Here is your very own DIY model rocket!... in need of a paint job! Note the red circle where I have added a guidance system, a.k.a. a small piece of paper or plastic straw, hot glued between the fuselage and a fin. The guidance system fits over the launch pad's medal needle to guarantee a straight line liftoff. (More will be said about this later.)
The only limits to adding paint to the rocket is your imagination! Keep in mind that for every increase in the intricacy of color splashing there is a corresponding increase in the level of angst if your artistic masterpiece drifts into a bird's nest in a tall deciduous tree! At least the birds and the occasional squirrel can marvel at it! You can to with a pair of good binoculars!
There is something to be said for adding spray paint to your model rocket. However, spray painting can be time consuming, messy, and not to mention a little toxic. So why not settle for the tried and true method of brush + acrylics? After two or more coats, you won't be disappointed! Adding multiple paint coats to the nose cone will also add a measure of strength.
Ready for launch!
Now that you have had a sneak peak of what the launch ready rocket will look like, I will reel the steps back a little. Keep in mind that model rocketry is an outdoor sport, even though the launch ready photo, above, is depicted indoors. Fortunately, the launch safety pin was set to disconnect the launch circuit! An indoor launch could mean serious injury and significant property damage, and your parents will not be impressed.
For the final stretch, let's begin with the rocket engine and detonator, pictured below. (These are the only two pieces of equipment that are not part of the DIY experience.)
Getting ready for launch means that you have purchased a few engines and detonators, as pictured above. Insert the rocket engine into the engine housing of your rocket, bend the detonator, inserting it into the engine, and spreading the two prongs. Hold the detonator in place with a piece of scotch tape.
While a commercially produced launch system looks nice, and comes with a safety pin to disengage the launch circuit, you can also simply DIY the entire launch assembly. All you need is a straightened coat hanger, stuck in the ground, two wires, joined together, that can be split apart at each end, and a 6 volt battery, in addition to the engines and detonators. By now, your DIY rocketing mindset should be able to figure out how it all goes together. Even though there is no safety pin, you can always keep the 6 volt battery in your pocket until the launch preparations are finished.
Preparing for launch looks something like this.
This commercially produced launch system comes with a safety pin (blue circle) and clips (green circle) to make it easier to attach the wires to the detonator prongs. Pictured on the right, you can see that I have added dollar store birthday party lights for a cool night flying* effect.
*Night flying is probably against rules, but at least an airplane pilot will be able to see the approaching rocket.**
**See the approaching rocket: Of course, never do this!!
What engine should I choose? Almost forgot about this part, revealing the secret language of how the rocket engines are labeled. Here you go! (click on the image for more information.)
While I have video footage of Royal Blue's maiden launch, some things are best left to the imagination! (And, yes, of course, you can name your rockets!)
While this rocket launch is not exactly what we have done, it is something to work towards!
We will take the Royal Blue to the next level of model rocketry! I will show you how to add a booster stage to the rocket!