All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Warped Part 1 Parts (2013-03-05)

I picked this one up at the February Orlando R.O.C.K. launch. It's originally a Custom Rockets Zero Gravity kit. I saw it in a "bargain box" at the jonrocket trailer for $5.00. But, something was ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 2 Nose Cone (2013-03-06)

The shoulder of the nose cone was out of round, but with the base inserted it is round enough to fit in the body tube with no problems. Someone at the launch suggested the warped nose cone looked ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 3 Body Tube Cuts (2013-03-06)

I honestly didn't know if this was going to work, but worse case, I'm only out $2.00, So with a new razor blade I tried to cut and "warp" the body tube - Draw a pencil line down the length of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 4 Tube Joining (2013-03-07)

Stacked up, here's the body tube segments. The tops and bottoms of the segments were numbered 1, 2 and 3 on one side and A, B, C on the other. Notice the bottom segment is longer, that will hold ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 5 Tube Joint Reinforcing (2013-03-07)

Small strips of paper were cut to make reinforcement tabs. The pieces were cut from paper a bit thicker than a standard 20 lb. copy paper. Here's what you are shooting for - This picture only ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 6 Joint Filling (2013-03-08)

All the segments glued up -  I did brush over the joints and seams with CWF. Sanding followed and then another coat of CWF. Primer followed. A few of the joint seams show very slight cracks. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 7 Fins and Decal (2013-03-09)

The original fin design from the Zero Gravity are unusual. This elliptical shape would still work with the "Warped" name with some subtle changes. The first top fin shows the kit orientation. Fin ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 8 Primer and Paint (2013-03-10)

With the first coat of primer I could see how smooth the joints were. I was a little surprised, they came out better than I thought they would. This one took two coats of primer, sanding after ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Part 9 Decals and Shock Cord Mount (2013-03-11)

I drew and printed a decal wrap to look like stylized drips. This will go along the top of the body tube to tie in the black nose cone. The wrap was applied with the black edge even with ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Warped! Finished (2013-03-12)

  This was one of the stranger builds. The angle of the upper full picture doesn't really show off the bends in the body. I like a challenge, the warped nose dictated which way I should ... [Read More]