| Model rockets should never be built with materials | | | | be the only place you can find 'educator' sets. |
| such as PVC tubing and rocket engines should not | | | | They would include a starter kit and 12 skills level |
| be attached to anything that is not designed to | | | | one rocket. Usually 'Yankees', another good |
| be powered by them. This is extremely | | | | starter rocket and should be about $4 a rocket. |
| dangerous. The materials should be something | | | | The last thought that comes to mind is your local |
| that will disintegrate if it impacts something. Paper, | | | | hobby store. Tell them what you are doing and |
| balsawood or thin plastics. | | | | most 'mom and pop' hobby stores should give |
| I also don't think attaching motors to your RC | | | | you a pretty good price. Este's rockets I think are |
| truck would do much if anything, but be | | | | the best kits for beginners. They seem to have a |
| dangerous. If your RC truck weighs anywhere | | | | better fit and finish to them. Remember the skill |
| near what my sons does the engine might not | | | | level one rockets are going to need glue (both |
| even move it. Again, it is very dangerous and you | | | | white and model glue), paint, and maybe sand |
| shouldn't attempt it. | | | | paper. |
| I know these are not the answers you are hoping | | | | I would think it would be reliable. Just as any |
| for, but there is a reason they require 'adult | | | | staged rocket, the distance from one engine to |
| supervision' when launching rockets. They can be | | | | the next would be the biggest variable that would |
| dangerous if they are not used as they are | | | | affect 'light off'. But, I do not have a lot of |
| designed. Model rocket kits have been design to | | | | experience with staged rockets. My launch sites |
| be safe. Checking the CB/CP and many other | | | | are not big enough for safe recovery. My only |
| things. Putting things on any rocket that is not | | | | experiences with staged rockets are with C |
| design for it could cause serious injures. | | | | engines. I have never had a failure with one stage |
| Rocket bodies are very difficult to make. I have | | | | lighting the next. |
| only heard of one person successfully making one. | | | | These have been Este's kits; I have not designed |
| What he had done was to grease a stick that he | | | | one myself. On the other hand, Estes does not |
| wanted as an inside diameter of the tube. Then | | | | make and E' engine booster, that I know of. |
| wrapped that stick with brown craft paper | | | | There might be a reason for that. Might be an |
| soaked in white glue. Let it set for a few days | | | | altitude issue, maybe a light off issue or a weight |
| and slid the stick out. Nose cones are hard if you | | | | to thrust issue? |
| don't have a lathe. Trying to get them | | | | Model rockets have an ejection charge that will |
| symmetrical would be difficult. The nose cone and | | | | push the nose cone and parachute or streamer |
| fins are usually made out of balsa wood or plastic. | | | | out. In a tumble recovery rocket, the ejection |
| Larger rockets will use plywood for the fins. Body | | | | charge will push the engine casing out the back of |
| tubes are always some form of a paper | | | | the rocket making the rocket unstable and it will |
| cardboard tube. | | | | tumble back to the ground. This ejection charge is |
| Depending on how you want to run your launches. | | | | timed from the end of the propulsion phase, |
| If you are only going to need one or two launch | | | | which is what shoots the rocket upwards. |
| pads and launch controls, Wal-Mart is your best | | | | If you look at the numbers on a model rocket |
| bet for 'Starter' kits ($20). They will include | | | | engine like an Estes A8-3. The A8 tells you how |
| everything you need for your first launch but | | | | much impulse power it has and how long it will |
| batteries. Usually the rockets in the starter kits | | | | burn. The '3' tells you that 3 seconds after it |
| are pre built or need very little assembly. If you | | | | finishes burning the propulsion phase, it will pop the |
| want the campers to build their rockets, look for | | | | ejection charge. The reason it doesn't pop right |
| skill level one kits. | | | | after it's done burning the propulsion phase is the |
| The 'Alpha' has been around for 30+ years is | | | | rocket can be traveling at 300mph and the little |
| simple to build and is very stable. It used to be | | | | plastic parachute would rip off. Also the rocket |
| the rocket everyone started with. If you are in | | | | continues to fly higher because of momentum. |
| need for a lot of kits try EBay. EBay seems to | | | | |