KEY POINTS:
Phil Vukovich is bitterly disappointed at losing his rocket after blasting it high above the Waikato.
The North Shore man, a plasterer by trade, set out at the weekend to almost double the New Zealand record height of 4.5km by a home-built rocket.
His prototype last year was estimated to have reached 4km powered by a 4.8kg toffee-like cocktail of sugar and oxidiser.
Last year's model had its altimeter damaged during its parachute descent but Mr Vukovich hoped to reach 30,000ft (9144m) from the Rocketry Association's launchpad eastof Huntly by trebling its firepower.
But the latest 2.4m version was missing in action last night, depriving him of vital computer data needed to verify his attempt on the record set two-and-a-half years ago by fireworks maestro Martin van Tiel, who holds a doctorate in chemistry.
Mr Vukovich is keen to hear from anyone who comes across his rocket but was last night too disappointed to discuss the loss. "It's all a bloody failure," was his only comment.
Last year's prototype took five days to find after descending into dense bush.
