Basic construction Details

Nose Cone

The nose cone consists of a Maximum Thrust Rocketry 29 X 9.25 In. fiberglass nose cone with a .5 inch plywood bulkhead. A 3.0-inch hole was cut in the bulkhead to accept a 3.0-inch Phenolic tube that holds 5-15 lbs. Of sand for ballast.
30 Ft. of 2-Inch tubular nylon is attached to the nose cone by a 2-inch steel U-Bolt bolted through the plywood bulkhead.

Airframe

 

The airframe consists of 2 Maximum Thrust Rocketry 48 X 9.25 In. Cardboard tubes. The upper tube is 48 In. and the lower tube is cut to 38 In. They are joined together by one Maximum Thrust Rocketry 9.00 Dia. Cardboard Coupler tube.
The first of Two .5 In. plywood bulkheads is epoxied 20 In. from the top end of the upper tube. This is the parachute compartment. A 2-inch U-Bolt for attaching the parachute shock cord is bolted through the bulkhead as are Two .5 In. Brass tubes for loading the Two ejection charges. There is a .375 inch vent hole drilled at aprox 8 In. from the upper end of the body to compensate for changes in atmospheric pressure as the rocket boosts toward apogee.

The recovery electronics are accessible through a 3X5-In. access hatch Located 1 In. below the upper bulkhead. There are Two .375 In. Sensor holes on either side of the airframe approximately 26 In. from the top of the upper tube.
The second bulkhead is butted against the top of the coupler tube 42 In. from the top of the upper tube. Both bulkheads are epoxied in place and reinforced with fiberglass tape at the joints.

There are Three 9.00 In. Dia .5 In. plywood motor mount thrust rings to support the 36.0 X 3.900 In. Dia Phenolic main motor mount tube & the 4 38mm motor mount tubes. Located at 63.87 In., 75.87 In., and 86.00 In. from the top of the upper tube.

There is an 8.87 In. long fiberglass boatail that reduces to 8.00 In. Dia attached to the end of the lower body tube. An 8.00 Dia .5 In. plywood thrust ring ends the airframe assembly.

The entire assembly is covered with three layers of fiberglass cloth and resin sanded smooth and painted with two-stage Dupont polyurethane automotive paint.

 

Fin Construction

 

The four fins are made up of 3/16-In. plywood with Two large lightening holes cut out. Five plywood stringers are cut to shape and glued onto each side of the frame in an I shaped pattern. The front and leading edges of the fins are then beveled on a belt sander. Two sheets of 3/32-In. plywood are then glued to each side of the frame. The fins are then covered with 1 layer of fiberglass cloth and resin.

This built up construction is similar to that used in model airplane construction, and gives the fins a scale aerodynamic appearance while remaining light yet strong.

Specifications - Overveiw - Home - Electronics - Recovery - Propulsion