Apogee Components "Kestrel" model rocket assembly (part 2 of 2).

[@martinmckee5333]

What's funny is that when I initially designed the Kestrel my preferred color scheme was much closer to what you used, but the decision to go with the final color scheme (really closer to orange and blue-gray on our showroom model) came down - almost entirely - to ability to track it down again after flight! Excellent build. Wonderful channel.

[@persohpene]

When doing the Fillets on the fins could i use an epoxy putty?

[@REAR_rockets]

@@persohpene I don’t see why not, but be sure to check the stability. Epoxy fillets will move the CG aft.

[@michaelc6817]

Nice build and video. I am curious. Do you ever stay inside the coloring book lines and finish (paint and decals) your rocket as shown on the face card? It's good how you show viewers that you can use artistic license. 😎

[@REAR_rockets]

@@michaelc6817 sometimes, but I prefer artistic license.

[@gillandro2]

Dr Dave build question... the rocket im building still needs the home made baffle i plan to make.....in your opinion could a section of soda bottle work or would that be too prone to melting?

[@REAR_rockets]

@@gillandro2 Don’t use plastic. Wood baffle plates are fine.

[@gillandro2]

Dr dave, i know id have to sew in my own loops but could a 1/4" length of nylon ribbon be used as a shock cord for a bt 80 rocket body? My wife tugged at the ribbon with me and it didnt snap but figured your experience would help thank you

[@REAR_rockets]

@@gillandro2 it could work if you are using a baffle, but I couldn’t guess at how reliable it would be over multiple launches.

[@gillandro2]

@@REAR_rockets i am using a baffle.... i am using quick links to connect the shock cord... if you have a better more long term idea im open... ty

[@gillandro2]

Dr Dave, i have a couple of more construction questions...i am planning to make a parachute for a rocket I'm designing out of umbrella material like you did in a video... is there a ratio i need to use for the shroud lines....i.e. the lines should be 3 times the diameter of the parachute or what not.... btw I'm making a windsock out of umbrella material and a dowel rod to assess field conditions.... second question.... i see you assemble most parachute kits with shroud lines being tied to adjacent corners.... but in pre assembled parachutes they tie the shrouds two adjacent corners on the outer corners and across the middle of the chute material for the center shroud line... is there any difference in your educated opinion? Thank you

[@REAR_rockets]

For the parachute, I use shroud lines 1.5x the diameter. You are correct that most preassembled parachutes have a string across the middle. It’s supposed to decrease tangling a bit, but it’s also a longer string than the other two. In practice, I haven’t seen much difference.

[@gillandro2]

@@REAR_rockets in the words of marty mcfly... you are the doc, doc

[@gillandro2]

@@REAR_rocketsalso.... your opinion....since i was thinking of using eyelets at the corners and kevlar for the shroud lines... if i used the eyelets in the umbrella material, and used crazy glue for the kevlar knots could that work for the parachute assembly? Thanks as always.

[@REAR_rockets]

If I'm understanding you correctly, then yes.

[@gillandro2]

So not even as the coupler tube i gather?

[@REAR_rockets]

@@gillandro2 I don’t recommend it. It’s harder to glue plastic to cardboard.

[@gillandro2]

@@REAR_rockets since the body tube has an inner diameter of 2.53 inches the numbers say it should be equivalent to a bt-80 tube so ill get a bt-80 coupler and see where it goes thank you Doc