Construction

I started construction with the center tube/motor mount.  The tube I had was a little larger than a BT50.  Using a spent engine casing, I wrapped paper around it until it fit into the center tube.  I unwrapped it and rewrapped using a thin layer of glue between each wrap.  This was made long enough to accommodate an E engine and the engine block.  I glued the engine block in the sleeve and glued the sleeve into the center tube.  I then attached the engine retainer to the center tube with a couple of wraps of masking tape.  I printed the diameters of the body tube and center tube using software I downloaded from EMRR several years ago.  I used a glue stick to adhere them to the foamboard.  A sharp blade works wonders when cutting these out.  The main body tube is thin plastic and can be squishy if not supported somehow.  I decided four rings would be sufficient.  I mounted one at the bottom and one at the top of the center tube and spaced the other two at equal spaces.  Not being sure how well the foamboard would adhere to the plastic, I cut another CR out of lite ply and glued it to the bottom CR.  I attached the kevlar cord to the bottom of the top CR and glued in place.  I used a length of kevlar that extended approx. 6" past the end of the body tube.  The elastic shock cord would then be tied to the kevlar.   I inserted the center tube assembly into the main body tube.  Again, not being sure how well the ply would sitck to the plastic, I screwed the assembly to the bottom of the main body tube.

Main body tube side story:

I built a series of "Crayon" rockets from Dollar Store crayon penny banks.  The yellow was a lawn dart and smashed the nose cone beyond repair.  So I bought another one to replace the nose.  That left me with a tube and no nose.  It hit me that the LOC nose cone I had might just fit, and viola!, it did (with a few wraps of yellow duct tape).

Now on to the fins.  I transfered my patterns to a piece of cardboard using a glue stick, cut them out then traced them onto the thin plywood.  I stacked the pieces of plywood togther using double stick tape and proceeded to the scroll saw.  I gave them a good sanding and was ready for paint.  I decided to paint them prior to attaching to main body tube since it did not require paint.

I used my grandson's deflated Batman mylar balloon for the parachute.  I left it in its round shape and tied on kevlar string for the shroud lines.  I reinforced the holes with standard paper hole reinforcing rings, one on each side.  I gathered all the shroud lines and attached a swivel clip which in turn was clipped to the nose cone.  The elastic shock cord was tied to the nose cone and a dab of glue on the knot for safe keeping.