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Skill Level 1 - Easy to Construct and Fly!
The Apogee Blue Streak model rocket kit has been de-signed to
use a wide variety of rocket motors. The purpose of this model is
to show how rocket motors are selected to fi nd the one that makes
the model perform best. You can easily determine which motor
performed best in the model by measuring its peak altitude. This
model can use 13 mm, and 18 mm diameter rocket motors. An
interchange-able motor mount is included to provide a quick and
easy way of using the smaller 13mm diameter size motors. This model
is really easy to build if you follow the instructions. Read the
entire set of instructions fi rst; by doing this, you’ll have a
sense of the important items that will make the Blue Streak
function properly.
Parts List
(1) Airframe Tube (AT-1811)(1) Airframe Tube (AT-13/2.85)(1)
Centering Ring (CR10-13)(4) Centering Ring (CR13-18)(1) 13 mm Motor
Block(1) Launch lugs (1.0" long)(1) Balsa Fin Sheet (#9002)(1)
Plastic Nose Cone (PNC-18)(1) Plastic Nose Cone Shoulder(1)
Streamer (1.5" X 18")(1) Kevlar shock Cord 24" long(1) Tube Marking
Guide Pattern Sheet
Kit #9002
P/N 31024
Other Tools and Materials Needed
ScissorsHobby KnifePencilPlastic Model CementWood Glue (or White
Glue)Masking TapeSandpaper & Sanding BlockRulerSanding
SealerPaint BrushSpray Paint
Apogee Components, Inc.Colorado Springs, Colorado
USAVisit Us On The Internet: www.ApogeeRockets.com
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Blue Streak Rocket Assembly
1. Using a hobby knife, carefully cut a notch in one of the
larger centering rings (CR13-18 .2" long — brown) as shown in the
illustration. Tie one end of the kevlar shock cord to the centering
ring.
2. Smear wood glue deep inside one end of the long body tube.
Use a scrap piece of balsa wood to help. Push the centering ring
inside the tube so that the back edge is 2.25" from the end of the
tube. To help push the centering ring into the tube, use a 18 mm
diameter rocket motor. Make a pencil mark 2.25" from one end of the
motor so you know how far to push in the centering ring.
Immediately remove the motor so it isn’t glued inside the rocket.
The shock cord should extend out the forward end of the tube.
3. Fine sand the balsa die-cut sheets with 400 grit sandpaper
before removing the fi ns. Carefully remove all the pieces from the
balsa sheet by freeing the edges with a sharp hobby knife.
4. Group the fi ns together, and gently sand the edges as shown
in the illustration.
5. Cut out the tube marking guide from page 5. Wrap the guide
around the long body tube and tape the ends together. Mark the body
tube at each of the arrow points. Remove the marking guide.
6. Using a door frame, draw a pencil line down the outside of
each body tube at each pencil mark. Label the launch lug line so
you don’t accidentally glue a fi n into the wrong position.
7. Measure and mark the body tube at each fi n line 1/2 inch
(12.7 mm) from the end with the motor block. This will be the
attachment position for the aft edge of each of the long fi ns.
Apply wood glue to the root edge of one of the fi ns. Allow the
glue to dry slightly for a few minutes, then attach it to the body
tube as shown in the illustration. Make sure the fi n is straight
along the tube. Allow the fi n to dry before proceeding with the
next fi n. Repeat with the other two fi ns. 8. Apply a bead of wood
glue to both sides of each fi n-body tube joint. Pull your fi nger
along the joint to smooth out and re-move the excess glue. Lay the
tube horizon-tally while the glue dries.
1. Using a hobby knife, carefully cut a
3. Fine sand the balsa die-cut sheets
4. Group the fi ns together, and gently
6. Using a door frame, draw a pencil line
7. Measure and mark the body tube at
8. Apply a bead of wood glue to both
5. Cut out the tube marking guide from
2. Smear wood glue deep inside one end
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9. Cut the launch lug in half. Using wood glue, attach the two
small lugs to the tube. Both lugs are positioned on the pencil
line. One is glued 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) from the rear end, and the
other is 5 inches (12.7 cm). Allow the glue to dry.
10. Using plastic model cement, glue the nose cone shoulder into
the nose cone. Al-low glue to dry.
11. Tie the forward end of the shock cord onto the base of the
nose cone. Then tie the streamer to the shock cord as close to the
nose cone as possible.
12. Roll the streamer up and insert it into the body tube with
the shock cord. Finally, place the nose cone on top of the rocket.
After all the glue has completely dried, you may paint your rocket.
Sealing and sanding the balsa parts reduces drag (higher fl ights)
and greatly improves the rocket’s appear-ance. Apply a coat of
sanding sealer to the fi ns with a paint brush. When the sealer is
dry, lightly sand the sealed surfaces. Repeat the sealing and
sanding procedure until the balsa grain is fi lled and the fi ns
look and feel smooth.
13. Roll a piece of paper and insert it into the motor mount
tube so you can hold the model while painting it. For best results,
paint the model with primer before using the fi nal white paint.
Follow the directions on the paint can, and always paint outdoors
with the wind against your back. Let the paint harden at least 24
hours before proceeding.
Construction of 13 mm Motor Adapter
14. Glue one large centering ring (CR13-18) on the forward end
of the 13 mm diam-eter tube.
15. Glue the remaining two centering rings (CR13-18) on the
other end of the tube, 0.3 inch (7.6 mm) from the end of the tube.
Smear a thin fi lm of wood glue on all the outside surfaces of the
centering rings to prevent the paper from fraying.
16. Glue the motor block inside the13 mm diameter tube, 1.4 inch
(35.6 mm) from the forward end. Use a scrap piece of balsa to help
apply the glue to the inside of the tube. Again, use a rocket motor
to push the motor block into the tube.
Launch Supplies Needed
16. Glue the motor block inside the13
13. Roll a piece of paper and insert it
12. Roll the streamer up and insert it into
11. Tie the forward end of the shock cord
15. Glue the remaining two centering
14. Glue one large centering ring (CR13-
10. Using plastic model cement, glue the
9. Cut the launch lug in half. Using wood
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To Launch your rocket you will need the following supplies:
A model rocket launching systemFlame resistant recovery wadding
Recommended Rocket Motors:13 mm diameter rocket motors: 1/2A3-2T
(fi rst fl ight) A3-4T A10-3T B7-6 (Apogee Components)18 mm
diameter rocket motors: 1/2A6-2 (fi rst fl ight) A8-3 A6-4 (Quest)
B4-4 B6-4 (Quest & Estes) B6-6 C6-5 (Quest & Estes) C6-7
(Quest & Estes) C4-7 (Apogee Components) C10-7 (Apogee
Components) D3-7 (Apogee Components)
Rocket Prefl ight
A. Crumple and insert 2 sheets of recov-ery wadding into the
body tube. B. Roll the streamer tightly and insert it into the tube
with the shock cord. Then install the nose cone into place. C.
Insert the rocket motor into the aft end of the rocket. The largest
motor (18 mm dia) size is simply taped into the aft end of the
rocket. Wrap tape around the outside of the motor and the aft end
of the body tube.The smaller motors are fi rst taped inthe motor
adapter, and then the adapter is taped into the rocket in the same
way as the larger motors. D. Insert and secure the igniter as
di-rected in the instructions that came with the motors.
Countdown and Launch Procedure
Fly your rocket on a large fi eld that isn’t near any power
lines, trees, or low fl ying aircraft. The larger the fi eld, the
greater your chanc-es of recovering your rocket. The launch area
around the pad must be free of dry weeds and brown grass. Launch
only during calm weather with very little or no wind and good
visibility.
10. Remove the safety key from the launch controller.9. Slide
the launch lugs over the launch rod to place the rocket on the pad.
The rocket should slide freely over the rod.8. Attach the
micro-clips to the igniter wires.
The clips or the wires must not touch each other or the metal
blast defl ector.7. Stand back from your rocket as far as the
launch wire allows (at least 5 meters or 15 feet).6. Insert the
safety key to arm the launch system. The light (or buzzer) on the
controller should come on.
Give a loud countdown 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... LAUNCH!
Push and hold the button until the motor ignites. Then remove
the safety key and place the safety cap on the launch rod.
Misfi re Procedure
Occasionally the igniter will burn, but the motor will fail to
ignite. If this happens, the cause is that the pyrogen on the
igniter was not in contact with the motor’s propellant. When an
ignition failure occurs, remove the safety key from the launch
controller and wait 60 seconds before approaching the rocket.
Remove the old igniter from the motor and install a new one. Make
sure the igniter is inserted fully into the motor and touches the
propellant. Secure the igniter as directed on the motor package and
repeat the countdown and launch procedure.
Always follow the National Association of Rocketry Model Rocket
Safety Code when launching model rockets.
rected in the instructions that came with the
of the rocket. The largest motor (18 mm dia)
ery wadding into the body tube.
it into the tube with the shock cord. Then