Model Rocket Building Blog
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S BackgroundI 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 I searched some other websites and found a build by Nick Esselman on rocketreviews.com: CLICK HERE ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 1, PartsThe 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 engine mount. The OOP kit used a balsa nose cone with four washer weights to move the C/G forward. ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 2, Fin FairingsHere'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 so cut out six in total. In the top picture is all six stacked up for uniform sanding. Two of the ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 3, FinsThe 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 cut the notches after the fin was cut out using the end of a single edge razor blade. If your blade ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 4, Conduit Tunnel ShapingWhile 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 off the back half of the dowel. Notice on the right, I didn't carve all the way to the half center ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 5, Tunnel and Fairing End ShapingThe 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 excess. Finish rounding above the pencil line with 220 grit, followed by 400. The fairings are ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 6, Fitting the Ramjet PiecesI 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" width strip was cut out using the aluminum angle. The inside edge was sanded smooth and flat. The ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 7, Engine MountI 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 BT-20. The outside diameter is a bit wider. To fit a standard 20/50 ring, the inside is slightly ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 8, Parts FittingThe 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 little wider than the slot widths. This was pressed into place, the overhand kept the filler/primer ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 9, Gluing It TogetherThe 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 line for the intake tube. I used very little glue to set the intake onto the body tube.. Here's where ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, Part 10, Paint and Chrome TrimThe 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 just bubble up after the first flight. On the finished model it just looks cleaner. TIP: First I ...[Read More]
Lawn Dart Rocketry SLAT/S Build, FinishedI 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 Works kit had 1/16" thick balsa vanes at the front end of the intake. I left them off, they'd be ...[Read More]
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