Time to build another one of my favorite old school designs. I've built two of these previously and it's a love / hate relationship.. The first one flew until there was nothing left of it and the other I gave away when I got out of the hobby at one point. I've had this one new in the package since the early 90's and have even pulled it out and started working on it from time to time only to put it back on the rack for another day. My hesitation to build another is mostly due to all of the issues that the rocket has with breaking parts.
I learned a lot with the first two I built so I think I'm ready to try this one again. This one will incorporate those changes in hopes of keeping it together for more than only a few launches.
- Stock 3/16" Dowels cut to length.
- Stock BT80 body tube 9.5" long. Cut for TTW fins.
- NC-80B nose cone.
- Paper Centering rings with center opening enlarged to fit BT50.
- Plywood piece to Reinforcement Shock Cord mount.
- Lower Fins cut from Basswood with TTW tabs.
- Upper Fins cut from Basswood.
- 3/16" launch lug.
- Estes 24mm motor retainer.
- BT50 motor block.
- BT50 motor tube 2.75" long.
- Plywood landing pads. Made from BT20 and BT50 centering ring scraps.
- Stock water slide decals.
Got started with the motor mount. Inserted the motor block from into the motor tube from the rear and pushed into place with an old motor as a spacer.
Next the motor tube was sanded to remove the outer layer. The tube was then marked for the upper and lower centering rings. These will sit above and below the fin tabs.
Next the upper paper ring was attached on the upper mark.
Once dry, the motor mount was flipped over and the reinforcement plate was installed. This piece will fit between the motor tube and the outside wall of the body tube. Glue was placed on both surfaces then clamped in place on the underside of the upper ring.
Once dry, 500# Kevlar was added as a leader for the shock cord. A small hole was drilled in the plywood and the Kevlar was pushed through. A knot was tied in the Kevlar and it was glued in place.
That is as far as I've gotten this weekend. Hoping to wrap this one up enough to fly it at the club launch this Saturday.
I learned a lot with the first two I built so I think I'm ready to try this one again. This one will incorporate those changes in hopes of keeping it together for more than only a few launches.
- Stock 3/16" Dowels cut to length.
- Stock BT80 body tube 9.5" long. Cut for TTW fins.
- NC-80B nose cone.
- Paper Centering rings with center opening enlarged to fit BT50.
- Plywood piece to Reinforcement Shock Cord mount.
- Lower Fins cut from Basswood with TTW tabs.
- Upper Fins cut from Basswood.
- 3/16" launch lug.
- Estes 24mm motor retainer.
- BT50 motor block.
- BT50 motor tube 2.75" long.
- Plywood landing pads. Made from BT20 and BT50 centering ring scraps.
- Stock water slide decals.
Got started with the motor mount. Inserted the motor block from into the motor tube from the rear and pushed into place with an old motor as a spacer.
Next the motor tube was sanded to remove the outer layer. The tube was then marked for the upper and lower centering rings. These will sit above and below the fin tabs.
Next the upper paper ring was attached on the upper mark.
Once dry, the motor mount was flipped over and the reinforcement plate was installed. This piece will fit between the motor tube and the outside wall of the body tube. Glue was placed on both surfaces then clamped in place on the underside of the upper ring.
Once dry, 500# Kevlar was added as a leader for the shock cord. A small hole was drilled in the plywood and the Kevlar was pushed through. A knot was tied in the Kevlar and it was glued in place.
That is as far as I've gotten this weekend. Hoping to wrap this one up enough to fly it at the club launch this Saturday.