The Making of a Rocket

My husband, Paul and daughter, Alicia have been building rockets together since she was in 5th or 6th grade. They started with level one simple rockets and have progressed to the rocket assembly below which is a level four rocket.

Due to its size and weight this rocket will require them to locate a larger field/area and may even require them to coordinate with or notify the FAA prior to launching this rocket.

Alicia's goal is to build a large scale Saturn V rocket before she graduates from High School in 2012.

Following are a series of photos from the level four rocket. The worked on it on and off over several months.

1.) Inner engine tube assembly with supports










2.) Engine mount with fin supports installed







3.) Alicia glues the engine hook.








4.) Various parts of the rocket. Sanded, smoothed and gaps filled. Alicia used autobody bondo to make sure the body was perfectly smooth.








5.) Lower tube assembly with engine mounts installed.







6.) Alicia wears a mask while sanding and shaping the fins.







7.) Alicia brushes sanding sealer on the wooden fins.










8.) Alicia cutting out a template to help align the fins.







9.) Finished fin alignment template.











10.) Completed fins shaped and sanded. Note the larger fins were made of multiple pieces that needed to be glued and shaped prior to assembly.




11.) Upper and lower body tubes attached.











12.) Front view of the rocket with all fins attached.







13.) Another view of rocket with all fins attached.










14.) Rear view of rocket.








15.) Completed rocket ready for paint - in box to protect from overspray.











16.) Completed rocket with paint and decals.