Extreme Soda-Pop Rockets (With Step-By-Step Plans!) - 03

The Long-Tailed Pipe Rocket

Fins are integral to the design of this long-tailed rocket and are necessary to steady it in flight. The tubing that forms the tail makes it one of the heavier designs in the book, so it’s particularly gratifying that it soars to an impressive height. When you’re buying the pipe to make the tail, take an empty plastic soda-pop bottle along with you to double-check that the pipe will fit its neck and can be glued easily in place. If your pipe is too wide for the job, it’s almost impossible to produce a neatly formed rocket.

You will need:

• Two 2-liter plastic soda-pop bottles

• Epoxy glue

• Heavyweight scissors and a craft knife

• 15-inch (38-cm) length of 1-inch (2.5-cm) OD (outside diameter) plastic water pipe—this can be found at building or plumbing supply stores

• Soft drawing pencil—2B is ideal

• Sheet of thin cardstock, 8 x 11 inches (20 x 28 cm)

• Sheet of thin, flexible plastic, 11 1/2 x 161/2 inches (29 x 42 cm)—you can find this in hobby and craft stores

• Sheet of thin cardstock, 8 x 11 inches

(20 x 28 cm) • Sheet of thin, flexible plastic, 11 1/2 x 161/2 inches (29 x 42 cm)—you can find this in hobby and craft stores

• The launcher from project 1.3 (see pages 22–25) and a bicycle pump, ideally with a pressure gauge. You will also need access to a photocopier.

Step 1

Take the plastic pipe and smear the outside of one end generously with epoxy glue. Apply the glue in a band around 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.

Step 2

Push the pipe into the mouth of one of the soda-pop bottles until the glued length is completely contained in the neck. Leave to dry.

Step 3

Using a craft knife, cut the screw-neck portion away from the second bottle.

Step 4

Use epoxy glue to stick the free end of the water pipe inside the cut screw-neck piece.

Step 5

Enlarge the fin template on page 109 to scale onto the thin cardstock, using a photocopier. Cut out the fin shape carefully with scissors or a craft knife. Draw around the cardstock template on the flexible plastic sheet. Repeat twice so that you have the outlines for three fins. Cut around the outlines with scissors or a craft knife. If you are using a craft knife, do your cutting on a cutting mat.

Step 6

Cut the slits on the fins as shown on the template, then fold two tabs going one way and two going the other on each fin.

Step 7

Glue the fins at even intervals around the end of the pipe. They should be glued just above the neck of the bottle.

To Launch Your Rocket

Fill your rocket halfway with water. Place your rocket in the launcher, secure with the wire trigger, pressurize, and fire.

Firing Report

Completely reliable; a good flight every time, plus a satisfying explosive noise as it left the launcher. It was also a pretty performer in its descent, spinning around gently as it drifted back down to earth.