BDR - First build session Feb. 6th, 2000
Well we made it through our first build session, with really great progress. It seemed that everyone wanted to get the rocket done in one day. This just goes to show that if there is enough interest and talent available, things get done quickly. It was finally decided that the BDR would be created out of 6 feet of body tube. It will have the aft section as four feet, coupled to the fore/nosecone section. This will be mated with a 12 inch coupler tube, with a bulkhead on the fore section. It was also decided that we would use two parachutes, and just split the rocket into two pieces at apogee. This was partly decided by what we had available. It would of cost a lot if we had to purchase a single large chute as opposed to having two smaller ones donated. As it is, both chutes are about 60" in diameter. With the fin tubes cut (without any real high tech gear) and laid out to the aft section, it seems that this thing may fly. I have no doubts really. We are using some really high tech materials within the "dumb" rocket. If you look closely at the photos, we are using a honeycombed/phonolic material for the centering rings. Way cool stuff. With another decision made to just cut two 38mm holes for the motor mounts, the centering rings were scribed, cut, drilled and sanded in no time. At the point I had to leave, the tube fins were bungeed to the body tube in position for gluing. This was all in four hours. All in all, it was a great build session. Dave Franks

BDR - First build session
Feb. 6th, 2000

Well we made it through our first build session, with really great progress. It seemed that everyone wanted to get the rocket done in one day. This just goes to show that if there is enough interest and talent available, things get done quickly.

It was finally decided that the BDR would be created out of 6 feet of body tube. It will have the aft section as four feet, coupled to the fore/nosecone section. This will be mated with a 12 inch coupler tube, with a bulkhead on the fore section.

It was also decided that we would use two parachutes, and just split the rocket into two pieces at apogee. This was partly decided by what we had available. It would of cost a lot if we had to purchase a single large chute as opposed to having two smaller ones donated. As it is, both chutes are about 60" in diameter.

With the fin tubes cut (without any real high tech gear) and laid out to the aft section, it seems that this thing may fly. I have no doubts really. We are using some really high tech materials within the "dumb" rocket. If you look closely at the photos, we are using a honeycombed/phonolic material for the centering rings. Way cool stuff. With another decision made to just cut two 38mm holes for the motor mounts, the centering rings were scribed, cut, drilled and sanded in no time.

At the point I had to leave, the tube fins were bungeed to the body tube in position for gluing. This was all in four hours. All in all, it was a great build session.

Dave Franks