur build from about six months ago. Built three other vintage kits since then, but have not yet painted any of them. Have balsa sealer on the Centaur though, but need to sand it down and apply another coat. Just finished and Estes Solar Sailer.

Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970