Estes 1972 User Manual

8” (20.4 cm)

ROCKET PREFLIGHT

CRUMPLE AND INSERT
3 SQUARES OF
RECOVERY WADDIING

NOTE: Use Estes Wadding

(EST 302274) Only.

SPIKE FOLD ROLL

PREPARE ENGINE

NOTE: Igniter plugs come with rocket engines. If your

engines did not come with plugs, follow the instructions
that came with the engines.

SEPARATE IGNITER PLUG AND IGNITER.

COUNTDOWN

HOLD ENGINE
UPRIGHT,
DROP IN
IGNITER.

IGNITER MUST
TOUCH
PROPELLANT.

INSERT
IGNITER
PLUG.

NOTE: Parachute

may be dusted with
talcum powder to
avoid sticking.

FIRMLY PUSH
ALL THE WAY IN.

WRAP LINES LOOSELY AROUND THE
PARACHUTE AND INSERT THE PARACHUTE
INTO THE ROCKET.

FOLD BACK
AND BEND TIPS
AS SHOWN.

WRAP WITH 1 OR
2 WRAPS OF
MASKING TAPE

INSERT ENGINE
INTO ROCKET.

www.estesrockets.com

ESTES INDUSTRIES

1295 H Street

Penrose, CO 81240

PRINTED IN CHINA

ASSEMBLY TIP: Read all

instructions before beginning
work on your model. Make sure
you have all parts and supplies.

TEST FIT ALL PARTS
TOGETHER BEFORE
APPLYING ANY GLUE!

If any parts don't fit properly,
sand as required for precision
assembly.

BULLPUP 12D

FLYING MODEL ROCKET KIT INSTRUCTIONS

KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

FINS

MATCH LINES

FINS

FINS

LAUNCH LUG

TUBE MARKING

FINS

GUIDE

MATCH LINES

1972

SHOCK CORD

MOUNT

SECTION

SECTION

SECTION

3

2

1

AND LAUNCH

MASKING
TAPE

KEY ALWAYS OUT UNTIL
FINAL COUNTDOWN!

LAUNCH SUPPLIES

To launch your rocket, you will need the
following:

• Launch Pad (Estes Porta-Pad

• Launch Controller (Electron Beam®)

• Recommended Estes Engines: A8-3 (First
Flight) B4-4, B6-4, B8-5, C6-5
Use an A8-3 engine for your first flight to
become familiar with your rocket's flight
pattern.

• Recovery Wadding (EST 302274)

• Igniters and Igniter Plugs (included with
Estes engines)

Use only Estes products to launch this
rocket.

®

II)

1...

1...

2...

2...

3...

3...

4... 3... 2... 1...

15 FT. (5 M)

4...

4...

KEY

INSERT KEY.
PUSH DOWN
AND HOLD.

HOW TO USE THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING WORK ON THIS MODEL.

A. Read each step first and visualize the

procedure thoroughly in your mind before
starting construction.
B. Lay the parts out on the table in front of

you. (Check inside tubes for any small parts.)

PARTS Locate the parts shown below and lay them out on the table in front

of you. DO NOT USE THIS DRAWING TO ASSEMBLE YOUR ROCKET.

ENGINE SPACER

TUBE

(35003)

LAUNCH LUG

(38175)

ENGINE BLOCK

(GREEN)

(30162-2)

BODY TUBE

(30384)

C. Use the parts layout to match all parts

contained in kit.

D. Collect all construction supplies that are

not included in this kit.

E. Sand parts as necessary for proper fit.

ENGINE MOUNT

TUBE

(30324)

TAIL CONE

(30101)

SHOCK CORD

F. The construction supplies required for each

step are listed at the beginning of each step.

G. Check off each step as you complete it.

HELPFUL HINT:

NOSE CONE

(71070)

(38374)

IF NOSE CONE/COUPLER FIT IS. . .

TOO
LOOSE

ADD
MASKING TAPE.

CLAY WEIGHT (2)

(85705)

TOO
TIGHT

SAND FOR FIT.

PRECAUTIONS

NAR Safety Code

4

NO DRY GRASS
OR WEEDS

LAUNCH BUTTON

HOLD KEY DOWN AND PRESS
LAUNCH BUTTON UNTIL

LIFT-OFF!

FLYING YOUR ROCKET

Choose a large field (500 ft. [152 m] square) free of dry weeds and brown grass. The
larger the launch area, the better the chance of recovering your rocket. Football fields
and playgrounds are great. Launch only with little or no wind and good visibility.

Always follow the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Safety Code.

MISFIRES

TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE CONTROLLER. WAIT ONE MINUTE
BEFORE GOING NEAR THE ROCKET! Disconnect the igniter clips and remove the

engine. Take the plug and igniter out of the engine. If the igniter has burned, it worked
but did not ignite the engine because it was not touching the propellant inside the
engine. Put a new igniter all the way inside the engine without bending it. Push the plug
in place. Repeat the steps under Countdown and Launch.

© 2003 Estes-Cox Corp. All rights reserved.

P/N 83847 (10-03)

DECAL

(37289)

DIE-CUT BALSA

SHEET

(32702)

SUPPLIES In addition to the parts included in the kit you will also need:

SCISSORS

PENCIL RULER

FINE

SANDPAPER

CARPENTER'S

GLUE

MODELING

KNIFE

MASKING

TAPE

CENTERING

RINGS

(30125)

HOBBY SAW SPRAY

ASSEMBLED PARACHUTE

12" (30 CM) (35801)

PLASTIC
CEMENT

SPRAY
PRIMER
(WHITE)

PAINT

(WHITE)

CLEAR
SPRAY

PRIMER

(OPTIONAL)

G

LU

E

GLUE

GLUE

ROCKET ASSEMBLY

GLUE

GLUE

G

LUE

G

LUE

GLUE

G

LUE

G

LU

E

G

L

U

E

GLUE

G

L

U

E

GLUE

G

L

U

E

1.

A. Remove centering rings from die-cut sheet. Slide

over Engine Mount Tube as shown.

B. Apply glue to both sides of both ring/tube joints.
C. Mark yellow spacer tube 6 mm (1/4”) from one end.

Using a piece of scrap balsa, smear glue 51 mm
(2”) inside engine mount tube.

D. Insert green engine block into rear of tube. Insert

spacer tube and push engine block into tube until
1/4” (6 mm) mark is even with end of tube. NOTE:
The yellow spacer tube is a tool and must be
removed as soon as you match the mark with the
end of the engine mount tube. Don’t accidentally

2.

A. Locate the plastic tail cone.
B. Cut the excess plastic parts off as indicated in

diagram and discard.

C. Sand front and rear of tail cone flat and remove any

excess plastic with modeling knife.

3.

A. Fine sand balsa die-cut sheet. Carefully remove fins

by freeing edges with sharp knife.

B. Stack fins together. Sand all edges smooth.

4.

A. Using a piece of scrap balsa, smear glue inside body

tube 2” (51 mm) from one end.

B. Slide engine mount into body tube until both rings

are inside tube. Push tail cone (no glue yet) over
Engine Tube until snug against Body Tube.

C. Push Engine Mout Tube the rest of the way in (until

it is flush with end of Tail Cone).

D. Remove tail cone. Apply plastic cement to tail cone

as shown and push tail cone back into place.

5.

A. Cut out Tube Marking Guide from front of instructions.

Wrap guide around the Body Tube and tape.

B. Mark tube at arrows. Label Launch Lug Line 'LL'.

Remove guide.

C. Using door frame, extend all lines the full length of

tube.

FRONT

1/8"

1/4"

(6 m

(3 m

m

A.

)

m

(51 m

A.

)

m

C.

YELLOW

SPACER

)

TUBE

2"

ENGINE

MOUNT

TUBE

(51 m

2"

REAR

B.

REAR

GREEN

ENGINE

BLOCK

FRONT

DISCARDDISCARD

D.

REMOVE SPACER

TUBE IMMEDIATELY

AFTER INSERTING

ENGINE BLOCK!

)

m

CUT

TAIL CONE

CUT

7.

A. Glue launch lug straight on launch lug line with its

rear edge 73 mm (2-7/8”) from rear of tube.

8.

A. Cut out shock cord mount located on page one of

the instructions.

B. Crease on dotted lines by folding. Spread glue on

section 2 and lay end of shock cord into glue. Fold
over section 1 and apply glue to section 3. Fold
forward again.

C. Clamp unit together with fingers until glue sets.

9.

A. Apply glue to shock cord mount.
B. Press mount into body tube about 25 mm (1”) in

from end of tube to allow for the nose cone.

C. Hold until glue sets.

A.

2 7/8" (75 mm)

D

R

T

N

3

K CO

U

C

N

O

IO

M

T
C

SHO

E

2

S

N

IO
T
C

E

1

S

N

IO
T
C

E
S

A.

3

1

2

SHOCK CORD

3

C.

B.

1”

(25 mm)

A.

YES

B.

NO

10.

B.

A.

2"

(51 m

m

BOTTOM FINS TOP FINS

)

B.

C.

D.

LAUNCH LUG

TUBE MARKING

GUIDE

FINS

A.

TAPE

DOOR

FRAME

TOP

VIEW

A. Apply a glue reinforcement to each fin/body tube

joint and each side of launch lug. Smooth with finger.

B. Support rocket as shown until glue dries.

11.

A. Trim excess plastic from around sides of nose cone

with sharp knife. Remove any excess plastic from
inside molded eyelet. Enlarge hole in rear of nose
cone.

B. Roll clay into a “snake” about 3 mm (1/8”) diameter.

Poke clay through the hole in nose cone. Use pencil
or dowel to push clay into end of nose cone. Pack
clay tightly. Use all of the clay.

C. Wipe nose cone with damp cloth to remove oil and

dirt.

12.

A. Form loop in shroud lines

and push shroud lines
through eyelet.

B. Pass 'shute through loop.
C. Pull 'chute tight.
D.Tie free end of shock cord

to eyelet with double knot.

A.

A.

B.

C.

B.

A. B.

90˚

90˚

90˚

90˚

YES

NO

FINISHING YOUR ROCKET

Apply sanding sealer to fins. When sealer is dry, lightly sand parts.
Repeat sanding and sealing until balsa grain lines are filled. Optional:
Spray a light coat of automotive primer over entire rocket. Lightly sand
(600 grit) when primer is dry. This allows the paint to adhere better and
gives a smoother finish.

DOUBLE

C.

D.

KNOT

Spray paint the entire rocket gloss white. Follow instructions on spray
can for best results. Allow paint to dry overnight before applying decals.
Refer to photo on front of instructions and photo on panel for decal
placement. To apply decals, cut out each decal, dip in lukewarm water
for 20 seconds, and hold until it uncurls. Slip decal off backing sheets
and onto model. Blot away excess water. For a more realistic appearance
and to protect decals, spray a flat clear coat on the rocket.

6.

A.

A. Compare fins to patterns to find front (leading) and

gluing (root) edges.

B. Position and glue fins on alignment lines as shown,

GLUING EDGE

one at a time. Bottom fins should be positioned 18
mm (3/4”) from end of body tube. Let each dry
several minutes before applying the next one.

3/4" (18 mm)

C.

C. Adjust fins to project straight out from tube.
D. Do not set rocket on fins while glue is wet. FINS

MUST BE ATTACHED CORRECTLY FOR STABLE

B.

FLIGHT!

2 3