Vector ... An Inspired Scratch Build

This rocket is inspired by a photo I saw of a Vector-V, an OOP Semroc Bird.

Bill Eichelberger modified a scratch gooney version he named Vector G.

My version is a quite bit smaller in diameter up front (BT/C-60), a BT/C-80 Fin Can and the fins are quite a bit larger (1/4" Plywood).

A 29mm Rear Eject spool dumps the Motor and the 24" Parachute out the back.

I'm going to take a shot at making the Transition and BT/C-80 as one integral piece, by sectioning the tube and coupler and folding it down into place. The internal coupler splices straddling the body tube splices. That means unobstructed room for the spool (see the Open Rocket Side View below).

2026-07-01 Integral Transition / C-80

Something new (to me anyways). Pictures tell the procedure... we'll pull the C-60 tomorrow and see how it comes out.

2026-07-02 The Integral C-80 Transition came out nice....

kind of looks like a Coke bottle. Sanded the o.d. to eliminate some small bumps and humps.

Now on to the BT-80H.

Integral Transition / BT-80H

Formed the Integral Transition / BT-80H and glued it to the C-80. I'll release it from it's constraints tomorrow.

2026-07-03 Finished Integral Transition

Injected some glue in between the transitions last night. Removed the rubber bands this morning and it's Hell-For-Stout.

Internal Stiffener:

See Open Rocket sketch below....

2026-07-04 Fins and Nose Cone

Gluing Fins to the C-80

2026-07-05 Fin Gussets

I'm using 1/8" Basswood as Reinforcement / Gussets. Also drilled holes thru the C-80 adjacent to the Fin Root. Wood glue is then placed over these holes and forced into them, then covered with the Basswood Gussets. The inside of the C-80 is wiped out with a paper towel and will be sanded smooth once all the Gussets are added and the the glue has dried.

Hell For Stout construction.

Sanding The C-80 Bore

I made this sanding fixture a few years ago. It's made from a Neutrogena bottle. It literally took 45 seconds to sand the thru hole bumps off the bore.