[cripplecreek]

That’s quite a model at 13,000 feet. Possible yes but no hobby shop rocket to be sure.

[NewRomeTacitus]

It was a Space Hamster!

[Othniel]

There are BIG rockets that you can get in hobby stores and elsewhere that can go that high. Thing is, there are certification requirements, and you're only allowed to launch them from specific locations on certain days, and then only with altitude limits. If it's ever discovered who did it, the perp will find a bunch of rowdy rocketeers ready to teach him a lesson. After 911, the rocket crowd is very sensitive about people who don't do things right.

Do a web search for "Tripoli Rockets" or "High powered rocketry."

[dinoparty]

I agree. That’s more than 40 football fields straight up in the air. I can’t imagine there are legal model rockets that can go that high, but what do I know.

[bitterohiogunclinger]

At 13,000 feet and five to seven feet long, it's no “model” rocket. Stinger or Al Qaeda dry run perhaps.

[Sequoyah101]

Possible yes, probable I don’t think so.

As someone said though, at first report it didn’t happen. Took place on a Friday and wasn’t reported until a Monday ...go figure.

[Jewbacca]

The world’s largest model rocket (a Saturn V duplicate with 8 N class engines and a giant P class engine) reached 4,000 feet.

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/04/largest-flying.php

At 13,000 feet, this was no model rocket.