All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Quest OOP Nike Smoke Build Part 1 (2010-07-16)

I've always liked the Nike Smoke with it's clean, rakish lines. That long nose cone and fluorescent fins really set it off. The parts available from Quest are very reasonable. The Nike nose cone is ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest OOP Nike Smoke Build Part 2 (2010-07-16)

The original instruction specs say the rocket is 19.5" long. The plastic nose cone is 8 3/8" exposed. The fin can is 2.5" tall. For everything to add up to the overall length of 19.5", I cut some ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest OOP Nike Smoke Build Part 3 (2010-07-17)

Here's the fin can as it came out of the box. It's pretty clean, except for the edges. All four fins will have to be squared up with a sanding block. To make it easier, I'll mask and paint it off ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest OOP Nike Smoke Build Part 4 (2010-07-17)

Two strips were cut off the Popsicle stick, 3/16" X 1 1/2" The original Nike Smoke kit had a thick plastic lug measuring 1 1/2" long. Both were glued together with white glue. Clothespin clamps held ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest OOP Nike Smoke Build Part 5 (2010-07-18)

Just to test paint adhesion on the plastic, I lightly sprayed the fin can with gray primer and let it dry. I stuck masking tape down on the dried paint and pulled the tape off quickly. I didn't lift ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 6 (2010-07-18)

Those bright orange centering rings won't look great on a scale model. Well, if on any rocket, the orange might go along with the fluorescent red and yellow fins on the Nike Smoke! Still, I didn't ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 7 (2010-07-20)

The nose cone replacement came quickly from Quest. When I joined the two sides there was a pretty evident seam. I don't know if it's an old piece of plastic or an old mold. There was a warp and the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 8 (2010-07-20)

Here you can see the deep seams down the sides of the nose cone. I'm going to fill the seams the same way I did the scratches on the fin can. Before filling, I used 220 grit sandpaper on a block, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 9 (2010-07-21)

That dried CA is very hard and will take some careful sanding with 220 grit on a block, followed by 400 grit. While sanding the CA down to the seams I took a little off the plastic "transitional" ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 10 (2010-07-21)

Here's the nose cone sprayed white and finished. One of the filled seams is facing the camera, right above and next to the light relection. Filling the seams was a more work than I would have liked ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 11 (2010-07-22)

This is a complicated fin mask. With all the angled tapering at the root edge and the ends, there is eight masking lines on each fin. Or to put it another way, each fin will have eight pieces of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 12 (2010-07-25)

Here's the complete mask, ready for the fluorescent Red/Orange. As I mentioned before, this is a complex mask. It required twenty pieces of Scotch tape just around the fin root edges. On top of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Build Part 13 (2010-07-25)

Here's the dry fit, awaiting the stenciled "UNITED STATES" decal. The decal has been drawn up on Corel Draw. I'm waiting on another project so I can print for two rockets on one decal sheet. After ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: OOP Quest Nike Smoke Finished! Decals (2010-08-22)

I finally printed off the Nike Smoke decals today. Usually I'll wait until a few models are ready for decals, three rockets were combined on one sheet so there wasn't much waste. The decals were ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Thoughts on Nike Smoke Fins (2016-06-08)

I don't have the new Estes BT-60 based Nike Smoke kit yet, I don't even know if I'll get it or not. On oldrocketplans.com they have the old Centuri Nike Smoke instructions with a fin scan and ruler. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Shaping Estes Nike Smoke Fins, Part 1 (2016-06-09)

I probably won't be doing a full build on the new Estes Nike Smoke. It's a standard build except for the scale fin shaping. These following posts will focus on the fins. Mentioned earlier, the older ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Shaping Estes Nike Smoke Fins, Part 2 (2016-06-10)

You can't effectively shape fins like this with a sheet of sandpaper taped down to your work table. You've got to use a good sanding block. I have 220 grit stuck to my Great Planes E-Z Sander. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Shaping Estes Nike Smoke Fins, Part 3 (2016-06-11)

After the root to outside edge taper is done the leading and trailing edges are hit with a quick swipe of the black marker. The inset picture shows the pencil lines for the next tapers. On the root ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Shaping Estes Nike Smoke Fins, Part 4, Primer Filler (2016-06-12)

On a shaped fin like this one, each step helps define the sanded edge taper. The first shaping step is the balsa fin shaping with 220 grit on a block. The second step is the sanding of the CWF. ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Nike Smoke Videos (2016-10-18)

I fought off a cold last week, and then on Saturday I had a big launch to attend, so I took some time off from building and #Rocketober posting. But I've finished a couple videos in the mean ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Randy Gilbert's Nike Smoke Fins (2016-10-26)

From the NAR Facebook page, Randy Gilbert responded to a post on the Estes Nike Smoke -  "It is a great kit, but the fins can be difficult to sand to shape. There are other ways to mimic the ... [Read More]

Shroudlines: Where There's Smoke... (2017-01-05)

This week I decided to show you another member of the "to be built pile" that I picked up a few months ago at the local Hobby Lobby. The Estes Nike Smoke!   This is the 1/10 scale ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Nike Smoke Comparisons (2017-03-16)

I first saw the Centuri Nike Smoke in the 1971 Centuri Catalog. At the time it was big, 23.65" tall. The airframe was an ST-16 at 1.64" diameter. I never built this version. Estes recently released ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 1, Parts (2017-03-17)

This is one everybody should have in their fleet. Classic and pointy. I've had different versions of the Nike Smoke over the years, first was the Enerjet Nike Smoke (essentially the Centuri Nike kit ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 2, The Enerjet Smoking Nose Cone (2017-03-18)

The original Enerjet Nike Smoke had a smoking nose cone. To see how it was done - CLICK HERE The tip of the nose cone was cut off and a BT-5 was slipped in acting as a ram-jet. During boost, the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 3, The Enerjet Smoking Nose Cone (2017-03-19)

I used my aluminum angle to get side slot sides straight. The short end cuts were made by punching the tops and bottoms with a sharp blade tip. Punch the top corner with the sharp side down. Turn ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 4, The Enerjet Smoking Nose Cone (2017-03-20)

Two holes are drilled into the nose cone base for a shock cord loop tie. Start the hole by spinning the tip of a #11 blade in the plastic. Use an older blade, this really dulls a new one. The hole ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 5, Fin Observations (2017-03-21)

Look at the low end of the fin and you can see the lighter wood tip. Some kit wood is pieced together from smaller strips. The problem is the differences in the different wood densities. It becomes ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 6, New, Harder Fins (2017-03-22)

I've described how to shape this style fin in the past on the blog: http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2016/06/shaping-estes-nike-smoke-fins-part-1.html http://modelrocketbuilding.blog ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 7, 24mm Engine Mount (2017-03-23)

I'm making two Nike Smoke kits, one with the standard 18mm engine mount, the other with a 24mm mount with the Enerjet smoking nose cone. First up is the 24mm engine mount. I used the kits 18mm ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 8, 24mm Engine Mount (2017-03-24)

I saved the ring centers from the previous step. This will become the engine block for the 24mm engine mount. These were glued together, back to back. The notches were not lined up. Here's the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 9, 18mm Engine Mount (2017-03-25)

The lower centering ring is recessed inside the body tube. I can go ahead and give the inside edge a coat of CA glue. The glue fillet around the lower ring will be above the CA glue ring. TIP: When ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 10, Chute Lines and Launch Lugs (2017-03-26)

Here we go again! I gave the shroud lines a light, quick tug and they broke too easily. I've seen broken shroud lines at club launches. These will be replaced, along with the paper reinforcement ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 11, Ends and Edges (2017-03-26)

On the left is the longer Estes nose cone shoulder. The pencil mark shows how long the Centuri nose cone shoulder was. The inset picture shows the original slot cut at 1" above the tube end. The new ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 12, Fin Gluing TIP (2017-03-27)

On the left is the fin root edge, looking straight on. The inset picture shows the fin outside edge looking straight on. The back corner of the fins are glued on 5/8" up from the back edge of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 13, Fluorescent Paint (2017-03-28)

The entire model - fins, tube and nose cone - got an overall coat of gloss white. Next up are the fins. three are fluorescent red-orange the fourth fin is fluorescent yellow. These diamond shaped ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 14, Fluorescent Paint (2017-03-29)

Well, Estes did get the position of the one fluorescent yellow fin correct. With the real rocket horizontal in the cradle, the UNITED STATES is positioned below and to the right of the yellow ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 15, Which Fluorescent Paint? TIPS (2017-03-30)

Questions in a comment from BAR Geezer - Hey Chris, Two questions for you: 1. Are you using Rustoleum Specialty Fluorescent paint? 2. Was the base coat on the fins the same gloss white as the rest ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Part 16, Decals (2017-03-31)

The Estes instructions show the bottom of the UNITED STATES at 6 1/4" from the rear of the body tube. I did a dry fit and that sets the decal too far forward. Looking at the Peter Alway's Rockets Of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Nike Smoke #7247 Build, Finished (2017-04-01)

The rubber shock cord was switched out with a longer elastic cord. It was joined to the replaceable Kevlar line from the engine mount. The parachute shroud lines broke with an easy ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Design, buy parts, and build or buy a kit and build? (2008-04-08)

In 2002 I began considering designs for a level 3 attempt.  Then I bought RockSim and in May of 2006 started designing "Tercero 2": However when I considered the costly and piecemeal ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Starting the Nike Smoke build... (2008-04-09)

First thing's first.  I typically start by sanding the fins but my Delta sander is barely long enough to accomplish this task!: One important note is that I'm both builder and ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: CAD learning curve is steep! (2008-04-19)

I just spent about three hours in Vectorworks assembling this CAD version of the Nike Smoke kit. My intent was to show some of the internal connectivity then add details later but I think I'm giving ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Steve Eves' Saturn V ROCKED Maryland's Eastern Shore (2009-04-25)

After testing the winds with a 'tiny' Nike Smoke on a J350, Steve Eves' Saturn was launched into the beautiful Maryland skies at around 1PM local. The central 'P' and eight 'N' motors (that's 'R' ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: PB2k9: 7.5" Nike Smoke on M1939 (2009-11-12)

For my 2008 birthday present my parents kicked in half of the cost of an Aerotech M1939 motor. They drove all the way out from Cochise, AZ for last year's Plaster Blaster which was almost completely ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Smoking Nike Smoke nose cone (2009-11-17)

Along with my MLAS kits, I picked up a couple of Nike Smoke cones and some T35 tubing.  Rokitflite gave me some fin cans a while back and I finally decided to get some compatible parts. The ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Smoking Nike Smoke nose cone - cont'd (2009-11-18)

Here's how the Enerjet Nike Smoke cone worked. --^ I removed the tip of the Quest cone and reamed it so an Estes launch lug will fit.  I will adapt the lug to a slightly larger tube to recreate ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Nike Smoke cone work (and other stuff) (2009-11-28)

After two days of eating and visiting with family, I ventured back down to the Dungeon.  First up was priming my Hostile Projectiles V2.  I chose Rustoleum red-brown primer since it would ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: V-2 status (and other stuff) (2009-11-29)

Well, a little sanding and a re-coat did the trick.  Trying to sand the base of the cone actually lifted all the primer.  I sanded the exposed areas good before the re-priming.  My ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Repair day (2010-04-10)

After finishing my taxes today I decided to repair several ailing rockets despite needing to build/finish several others. First off I fixed the 4" bullet after an early I366 Redline flight with yet ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Mini-flood of reviews (2010-04-11)

EMRR's latest update includes three of my reviews:  Hostile Projectiles Delta X-15 , Nike Smoker , and the BMS Astron Invader .  That leaves 2 more on the pile.  I'm still never going ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: My initial PMFL line up (updated) (2010-05-24)

With the announcement of the P aul M iller F arewell L aunch at the next MDRA launch on June 26th, I wanted to grab a quick photo of my Paul Miller Recycled Fleet. Left-to-right and back-to-front: ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Finding the speed of Quest plastic (2010-07-07)

Not long ago, I decided to fly all my 'collectable' motors.  Next up is a G125-15.  I think I'll put it in my 29mm Quest Nike Smoke .  I'm going to try to restrain myself and keep ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Building three simultaneously = efficiency! (2010-12-26)

I'm taking advantage of my two-week break from work to complete construction on: 4" Extreme DarkStar - This was my gift to myself this year after seeing KO's success with the all-fiberglass kit. I've ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Review: The Whole Enchilada (2010-12-28)

The Whole Enchilada "The rocket that is the meal!" The idea for The Whole Enchilada came into being one Sunday afternoon while cleaning out the frig. We had leftover tortillas that had ... [Read More]

AKS Rockets: Arreaux/Christmas launch (2011-01-01)

For Christmas I got a Rms 29/40-120 reload case, a G76-7G reload, an Aerotech Arreaux mid power kit and a mid power Nike smoke. On Christmas day I started putting together the Arreaux (pronounced ... [Read More]

AKS Rockets: Mid power Nike Smoke (2011-01-17)

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Simon and I got a Cosmodrome Nike Smoke for Christmas. It's heavenly building from a kit and not scratch building because everything is there and I don't have to ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Lagger: Plaster City 1/1/11 Launch Report (2011-01-21)

The coolness of the date of this launch was exceeded only by the complete lack of wind and excellent flying conditions all day. The primary reason for this delayed report is that I was trying to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Model Profile OOP MPC Nike Patriot (2011-01-21)

This rocket was introduced to the MPC line in 1970. The same design was sold through Quest as the Nike K for many years. It stands 22.5" tall with the lower body tube diameter at 1.340" or 35mm. The ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Reviews: Three Nike Smoke-like objects (2011-01-27)

This post describes: a Quest Nike Smoke modified for 29mm motors; a cloned, stretched Smoke with a functional nose cone; and some Nike Smoke parts merged with a Tiny Tim booster. Nike Smoke (29mm) ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: And... FINISHED!! (2011-01-30)

Today I finished primary assembly of the Extreme DarkStar (right) and there's the final Nike Smoke my parents bought for me (left). [Update: While I was authoring this entry I figured out they'd ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Plaster City Launch - Feb. 2011 (2011-02-07)

We benefitted from yet another late-winter, wind-free launch in the Imperial desert this last weekend. We're tremendously lucky to live in SoCal. I decided to be a Luddite and fly only motor ejection ... [Read More]

AKS Rockets: March sport launch (2011-04-20)

Really great launch. Weather was perfect, hardly any cloud coverage, low winds. We flew our Cosmodrome Nike smoke on a F52 Blue thunder. It was a great flight but the parachute didn't come out. The ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Estes Pro Series Nike Smoke to debut (2011-10-12)

There are posts about this forthcoming kit both on TRF and YORF .  It will debut at the iHobby show in Chicago in about a week.  Specs: 29mm mount, F26 to G80 motors, 41.75" tall, 3" ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Tampa TTRA Launch November 19. 2011 (2011-11-21)

I almost didn't go to the Tampa TTRA launch today. I had a evening show scheduled and realized the venue was only ten miles from the TTRA site! So, it was a launch in the afternoon then banjos at ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Lucerne - December 2011 launch report (2011-12-30)

Despite the cold morning it was sunny and clear most of the day with essentially zero wind.  Every once in awhile Madre Nature gives back. For awhile now I've been wanting to fly the AT I59 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Nike Tomahawk - Another "One Day" Build (2012-04-05)

I was looking through an old AVI catalog on Ninfinger's: HERE and ran across the old Nike Tomahawk kit. The specs say it's a 35mm below and a 20mm body tube above. It looks to be a composite of the ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Building again! (2012-04-29)

On the left Megan's kindly rebuilding my Madcow 4" Nike Smoke. Middle is my DarkStar "Heavy Duty" motor tube assembly. Right is the booster tube for my upcoming 2000MPH president's challenge on a ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Links roundup (2012-05-21)

Bi-liquid Success at Copenhagen Suborbitals , Wired Science (5/21, von Bengtson) - Report and photo of the static test of their TM65 LOX/alcohol engine. Gallery: Andrews Air Show , DCist ... [Read More]

AKS Rockets: What adhesive should I use? Part 1 (2012-05-29)

Building bigger and bigger rockets requires stronger and stronger adhesives. Many of the glues I used in LPR arn't suitable for high power applications. Over the past few years ive gained experience ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Coming Soon from Estes (2012-06-23)

There are plenty of kits coming soon on the Estes website: http://www.estesrockets.com/ On the left is the JETLINER, a Goony style model. According to the description, it'll reach 150' with an ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Building another expendable rocket (updated, photo added) (2012-09-08)

Early in the 2000's, I built a lot of small, minimum or near-minimum diameter rockets to fly on G motors. My love for these expendable rockets started with the Rocket Vision Mach Buster .  I ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: ROCKETS Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 4 (2013-04-17)

This issue contains a nice variety of articles, along with a products section compiled/written by yours truly.  First, East-Coaster Alan Whitmore describes how to build a snap-ring ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Simple YouTube G185 video posting... FAIL... URE!! (2013-07-10)

I've tried, for several weeks now by the way, to post an excitified version of a simple CTI G185 Vmax liftoff video to YouTube.  In summary: DENIED.  No idea why.  Instead here's a ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: My flyable fleet (2013-10-10)

After seeing ~1/10 of Dave Bucher's huge fleet on Facebook, I thought I'd snapshot mine, which consists of a paltry 233 birds. First sort criteria is a column that's not showing, breaking the list ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Roctober, M2045: "...and when I get to one you push that button!" (2013-10-26)

It's been several months since I've flown so... feeling blog-rusty.  I attended Roctober at Lucerne Dry Lake on 10/12/13 and let's jump right into my first 7388M2045 Blue Streak ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Hard To Find Scale Colors (2013-10-28)

If you've ever made a Nike Smoke, to paint the fins you'll need: Fluorescent Yellow and Fluorescent  Red / Orange I had already bought the Rustoleum Fluorescent Orange at Home Depot. I ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Plaster Blaster 2013 for the win! (2013-11-10)

What an amazing weekend with perfect weather and record attendance at Plaster Blaster!  I was grateful that my parents trekked from Cochise, AZ and they were the icing on the desert cake. ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: The Dungeon's Top 10 of 2013 (2013-12-24)

Here is my annual list of things (mostly rocket related) that made me happy and captured my imagination. As usual, in no particular order: 1. Estes released the 29mm E16 and F15 BP motors. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Stiletto Build Part 1, Parts (2014-02-19)

Here's a great Shrox design introduced in the 2010 Quest catalog. I understand Shrox likes conical pointy nose cones, the older MPC Nike Smoke nose cone is used here. This design also used a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Stiletto Build Part 4, Parts Prep (2014-02-22)

You'll definitely want to sand the laser cut edges on the fins. Here is the root edge on a wing. For some reason the middle of the root edge was cut inside the the hold down tabs. After sanding a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Stiletto Build Part 14, Sands and Preps (2014-03-04)

This post is a mixed bag. From the back end you get an idea of Shrox designs, certainly not a four fin model with the fins spaced at an even 90 degrees. (Yeah, I know - there are five fins here.) ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Stiletto Build Part 15, Nose Cone Paint Solution (2014-03-05)

I'm jumping ahead to the nose cone paint . . . You are given two choices on painting the nose cone. Step 20 has you paint both halves separately then glue them together. (The copy says Step 19 - 22, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest Stiletto Build Finished! (2014-03-11)

  This is a BIG model, probably under powered with a C6 engine. Like the earlier Quest Aerospace One, this one will fly with 24mm engines. After some weight comparisons with an 18mm ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Launch Report 2014-7 (2014-05-17)

Location: MDRA, Central Sod Farm Weather: mid-60's, sunny, wind ~5mph Total flights: Today - 10; YTD - 51 Total motors: Today - 10; YTD - 43 Motors by class YTD: Water-13, MMX-1, A-3, B-2, C-7, D-6, ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Fixed the Nike Smoke 29mm (2014-06-03)

At the last MDRA launch, two of the fins on the plastic fin can snapped off at the root. I had considered it to be retired but decided to fix it up after all. While liquid plastic cement seemed to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Mike K's Nike Fake Smoke (2014-06-09)

On TRF, Kramer714 posted pics of the best design I'd seen in quite a while - Real Fake Nike Smoke "Me and the boy worked up a project for ROCstock. This year year is going to be a Nike Smoke mass ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Launch Report 2014-8 (2014-06-22)

Location: MDRA, Central Sod Farm Weather: high of 80, cloudy  changing  to clear, wind 0-5 Total flights: Today - 10; YTD - 61 Total motors: Today - 6; YTD - 49 Motors by class YTD: ... [Read More]

Rich's Rockets: Estes price cuts (2014-10-07)

Just spotted these price reductions on the Estes web site: Pro Series II Mega Der Red Max $70 down from $90 Pro Series II Nike Smoke $50 down from $80 Pro Series II E2X Prowler Launch Set $80 down ... [Read More]

Greg Smith's Blog: Back in it on the Lucerne tip (2014-10-12)

I'm sad to report that I hadn't burned a single molecule of ammonium perchlorate since November 2013.  Many factors including the FAA arbitrarily denying the SD club's waiver renewal (after 10 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ModelRockets.US Instructions (2015-02-09)

I like seeing a sample of kit instructions before buying a kit. Sometimes I won't buy a model if the instructions aren't good. I found this page showing the instructions for the ModelRockets.US ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: The Shelf Queens (2015-03-26)

  In a comment, Jim asked to see some other models in the fleet.   Here's the Shelf Queens, the models that don't fly! (Yes, they are in a kitchen cabinet. I'm single and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Krylon Disappoints - Again! (2015-05-01)

Months back I searched everywhere for fluorescent red-orange and found it at Lowe's. It was Krylon, a brand I rarely use. No other brand I found had the red-orange color. The can is new, never ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Estes Pro Series II - Introduction (2015-08-16)

Last week, I got a delivery from Estes. They've had sales going on practically all summer, so it's been a good way to pick up some deals. I had hoped to buy another Leviathan, one of Estes' Pro ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Estes Pro Series II - Ventris (Decisions) (2015-08-24)

Click here for the Pro Series II introduction . Here is the Ventris. First step, of course, is to check all the parts. The fins are made of 1/8 inch plywood, and they're nice and large. ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Estes Pro Series II - Nike Smoke (Decisions) (2015-09-07)

Click here for the Pro Series II introduction. Click here for Ventris  The Nike Smoke rocket was a NASA sounding rocket used during the 1960's. A Nike Smoke being prepared ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest For The Cure Rocket (2015-09-16)

From the Quest website: CLICK HERE "Quest Aerospace is proud to announce the release of the Q4C model rocket kit. The Q4C kit was designed in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Current Rocketry Projects (2015-10-23)

In most of my blog posts, I put a little note with a link to my Facebook page . I'm currently adding lots of photos and stuff to the Facebook page, including a launch photos album and a current ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Nike / Evader? (2016-02-15)

Sometimes the burst mode on a cheaper camera can distort the images. That's why so many of my posted launch shots haven't cleared the launcher. On the left is my MPC / Quest Nike Smoke on a Quest ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Estes Kit? (2016-04-28)

I don't know what this is . . . When you go to the Estes website and look at the Upcoming Nike Smoke kit, this comes up as the parts picture. CLICK HERE and go to "Additional Images". That is a ... [Read More]

Rocketeer's Corner: A great Memorial Day weekend! (2016-05-31)

A high power rocket blasts off from the away pad as racks of smaller rockets await their turn (Click to enlarge). Well, the National Association of Rocketry's National Sport Launch (NSL) 2016 has ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Mystery Parts Kit - Solved! (2016-06-21)

A while back, Estes posted these parts for the upcoming Nike Smoke kit. These aren't the right parts and many speculated what they were for. I took a guess and came up with this - To me, not my ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Current Projects #2 (2016-08-19)

I haven't posted anything on this blog in about two weeks. Apologies to my regular readers, particularly if you've been waiting for the most recent installment of the Rocket Camp series of posts. I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Hobby Lobby Resets (2016-08-22)

Hobby Lobby is resetting the rocket shelves with some new Estes products. Many of last years kits were on clearance at 40% off. It looks like they are keeping some standard fare next year, including ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: Nice Hobby Lobby Haul (2017-08-20)

Last week I stopped by the local Hobby Lobby, clutching a 40% of coupon in hand, to pur chase an Estes Mercury Redstone kit. To my delight, I also found a couple of other kits marked at 40% ... [Read More]

Rocketeer's Corner: Keepin' busy... (2020-08-21)

So Pegasus field is still not mowed... Weeds up to your waist make it kind of hard to fly rockets, so it looks like that will have to wait until the first HARA launch of the 2020-2021 flying season. ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Many Pictures, Few Words - My 2020 In Rocketry (2020-12-22)

  The moment you realize you're not going to find the rocket you lost sight of over the tree line... Start the post with an obvious fact you have to mention because it would be weird not to, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: NARCON Manufacturers Forum (2021-01-30)

The "virtual" NARCON is actually a great value at $25.00, considering you usually pay for  gas, hotel and food.  The Zoom style broadcast had some issues. T he format is fairly new to all ... [Read More]

Rocketeer's Corner: Estes culls the herd... (2021-02-14)

The 2021 Estes catalog is now out - there are some pretty cool things in there, like an upscale, 24mm powered Mars Snooper (super excited about this!), a rather strange looking addition to the Space ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: How to Transport Model Rockets to a Lauch (2021-11-29)

I see a lot of posts on rocketry forums asking how people transport rockets to the launch site. My solution is pretty simple - a large cardboard box. I have a few of these lying around of various ... [Read More]