Construction

I started construction with t' center tube/motor mount. Ya scallywag!  T' tube I had was a little larger than a BT50.  Usin' a spent engine casing, I wrapped paper around it until it fit into t' center tube. Ya scallywag!  I unwrapped it and rewrapped usin' a thin layer o' glue betwixt each wrap. Ya scallywag!  This was made long enough t' accommodate an E engine and t' engine block. Ahoy!  I glued t' engine block in t' sleeve and glued t' sleeve into t' center tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy!  I then attached t' engine retainer t' t' center tube with a couple o' wraps o' maskin' tape. Blimey!  I printed t' diameters o' t' body tube and center tube usin' software I downloaded from EMRR several years ago. Begad!  I used a glue stick t' adhere them t' t' foamboard.  A sharp blade works wonders when cuttin' these out. Arrr! Begad!  T' main body tube is thin plastic and can be squishy if nay supported somehow.  I decided four rings would be sufficient.  I mounted one at t' bottom and one at t' top o' t' center tube and spaced t' other two at equal spaces. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!  Not bein' sure how well t' foamboard would adhere t' t' plastic, I cut another CR out o' lite ply and glued it t' t' bottom CR. Avast! Blimey!  I attached t' kevlar cord t' t' bottom o' t' top CR and glued in place. Well, blow me down! Blimey!  I used a length o' kevlar that extended approx. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! 6" past t' end o' t' body tube. Arrr! Blimey!  T' elastic shock cord would then be tied t' t' kevlar.   I inserted t' center tube assembly into t' main body tube. Begad! Blimey!  Again, shiver me timbers, nay bein' sure how well t' ply would sitck t' t' plastic, I screwed t' assembly t' t' bottom o' t' main body tube.

Main body tube side story:

I built a series o' "Crayon" rockets from Dollar Store crayon penny banks. Begad! Blimey!  T' yellow was a lawn dart and smashed t' nose cone beyond repair. Arrr! Blimey!  So I bought another one t' replace t' nose. Arrr! Blimey!  That left me with a tube and no nose. Begad! Blimey!  It hit me that t' LOC nose cone I had might just fit, and viola!, it did (with a few wraps o' yellow duct tape).

Now on t' t' fins. Begad!  I transfered me patterns t' a piece o' cardboard usin' a glue stick, shiver me timbers, arrr, me hearties, cut them out then traced them onto t' thin plywood.  I stacked t' pieces o' plywood togther usin' double stick tape and proceeded t' t' scroll saw. Ya scallywag!  I gave them a good sandin' and was ready for paint.  I decided t' paint them prior t' attachin' t' main body tube since it did nay require paint.

I used me grandson's deflated Batman mylar balloon for t' parachute. Well, blow me down! Blimey!  I left it in its round shape and tied on kevlar strin' for t' shroud lines. Begad! Arrr! Blimey!  I reinforced t' holes with standard paper hole reinforcin' rings, me bucko, one on each side. Ya scallywag!  I gathered all t' shroud lines and attached a swivel clip which in turn was clipped t' t' nose cone. Begad!  T' elastic shock cord was tied t' t' nose cone and a dab o' glue on t' knot for safe keeping.