All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Patriot {Kit} (2056) [2003-]

Model Rocket Building: Patriot Downscale Build Part 1 Parts (2011-02-01)

I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the parts all layed out! This downscaled PATRIOT will stand 11.7 " tall by .736" diameter. It flys with 1/2A3-2t, A3-4t and A10-3t engines. Here's what ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 1, Parts (2014-10-22)

Everybody has built one of these, except me! This build will be a little different. At the bottom of each post I'll be keeping track of how long I take on each step. These are my personal build ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 2, Tube Prep and Gluing (2014-10-23)

A dry fit of the white tubes showed the tubes weren't cut clean. There were enough gaps for some edge truing and sanding. The inset picture shows the same tubes after sanding square. This ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 3, 24mm Engine Mount (2014-10-24)

I'll use the heavy card stock rings that came with the kit. To enlarge it for 24mm engines: Trace around a BT-50 tube. I used a heavy walled BT-50. After you trace the line, look at it closely to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 4, 24mm Engine Mount (2014-10-25)

This 24mm mount will have a replaceable Kevlar line. The small holes are punched for the Kevlar tube. On the right the larger circle is for the engine hook movement. In addition there are lines ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 5, Coupler Bulkhead (2014-10-26)

I'm using the yellow section as a altimeter and payload section. I'll have to make a coupler with bulkhead out of the second red coupler. The red coupler fit can be tight so the edge that ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 6, Coupler Bulkhead (2014-10-27)

The matte board disk was punched for the shock cord tie. In the center a rectangular second piece was glued on for more support. The disk was glued over the top edge of the coupler. Any ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 7, Nose Cone Prep (2014-10-28)

There's not a lot of length in the payload compartment. The nose cone base will be opened up. It's important to leave the tie down lug on the nose cone base. I like to tie a line so if the nose ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 8, Tube Primer and Fin Marking (2014-10-29)

On the left is the lower tube joint below the center of the launch lug. The joint seam was already sanded smooth and filled with CWF and sanded again. After that some medium CA was applied with a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 9, Fin Alignment and Gluing (2014-10-30)

The fins are to be set 3/16" up from the rear of the tube. Using the fin root to mark the edge length. The primer was roughed up and most all of it sanded off the line between the top and bottom ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 10, Decal Draw (2014-10-31)

The "decals" are peel and stick. The cut line around the roll pattern bars won't be very noticeable. But around the "U.S. ARMY" and the long oval decal is some clear borders. You'll be able to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 11, White Undercoats and Mask (2014-11-01)

Here's the entire model going through white undercoats. Under the light you can see the surface after wet sanding. All I do is just take off the tops of any orange peel. With the high spots ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 12, Red Paint Ridge and Roll Pattern Plan (2014-11-02)

This is the low end red paint after the Scotch tape mask was pulled. There is a slight paint ridge. The ridge was carefully wet sanded so it wouldn't show up under the black vinyl wrap. In the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 13, Roll Patterns (2014-11-03)

Taken from the cut lines on the stick-on sheet, all the roll pattern bars are 5/8" wide. The thin bar closest to the launch lug is there for front placement only and will be removed. You ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 14, Shock Cord Ties (2014-11-04)

The shock cord attachment is different on this one. The lower body shock cord is 1/4" wide and loops through the punched holes in the top of the coupler disk. On the left is the view from the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Patriot Build #2056, Part 15, Decals and Finished (2014-11-05)

  The home print water slide decals went on without any problems. I don't know how close it is to scale, it's a clean design just the same. This one got some upgrades -  A ... [Read More]

Rocketeer's Corner: Warm December launch at Pegasus... (2017-12-03)

(Warning - this is a long post with many pictures) Some of the activity at Pegasus field this Saturday; the Jurassic TARC team is in the foreground (Click to enlarge). ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Downscale Carded Estes Patriot (2010-12-01)

Here's the newest Carded Downscale: The Estes P A T R I O T It's build around a BT-20 airframe and stands 11 5/8" tall. A printed body wrap and carded fins eliminate all painting except for the ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Recycled Expendable Launch System (2013-09-18)

Recycled Expendable Launch System 003 , a photo by rstaff3 on Flickr. This is yet another rocket built from junk parts inherited from Paul Miller (who bailed to Arizona). I am ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: For Patreon Members - Available Carded Model PDFs! (2020-08-03)

Here's a list of Carded Model (Downscale) PDFs available to Patreon Members - Decal PDFs will be on a upcoming post DOWNSCALE CARDED MODELS Centuri Astro 1.pdf    (BT-5 size) Centuri ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: Launch Date: April 17th, 2023 (2023-04-20)

Great weather conditions in Castle Rock this past Monday marked the first group launch of 2023 among members of our ever-growing Front Range rocketry 'gang'. This day I was joined at Founders Park ... [Read More]