All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Streamer Duration Rocket Build, Background (2018-09-11)

In 1975 I tied for second place in Streamer Duration at NARAM 17. It was luck, I really didn't know what I was doing. If I remember correctly, it was a 13mm, A engine competition. I probably used an ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Part 1, Parts (2018-09-12)

This one was built for the Streamer Duration competition at the recent NARAM 60. Not much here -  A 9 3/4" long BT-5 tube, balsa nose cone, Kevlar shock cord, three 1/32" thick plywood fins, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Part 2, Fins (2018-09-13)

Normally I wouldn't cut fins with scissors. But this plywood is only 1/32" thick! It cuts easily if your scissors are sharp. It was fairly easy to sand an airfoil in the fins. The interior color ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Part 3, Tube Smoothing & Nose Cone Shoulder Fit (2018-09-14)

The seams on this BT-5 tube were almost non-existent. I didn't fill the seams. I did lightly sand with 220 grit and polished with 400 grit. The shoulder of the nose cone was a little wider than the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Part 4, Kevlar Notch and Paint (2018-09-15)

The fins are glued on a bit forward of the end to allow a wrap of tape for engine retention. The root edge of one fin is marked for a notch. The Kevlar line is knotted and glued on the root edge so ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Part 5, ASP Streamer (2018-09-16)

I picked a 4" X 40" streamer from ASP. This is thicker Mylar than what I am used to, it is 2 mils thick. I didn't know if the folded streamer would even fit into the BT-5 body, I could always trim ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Streamer D Rocket Build, Finished (2018-09-17)

The Kevlar line is attached through a small hole in one fin. This allows the rocket to fall horizontally adding to the overall drag and a longer duration. Notice the NAR number on the lower body. ... [Read More]