| | [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #592: | | 
Fiberglassing fins is a popular method of enhancing the strength and improving the surface finish of a rocket. Tip-to-tip fiberglassing is especially beneficial for a minimum diameter mach-buster, as it adds a layer of protection at the root of the fin. Similarly, a thin layer of fiberglass can provide a smooth and hard surface that is excellent for finishing. In this case, a single coat of a light weight cloth and sanding to a glass-smooth finish can be used with minimal additional weight. The fiberglass cloth and epoxy fill wood grain and small surface imperfections while producing a highly smooth surface. This method of fiberglassing is a great way to increase strength and improve the appearance of a rocket without adding significant additional weight. Learn all about it in this week's newsletter. | | Read the rest of this week's article, either on a downloadable PDF for printing out, or on our website (great for viewing on your phone)! Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page. |
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| Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | Estes Mercury Redstone Kit | | 
The Mercury Redstone model rocket kit is a 1:34-size replica of the iconic rocket that was used in the early days of the American space program. Its significance is that it was the rocket that was used to launch the first and second American astronauts into space. That makes this kit perfect for those who are interested in model rocketry and the history of space exploration. The finished rocket stands nearly 29 inches tall and features laser-cut, layered balsa fins and a molded plastic model of Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 and it’s Launch Escape System (LES). The set of detailed water-slide decals even includes the distinctive white “crack” that Gus painted onto the side of his spacecraft to make it resemble the actual Liberty Bell. More that just a historic replica from the early days of the American space program, this rocket kit from Estes has history in its own right too. This kit is a re-released but enhanced version of the model rocket that the company Centuri produced in the 1960's. Own a piece of history today! |
| Quick Change Motor Mount Kits | | 
Do you want to design your own rockets with a quick change motor mount system, like seen in the Quick Draw rocket (shown below)? We now have four different motor mount kits for BT-80 (or 2.6" diameter heavy wall tube) size rockets that you can swap out quickly, as well as a permanant mount to be installed in each rocket that uses the system. This will allow you to fly your design with a single 29mm, or as a cluster of 2, 3, or 4 rocket motors. You'll have the versatility that you've never before had. Imagine one rocket that you can change out motor mounts to fly any combination of motors you want. Check them out! |
| Quick Draw Rocket | | 
New from Apogee Components is the Quick Draw model rocket kit. It is the ultimate in versatility and excitement. With its interchangeable motor mount system, you can choose to launch the rocket with a single motor for a thrilling ride, or go all out with a cluster of three motors for an epic launch. Comes with two quick-change motor mounts - a single 29mm motor, or a cluster of three 24mm motors. Plus you can get additional motor mounts for launching as a two or four engine cluster. |
| LaunchMaster Control Battery | | 
The North Coast Rocketry's LaunchMaster™ takes a special battery. And now we have them available here. This rechargeable 3000mAh, 7.2V battery has the capacity for hundreds of launches between charges. It also has the current capability to even handle some cluster launches. This product also includes a battery charger so you can use this recharable battery for years and years. This simple-to-use charger plugs into a standard household electric outlet, so you don't need anything extra to make it work. |
| Conductive Starter Mix | | 
Save those old igniter wires, as they can easily be reused to make new igniters! The Conductive Starter Mix from QuickBurst allows you to have the reloadable igniter so you save money. This updated mix works well with BOTH black powder and composite motors! Make your own motor starters from an ordinary two-conductor wire. NO bridge wire needed. And reuse the same wire over and over again. Just mix and dip. And dip again and again. |
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See the Mercury Redstone fly from Cape Canaveral! This week's simulation is the New-to-Apogee Estes Mercury Redstone. As you can see in this simulation, we launched from the original Cape Canaveral for an extra historical boost. Check it out! |
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“During Covid, I came across my old Rocket Range Box from my much younger days and decided to introduce my grandchildren to model rocketry...but as I built and flew more and more rockets, I needed more information on how to do things better...so I searched for model rockets and came across Apogee Components...I couldn't believe how much information was available through Apogee...instructional videos from basic to very advanced, and a great selection of kits, building supplies and electronics. With the help of Apogee, I built their Zephyr to get my Lvl 1 and 2 certs, and am working towards my Lvl 3. I really appreciate how much detail is available through Apogee for so many of the items that are available through their website... Now, whenever I have a question for anything regarding rockets - model to HPR - my first stop is the Apogee website - it is well set up, easy to find what I'm looking for and having an actual rocket scientist in your corner is invaluable.” -- Jerry Frank | |
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 I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
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