How do you build a model rocket. Well, if you're a 'sissy' you can start with one of those kits and actually spend extra money to buy professional body tubes. But if you really want to make one, just start with old wrapper tubes as we did here.
One little item that came in very handy during this effort was a Dremmel rotary tool. It was great for cutting and sanding.
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| Here are the parts we started with. In the past we had also used just heavy cardboard for the fins -- but we had some extra balsa wood and used that. | Note the "D" class engines -- these home made jobs tend to run a bit heavy! | By this time the fins are cut and we are attaching smaller booster tubes to the side. | Here is dad hard at work! |
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| Now we have something that looks like a rocket! The green stuff is modelling putty, actually meant for plastic aircraft models -- but, it sticks to paper too! | A look down the vertical assembly. Notice the perfect fin alignment! | A little bit more sanding. | Added the nose cone, an extra one we had -- which did not fit. Click on this to see how we expanded the fairing at the end of the tube by cutting. |
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| Now, here is something to be proud of! | First an initial coat of gray. Color selection was controlled by whatever half-empty cans of spray paint we had left! | We always did like the two tone look. We also find that putting decals all over the place, distracts the eye from other surface defects. | Here is, the TUBE! |
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| LAUNCH DAY - as a warm-up the crew hooks up the "White Monster", our first TUBE rocket, fins of cardboard, and a nose cone custom shaped from wads of masking tape covered with with white contact paper. | After a great launch, a successful recover, as always for the White Monster! | The TUBE had a great launch and climb; however, a failure in the parachute ejection sequence resulted in ground impact -- the mission crew was buried in place (saving some expense!). Don't worry, the launch crew didn't feel a thing! | Here it is after recovery. The post impact accident examination revealed major structural engine mount failure during flight (a paper clip restraining the engine got loose!). |