All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Semroc - MX Blue Bird Zero {Kit} (KMX-06) [2018-]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 1, Parts (2018-08-03)

The original Estes Blue Bird Zero (#1335) was introduced in 1980 and on sale through 1985. BT-55 based and tall, it stood nearly 40". The 1980 price was $6.00. This was my first purchase of the new ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 2, Engine Mount (2018-08-04)

The centering rings are laser cut from Letramax material. The laser cutting chars up the parts. Wipe off the ash before gluing anything up. The instructions say to tie a knot in the Kevlar and set ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 3, Body Tube Lengths (2018-08-05)

Step 3 says to "Take one of the body tubes" and mark it for the fins. It doesn't specify which tube to mark. Choose the shorter tube, it should be 5 1/4" long. Mine was 5 3/8" long. The upper tube ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 4, Fins (2018-08-08)

With all the NARAM coverage I wanted to get back to the MMX Blue Bird Zero - sorry about the delays! The fins are tiny and only 1/32" thick. Its good they are cut from basswood! The instructions ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 5, Fin Gluing (2018-08-09)

The body tube was marked for the fin positions earlier in Step 3. The fin alignment slots were too tight on the fins. It took a little sanding with 400 grit to widen the slots. GOTCHA: The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 6, Ends and Edges (2018-08-14)

GOTCHA: The instructions say to push the toothpick approximately half way into the nose cone. Halfway is pretty far! You could split the nose cone. You really only have to push the toothpick in ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 7, Paint and Decals (2018-08-15)

After the first white coat, there were still some rough areas especially around the fin fillets. This is what I mentioned early on - Don't glue the body tubes together until after the upper section ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Part 8, Coupler Gluing and Streamer (2018-08-16)

Run the Kevlar line through the upper, blue body tube. A line of glue was set into the upper tube and the tube slid over the coupler. The "screw eye" dowel was pushed into the nose cone base and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc MMX Blue Bird Zero Build, Finished (2018-08-17)

There was a few questions raised in the instructions. I have mentioned them to Randy at Semroc. It's interesting that a Micro Maxx downscale probably as difficult to construct as the full size ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Launch! Schoolyard Soccer Field, January 2, 2020 (2020-01-03)

Saturday's Orlando R.O.C.K. monthly launch might get rained out! I prepped some smaller models for a quick schoolyard launch. I had a Semroc MicroMaxx Blue Bird Zero ready. I can transport the ... [Read More]