BT-55 body tube

BT-55 payload tube

BT-55 coupler

BT-55 bulkhead

15" parachute

Kevlar shock cord

Elastic shock cord

Balsa fins

24mm motor mount

24mm engine hook (E length)

3/16 launch lug

Balsa nose cone

Waterslide decals

Eye screw

ASP provides quality components for their kits.

As usual, I started with the motor mount. Before gluing the centering rings on the motor tube, I used a round file to sand a grove in the forwarding centering ring. I tied a knot in the Kevlar shock cord and placed the Kevlar through the grove in the forward centering ring. I then glued the centering rings onto the body tube. I did not use the provided motor hook as I will add a 24mm Estes retainer. After the glue dried I reversed the motor mount and add glue to the other side of the centering rings. I used Titebond II for this. Next I glued the motor mount into the body tube.

Next, I marked the fin locations on the body tube. I cut out the fins and glued them one at a time to body tube. I used Aileen's Fast Grab and Tacky white glue for the fins. It sets up quickly and you can glue the fins on about 10 minutes after the prior fin. While the fins dried, I screwed the eye screw through the bulkhead. I added 5-minute epoxy around the eye screw. Then I glued the bulkhead into the coupler. When this all dried I glued the coupler into the payload tube. Finally, I used Titebond II to add fillets to the fins.

I tied the elastic shock cord to the Kevlar shock cord using s sheet bend knot and threaded the shock cord through the motor mount and body tube. Then I tied the shock cord to the eye screw. I used 3 overhand knots and added some white glue to the knot. The launch lug was then glued to the body tube.

Now it was time for painting. I first sealed the fins with balsa filler and sanded them. Then I primed the entire rocket with Rustoleum 2-in-1 primer. Next I painted the body tubes and fins Apple Red. The payload tube was painted white. I painted the nose cone Apple Red before gluing it into the payload tube. If you want to use the payload bay, tape on the nose cone instead of gluing it into the payload tube. If you don't you will lose the nose cone at ejection. The Sky Ferry has an attractive finishing with white striping over the red. I did not mask and paint this. Instead, I have a roll of white Cricut vinyl and I cut out the white stripes for the fins and body tube. After applying the vinyl stripes, I added the waterslide decals and clear coated everything.

Finally, I assembled the parachute and attached it to the screw eye with a snap swivel.

The Sky Ferry is a sharp looking rocket. ASP recommends it for a 2nd rocket and anyone with any experience building rockets can handle this one. The vinyl saved me from a lot of masking. At $25 I think this rocket is an excellent value.