Rocketry Planet

LARGS, Scotland UK — Rocketeers from around the world were taken by surprise when a golden orb appeared above the skies of the International Rocketry Week 2010 event, headquartered at South Whittlieburn Farm, in the beautiful setting of Brisbane Glen, north of the town of Largs, in Scotland.

SLIDESHOW: The IRW headquarters in the barn at South Whittlieburn Farm is the hub for the event's activities.

With the rest of the United Kingdom soaked in persistent rain, International Rocket Week once again showed why it holds a unique place in European rocketry.

Mid-way through the annual event, Thursday proved to be one of the best flying days in recent years. Near perfect flying conditions allowed fliers to show off their rockets to the waiting press.

Martyn Turner used the event to launch his Blue Tube-based Cloud Chaser rocket for a UKRA Level 2 certification attempt. The beautifully finished rocket flew arrow straight on a CTI J295 to bag Martyn his certification. Much to the envy of husbands everywhere, Martyn topped of the flight with his novel rocket retrieval system.

Marcel Otte, who travels from the Netherlands every year to attend the event, had 3 beautiful flights on Aerotech F motors. Local flyer Gordon Walker had less success with the same motors with a faulty igniter and then a separated chute on the maiden voyage of his LED bedecked Alien rocket.

His colleague Mitch Hamilton made up for this with a text book launch of his 7.5 inch Broadsword rocket. Using the ever reliable J295, Mitch tore the sky apart and recovered with dual deployed chutes.

SLIDESHOW: A collection of photos from the Denver Post.

Enthusiasts prepare to launch rockets as they gather for International Rocket Week on August 26, 2010 in Largs, Scotland. The IRW 2010, an event for model and amateur rocketeers and rocketry followers of all ages, runs for eight days and encompasses research and competition rocket building and flying. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

Ken and Rachel Thomas flew in from the East coast to launch a variety of model rockets. Ken specializes in slim sleek birds, while Rachel has more eclectic tastes in rockets and in their names.

Adrian Hurt, another local flyer launched some of his beautiful scale models to the delight of the crowd. Best flight of the day however went to Phil Hadley who launched his Bullpup on a D21. We saw it on the pad. We saw it light and then there was no rocket. A truly neck-snapping flight that showed you don't have to fly high power rockets to wow the audience.

The International Rocket Week is an event for all model and amateur rocketeers, and rocketry followers, of all ages, be they individuals, club members/groups, or families, and gratefully acknowledges the support of the United Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA) and the Scottish Aeronautics & Rocketry Association (SARA). International Rocket Week 2010 continues until Monday, the 30th August.