Pem-Tech - Screamin' green meenie: Build

[Gillard]

Won this rocket from the march competition.
got the rocket sent super fast from the states to the UK

i've got to thank Layne (Pem Tech) for such a great prize

the kit comes in a plastic bag, and has soe of the best instructions i've ever seen in a kit, step by step, photos, everydetail with explaination. and they're funny to read as well, i won't spoil the fun by telling you the "jokes" here.

kit contains all the usual parts (expect two i'll get to that later)

the nose cone is great quality, the tubes strong with some slight grooves, thick good quality Kevlar cord, laser cut parts etc.

[Gillard]

first thing was to build the motor mount.

where's the thrust ring?
where's the engine hook?

the instructions explain why these are not included and what to do for retension etc.

i'm just a bit too traditional so i added an engine block and a engine hook (sorry layne)

you also have to cut a small notch for the Kevlar cord - of which there is loads - over 7foot.

the whole lot was epoxyied together.

[Gillard]

whilst the glue was drying, i sanded the fins.

layne give a few different methods for filling the fins, i opted for the glue method, only because i have never done that before - in hindsight i should have stuck with sanding sealer.

the fins have a notch in the root edge as this is where the ring fins fit.

the fins were made of god quality balsa, and laser cut.

[Gillard]

The body tube and the ring fins then had there spiral grooves filled with filler and then sanded smooth.

[Conan4480]

the fins were made of god quality balsa, and laser cut.

Wow thats some good balsa. Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Gillard]

Wow thats some good balsa. Sorry, couldn't resist.

fair point - i have had some balsa that was a DEVIL to fill!!

[Gillard]

fins have been sanded and now primed with spray paint grey primmer
nose cone has been primed as well.

[Gillard]

body tube and fin rings have been marked using template supplied

[Gillard]

motor mount has been glued into place using white glue. will add a fillet of epoxy for strength.

[Gillard]

next is to glue the fins into the ring fins. did this with CA gel and then filleted with white glue

[Gillard]

these fins wher then spray paint primed and then glued onto the BT
i have yet to add the epoxy fillet to the motor mount.

[Gillard]

Next the lug supplied is cut and attached to the BT, one at the base and one behind the front of the fins. these were then filleted.

[Gillard]

nearly finished,

now everything is coated with spray paint primer.

[Pem Tech]

Lookin' good Matt....
SO, did you have any trouble getting the snake into the NC?

[Gillard]

Lookin' good Matt....
SO, did you have any trouble getting the snake into the NC?

did not go for the enticement method, showed it my mongoose, and it shot in for safety.

[Gillard]

finally painted the rocket, nothing fancy, green body, black nosecone.
flew her twice today on D12-5
she flys really well, and fits in nicely between a fat boy and big daddy, except she's better looking.

[JAL3]

finally painted the rocket, nothing fancy, green body, black nosecone.
flew her twice today on D12-5
she flys really well, and fits in nicely between a fat boy and big daddy, except she's better looking.

Photos or it doesn't count!

[Gillard]

Photos or it doesn't count!

okay, it counts now

[JAL3]

okay, it counts now

Much better.

It counts.

[Pem Tech]

Bravo! Fine work....

[Gillard]

thought i'd add a picture of her coming down - i did not use the parachute supplied with the kit (although it was a good quality parachute) but it was a bit windy so a smaller chute was required