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 Rocketry Product: LawnDart Rocketry - SLAT/s

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Background (2019-11-23)

I found this kit listed on Ebay: I won't be bidding on this one, I can pretty much clone it from spare parts. The instructions and full size templates are available at oldrocketplans.com: CLICK HERE ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 1, Parts (2019-11-24)

The last page of the online instructions is a detailed parts list. The body tubes are "ST" or Centuri style tubing. I'll be using heavy walled BT-50H and my Odd'l Rockets heavy wall BT-20H for the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 2, Fin Fairings (2019-11-25)

Here's a cross section drawing of the model. The instructions call the assemblies "Fin Pods". The fin fairings are interesting, made up of a three piece laminate. There are three pieces on each side ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 3, Fins (2019-11-26)

The original kit had 1/16" thick fins, the fairings was made of the three 3/32" pieces cut out earlier. I made my fins from 3/32" stock. The fin root edges fit into the slots in the fairings. I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 4, Conduit Tunnel Shaping (2019-11-28)

While the balsa fairings dry, I worked on the Conduit Tunnel. I don't have any half rounds, we'll carve one from a full dowel. Draw a center line down both (opposite) sides of the dowel. Carve ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 5, Tunnel and Fairing End Shaping (2019-11-29)

The ends of the tunnel are rounded off. On the left the sides of the tunnel are rounded with a sanding block. Draw a pencil line around the end to show the shaping depth. Carve off some of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 6, Fitting the Ramjet Pieces (2019-11-30)

I didn't use the PDF pattern to cut the ramjet tube. I just guessed the angle, drew a line and cut off a wedge. The angle was smoothed with a sanding block. Down the length of the the tube, a 3/4" ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 7, Engine Mount (2019-12-01)

I used an Odd'l Rockets heavy wall BT-20 tube for the engine mount. These tubes are thicker than a standard BT-20 and only available from JonRocket.com The inside diameter is the same as a standard ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 8, Parts Fitting (2019-12-02)

The fin fairing pieces had the balsa grain filled with CWF and sanded smooth. I wanted to shoot the pieces with filler/primer before gluing the fins in the slots. A strip of masking tape was cut a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 9, Gluing It Together (2019-12-03)

The intake half nose cone was set on the intake center line and traced. The filler/primer was scraped down to the body tube. The half nose was glued down. Notice in the left picture, the scraped ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 10, Paint and Chrome Trim (2019-12-04)

The model did get a gloss white undercoat before the overall gloss orange. I wanted to add some chrome trim like on the Odd'l Fighter Fleet models. This isn't necessary, but paint on the hook will ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Finished (2019-12-05)

I did add two more chrome stripes around the body. With only two decals on each side it needed more. I probably could have gave the Stars and Bars decal some white underneath it. The Seattle Rocket ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: LAUNCH! Orlando R.O.C.K. Monthly, December 7, 2019 (2019-12-08)

Cool weather and no wind in the morning! First up was the GOONY X-15 using a Quest German B6-4 with the shiny, silver nozzle. Clean launch with an estimated altitude of 325'. No damage at ... [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]