Mercury Engineering 3" Diam. School Rocket Build, Part 1, Parts

Everybody has rocket favorites, this is one of mine.
If you are a Big Daddy fan, you'll want to check this one out.
The 3" School Rocket is now available on the BMS website - CLICK HERE
There is a pull down menu at the center top, look for "School Rockets"
The instructions I drew up are there too -

The Mercury Engineering (BMS) 3" School Rocket is a big, 3" diameter stubby model built for D12-3 and E9-4 engines.
One of the main features of the model is no hobby knife or cutting is needed for construction!
(Well, except for the parachute) You'll only need wood glue and tape.
All markings for the centering rings, launch lug position and engine hook notch are already laser etched in the tubes!

I didn't know that Balsa Machining Service had bought Mercury Engineering. Bill had called me a while back and asked if I'd be interested in drawing up the instructions. I would also be involved in some flight testing.

The nose cone is BIG at 3" diameter and 11" long! Certainly a highlight of the kit. It's a bit loose in the body tube and needed two wraps of masking tape for a better fit.
The body tube is 11" long with laser cut fin slots.
The Kevlar provided is 750 lb.
The plywood centering rings have two holes in the upper ring for the Kevlar tie.
A 1" long engine spacer is included to allow for D12 and the longer engine E9 flights.
Four fins are 1/8" thick balsa, laser cut and through the wall. On this standard model the tabs don't reach or attach to the engine mount tube.

It was a surprise to find my design parachutes included in the kit!




This kit will probably be upgraded by many to use 29mm engines. Bill said he might offer a longer tab through-the-wall fin that'll glue to the engine mount tube. But that availability will depend on customer feedback.

The biggest news is the retail price - $14.95!!!
You'd normally pay more for that nose cone alone!

This is probably be the best bargain in rocketry today!