All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Aerospace Specialty Products - Corporal {Kit} (KCOR-18)

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 1, Parts (2014-07-19)

  I haven't built many of the ASP (Aerospace Specialty Products) kits except for two of their Micro Maxx models. I've always liked the looks of the Corporal. This is a BT-50 based, 18mm ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 2, New Kevlar Knot (2014-07-20)

First up you are instructed to tie a loop knot in the upper end of the Kevlar. This loop will tie to the elastic shock cord. Usually I tie an overhand square knot to make the attachment loop. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2014-07-21)

The engine mount now includes an engine hook. An instruction addendum is included, the picture is at the right. The instructions are a little vague saying the centering rings are glued between ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 4, Engine Mount and Fins (2014-07-22)

The instructions say the Kevlar should be 11 3/4" from the top of the engine mount to the tied loop. This would put the upper loop end right over the top of the body tube. I made the Kevlar line ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 5, Tunnel Shaping (2014-07-23)

The tunnel pieces are cut to size. The 3/16" square pieces are cut to 8 1/4" long. The two 1/8" square sticks are cut to 4 1/2" long. The tops are rounded off. Initial shaping as done with 220 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 6, Nose Section and Clay Weight (2014-07-24)

The ends of the nose block were a bit rough. On the right is the before, the inset picture shows the end block after being cleaned up with 220 grit on a block. The edges were rounded by hand ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 7, Tunnel Contour Fit Sanding (2014-07-25)

The bottoms of the 3/16" tunnels are too flat to fit the curve of the body tube. Some 220 grit was wrapped around a BT-20, a smaller tube than the BT-50 tube supplied in the kit. TIP: Sometimes ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 8, Engine Mount Gluing (2014-07-26)

It's hard to see in the picture but there was a small crease on one end of the tube. If I glue a fin over it, it will strengthen the tube and hide the crease. When marking the fin lines, I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 9, Primer and Fin Placement (2014-07-27)

After the two launch lugs were glued in place, both got Titebond M&TG fillets. Look close at the upper section. There is a ring where the dried glue shrunk and pulled in the body tube. It's ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 10, Fins and Tunnels (2014-07-29)

With a fin overhanging the tube end by 5/8", a piece of paper was taped around the tube to line up the front ends of the fins. Beside the root edge of the fin you can see the sanded white gluing ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 11, White Paint & Trim (2014-07-30)

After the primer, the model was shot with Rustoleum 2X Gloss white. With Florida Summer humidity, It took three days to dry. Wet sanding with 400 grit followed and the heavier finish coat. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 12, Vinyl Trim (2014-07-31)

It took two tries to get the wrap in line so don't press anything down until you are sure. You'll have to peel back the starting edge to finish off the end. The wrap was set down fairly ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Build, Part 13, Vinyl Trim Between Fins (2014-08-01)

I didn't cut out the "lower decal" template. I extended the outside borders with pencil lines and used as a guide to cut the vinyl squares. The template and black vinyl were both taped down for ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: ASP Corporal Finished (2014-08-02)

  This is a good looking model, the trim really sets it off with clean sharp lines. I was impressed by how well the upper roll pattern fit, a perfect match. The 1/16" basswood fins are ... [Read More]