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The Right Stuff - Hints and Tips from APOGEE, the official
newsletter of the Miami Valley Rocket Society. 

Questions or comments? Send E-Mail to Bob Hegwood, CIS: 76276,2552 
 
Or write to: Bob Hegwood 
             31 Pagett Drive 
             Germantown, Ohio 45327 
             (513) 855-7105 
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Construction 
 
1. Ever wish you could use a smaller motor in one of your
D-powered models? An old D motor casing can easily be converted
for use as an 18mm motor mount adapter. Simply punch out the used
nozzle and clean out any residue which may exist inside the old
casing. Then, glue an 18mm engine block into one end of the casing,
flush with the edge. That's all there is to it, and your adapter
is now ready for use. When you want to fly your model with a C
motor, simply insert the motor into your new adapter using masking
tape to insure a snug, friction fit. Then, insert the whole assembly
into the model as if it were simply another D motor. (Jim Breckenridge,
CSAR) 

(Make sure you test your rocket for stability when using this, or any
other arrangement, which may move the model's center of gravity - Ed.) 
 
2. When adding a launch lug to your model, consider that as much as
35% of the total drag experienced by a model rocket in flight can be
caused by JUST the launch lug. This unnecessary drag can be eliminated,
of course, simply by eliminating the lug, and using a tower for launch.
For those designs which require a launch lug, however, keep the following
tips in mind to reduce the extra drag: First, relocate the lug so that it
presents less resistance to the air flow. Instead of gluing your launch
lug in the middle of the body tube, try placing it in a fin-body tube
joint before you create the fillets. Second, you can also reduce extra
drag by cutting the lug ends to 45 degrees. This technique simply presents
a better aerodynamic shape to the air flow and, consequently, presents
less resistance when in flight. Third, as with the fins on a model rocket,
remember to create smooth fillets between the launch lug and the body tube.
Fillets will greatly reduce unnecessary interference drag. Finally, use
your common sense and make all launch lugs as short as possible. There
is no reason to use a 2" lug when a 1/2" lug will do the same job. (Bob
Hegwood) 
 
3. Attach a spare micro clip to the base of your model rocket launching
system. A small nail, or epoxy can be used to mount a clip on a wooden
base, and you can use masking tape to attach one to a plastic pad such
as the Estes Porta Pad. Locate the clip about 6" from the blast deflector
plate. When setting up the launch system, run the wiring from your power
source to the pad, and then use the micro clip to hold all wires in place.
(Jim Breckenridge, CSAR) 
 
4. When a launch lug stand-off is required, construct the stand-off so that
the balsa grain is perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to the rocket body
tube. This will help to insure that the stand-off does not break from the
impact of a hard landing. (Paul Lutz) 
 
Flying Techniques 
 
1. To insure a smooth lift-off and to avoid having your model hang up on the
launch rod, use some extra-fine steel wool to clean the rod before your first
launch. It is usually a good idea to clean the launch rod after every four or
five flights, and a piece of steel wool can easily be kept in your range box. 
(B.H.) 
 
(All tips from Volume 1, Issue 2)