CONSTRUCTION

Airframe

The airframe is constructed of 9.25" diameter X 3/16" thick cardboard tube.The tube is glassed with one wrap of 5.9oz S-glass (4 harness satin weave) fiberglass cloth and Mr. Fiberglass medium cure epoxy. This results in an airframe of 1/4" thick and very strong.

Motor Mount/Fin Can

The motor mount and fin support is a frame built of 1/2" burch plywood. Two centering rings are notched to accept eight identically notched vertical supports for the fins and airframe. The fins are constructed of 1/2" thick Baltic burch plywood. These are secured to the frame with epoxy and #8 wood screws. The top centering ring uses two 3/4" thick burch plates with a 3/8" u-bolt attached for a shock cord hard point. The bottom thrust plate is 3/4" thick burch. Both top and bottom plates are secured to the frame using epoxy and #8 wood screws. The airframe is slotted to slide over the frame and fins and secured with epoxy and screws.

Payload/Electronics Section

The upper airframe is attached to the booster using a 14" length coupler. 7" slides into the booster and 7" is epoxyed inside of the payload section. The 14" coupler houses the recovery electronics and has removable 1/2" burch plates to facilitate access and component placement. Above the electronics bay is a 20" payload section which can house future equipment. The top plate of the payload section is constructed of 3/4" burch plywood ans has a 3/8" u-bolt mounted as a hard point for the recovery harness. Two 3/8" pieces of all-thread rod are used to secure the top bulk plate thru the compartments to the aft 3/4" bulk plate. The aft bulk plate is mounted with a 3/8" u-bolt as a hard point for the booster shock cord.

Nose Cone

The nose cone is fiberglass with a 1/2" burch plate epoxied into place to which a 3/8" u-bolt is mounted as a hard point for the droge chute and parachute deployment bag.

Making it pretty - the hardest part....