Aerotech G-Force Parts list manual

1
19921-0100
Rev. 8/12/04
COMPLETED
G-FORCE™
ADVANCED
MODEL
ROCKET
Read And
Follow All
Instructions
Designed By
Ed LaCroix
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
• Study the illustrations and sequence of assembly. The
sequence of assembly is important. Review the parts list
and become familiar with all parts before assembly. If any
parts are missing or damaged, contact RCS at 1-435-865-
7100 or email at [email protected].
• DO NOT MODIFY THE DESIGN OF THIS ROCKET .
Changes to the design of the rocket such as, but not limited
to, reducing the fin size, shortening the body tube, or modi-
fying the motor tube assembly can adversely affect the flight
stability of the rocket and may void this products warranty.
• Only use AeroTech composite single-use model rocket
motors and RMS™ Reloadable Motor System™ reload kits
in this model rocket. See our Motor Matrix for recommended
AeroTech propulsion .
Read and follow the Model Rocket Safety Code
of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR®)
and comply with all federal, state and local laws
in all activities with model rockets.
PARTS LIST
Qty Description Part #
1 Thrust Ring (7/16" Long) (14010)
1 Thrust Ring Flange (1/16" Thick) (14011)
1 Motor Tube (1 1/8" OD x 17-3/4" long) (12918)
1 Motor Hook (19001)
2 FIN-LOK Rings (3 Fin) (19343)
3 Centering Rings (3.896" OD) (14029)
3 Fins (11715)
1 Cooling Mesh (19011)
1 Ejection Gas Baffle (19030)
2 Screw Eyes (19015)
1 Shock Cord (5/8" x 18') (17201)
1 Econojet Motor Spacer (14003)
1 Lower Body Tube-Slotted (3.990" OD x 23" Long) (14023)
1 Upper Body Tube (3.990" OD x 19" Long) (14019)
1 Bulkhead Disk (3.896" OD) (14009)
1 Tube Coupler (3.886" OD x 6" Long) (14008)
2 Launch Lugs (19035)
1 Nose Cone (11401)
1 42" Nylon Parachute (13042)
1 Decal Sheet (18021)
1 Instruction Sheet (19921)
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS AND TOOLS REQUIRED
• 12" ruler (with 1/16" resolution)
• Medium viscosity cyanoacrylate (cyano') cement
OR
•
5 to 15 minute cure epoxy
• Accelerator for cyanoacrylate cement
• Hobby knife with #11 blade
• 1/8" dia. wood dowel at least 12" long
• #240 grit sandpaper
Assembly and Operation InstructionsAssembly and Operation Instructions
Division of RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc.
ADVANCED MODEL ROCKET

2
LOCATION
GUIDE
1/4"
6 mm
1/2"
13 mm
FIN-LOK™ ASSEMBLY
1. Cement the thrust ring flange (1/16"/1.6 mm thick) to the
thrust ring (7/16"/11 mm long). Set the thrust ring assem-
bly aside to dry.
2. Find the line drawn along the side of the motor tube. Using
the Location Guide printed along the top edge of this
instruction sheet, cut a 1/4" (6 mm) long slot 4-5/8"
(117mm) from the back end of the motor tube and next to
the line on the motor tube as shown.
3. Using the Location Guide, make a mark along the motor
tube line 4-1/16" (103 mm) from the back end of the motor
tube. This mark locates where the back edge of the front
Thrust
Ring
Flange
Motor
Tube
Line
Thrust
Ring
Motor
Hook
Slot For
Motor
Hook
Middle
Centering
Ring
FIN-LOK™
Ring
Front
End
Motor
Hook
Channels
Motor
Tube
2"/51mm And 4-1/16"/103mm
From Back Edge Of Motor Tube
FIN-LOK™Ring
Location Marks
4-5/8"/117mm
From Back Edge of
Motor Tube
Front
End
3"
76 mm
2"
51 mm
4-1/16"
103 mm
Front Edge of
Back FIN-
LOK™ Ring
Back Edge Of
Motor Tube
Tube Coupler
Marking Guide
Back Edge Of
Front FIN-LOK™
Ring
Motor
Hook
Slot
4-5/8"
117 mm
MOTOR TUBE ASSEMBLY
FIN-LOK™ ring will be. Make another mark 2"(51 mm)
from the back end of the motor tube. This mark locates
where the front edge of the rear most FIN-LOK™ ring will
be.
4. Insert the tab of the motor hook into the slot cut into the
motor tube. Use a small dowel to apply several drops
of cement around the inside of the motor tube just
behind where the motor hook comes through the
motor tube wall. Then, with the thrust ring flange facing
the back of the motor tube, insert the thrust ring assembly
into the motor tube until it stops, against the motor hook
tab.
NOTE: FROM THIS POINT ON, DO NOT USE ANY
CEMENT UNTIL REACHING ASSEMBLY STEP 5.
1. With their motor hook channels aligned with the motor
hook, slide a FIN-LOK™ ring and then the middle center-
ing ring over the front end of the motor tube. Push on the
middle AERO-FIBRE™centering ring until the back edge
of the FIN-LOK™ ring is moved to the forward most mark
made in Step 3 above. (NOTE: The rings are designed to
be a tight fit on the motor tube. If the rings are difficult to
slide onto the motor tube, round the inside edges of the
rings with sandpaper. If the FIN-LOK™ rings need to be
turned after they are on the motor tube, use a small piece
of cloth to provide a better grip.)
2. Slide the other FIN-LOK™ ring over the back end of the
motor tube until the front edge of the FIN-LOK™ ring is
at the rear-most mark made in Step 3.
3. Using the line on the motor tube as a guide, gently twist the
back FIN-LOK™ ring slightly until the fin locks of the back
FIN-LOK™ ring are aligned with the fin locks of the front
FIN-LOK™ ring.
Thrust Ring
Assembly

3
FIN-LOK™ ASSEMBLY (CONT.)
Screw
Eye
Front
Centering
Ring
Baffle
Flange
Motor
Tube
Permanent
Cooling Mesh
(Stretch Out - 6")
Ejection
Gas Baffle
Shoulder
DO NOT ALLOW CEMENT
TO GET IN THE FIN LOCKS
Front
End
DO NOT CEMENT COOLING
MESH INTO MOTOR TUBE
LABYRINTH™ ASSEMBLY
Middle
Centering
Ring
Fin
Locks
Cement
Beads
1/4"/6mm
Cuts
the finlocks where the front FIN-LOK™ ring meets the
middle AERO-FIBRE™centering ring and the motor tube.
6. Without getting cement into any of the fin locks, apply
cement only to the areas BETWEEN the fin locks where
only the front edge of the back FIN-LOK™ring meets the
motor tube. DO NOT apply cement to the back edge of the
back FIN-LOK™ ring. (NOTE: The unique AEROTECH
FIN-LOK™ fin mounting system carries and distributes
aerodynamic and thrust loads throughout an integrated
rocket structure in a manner found in large aerospace
vehicles. Loads are primarily borne by structural mem-
bers and not cement.)
7. Apply a bead of cement around the motor hook forward of
the middle AERO-FIBRE™ centering ring.
4. Test the proper positioning and alignment of the FIN-
LOK™ rings by snapping the fins into the fin locks. If any
fin does not snap into place, check to see that each FIN-
LOK™ ring is the correct distance from the back end of the
motor tube and that the fin has no plastic flashing left from
production that may be preventing a proper fit. In addition,
the height of the ribs on either side of the FIN-LOK™ tab
may need to be reduced. Make any adjustments with a
hobby knife or sandpaper. After making any changes,
carefully remove the fins from the FIN-LOK™ rings.
Check that the middle centering ring is still positioned next
to and touching the front FIN-LOK™ ring.
5. Apply a bead of cement where the front centering ring
meets the motor tube. Without getting cement into any of
the finlocks, apply cement only to the areas BETWEEN
1. Make four 1/4" (6mm) long cuts, 90 degrees apart, in the
front end of the motor tube.
2. Stretch out the cooling mesh to about 6" (15cm) in length.
Insert the cooling mesh into the front end of the motor
tube. (NOTE: Do not cement the mesh into the motor
tube.)
3. Apply a thin film of cement to the front 2/3rd's of the
shoulder of the ejection gas baffle and insert the baffle
shoulder into the front end of the motor tube.
4. Apply beads of cement where the baffle meets the
motor tube and into each of the cuts in the motor tube.
5. Apply cement to the front surface of the baffle flange and
place the front AERO-FIBRE™ centering ring over the
front end of the baffle so it rests upon the baffle flange.
6. Screw the screw eye all the way into the hole at the front
end of the baffle. Securely tie an end of the shock cord to
the screw eye with a square knot. (CAUTION: Do not put
cement on the knot of the shock cord. Cement will weaken
the shock cord.)
Shock
Cord

4
LOWER BODY AND FIN ASSEMBLY
1. Screw the other screw eye all the way into the hole in the
bulkhead (3/32"/2.4 mm thick). Apply a bead of cement
where the screw eye meets the bulkhead.
2. Pass the free end of the shock cord through the coupler tube
(6"/15 cm long) and securely tie it to the screw eye attached
to the bulkhead with a square knot. (CAUTION: Do not put
cement on the knot or the shock cord. Cement will weaken
the shock cord.)
3. Cement the bulkhead to the end of the coupler tube.
Fin
FIN-LOK™
Tab
Fin
Slot
Launch Lug
Slots
Motor
Tube
Assembly Body
Tube
Launch Lugs
1. Using a hobby knife, carefully remove any body tube
material that may still be attached to the pre-cut slots in the
body tube.
2. Insert the loose end of the shock cord and then the motor
tube assembly into the back of the rocket body tube as
shown. Position the motor tube assembly so that the fin
locks are located under and visible through the body
tube's pre-cut fin slots.
3. Apply cement along the full length of the fin root of a fin
(area of the fin that makes contact with the outside surface
of the body tube). Carefully insert the fin through a slot in
the body tube and snap the fin into place. Repeat this
process for the other two fins. (NOTE: Each fin should be
snug against the body tube.)
4. Through the back end of the body tube, apply cement
where the fin tabs meet the motor tube, fin locks, front
AERO-FIBRE™centering ring and body tube. Through
the front end of the body tube, apply cement where the
baffle assembly centering ring meets the inside surface of
the body tube.
5. Lightly sand the surface of the lower body tube around the
launch lug slots. Apply cement to the base of a launch lug.
With the sloping portion of the launch lug toward the front
of the lower body tube, insert the tab on the bottom of the
lug into one of the pre-cut launch lug slots in the body tube.
Repeat this process for the other launch lug.
UPPER BODY ASSEMBLY
Bulkhead
Pencil
Mark Screw
Eye
Coupler Tube
Assembly
Upper
Body Tube
Nose
Cone
Nose
Cone
Shoulder
Pencil
Mark
Coupler
Tube
Shock
Cord
4. Make a pencil mark 3" (76 mm) from an end of the coupler
tube using the location guide. Lightly sand the surface of
the tube between the mark and the bulkhead. Use a small
dowel to apply a bead of cement around the inside of the
upper body tube about 1" (25 mm) from the end of the tube.
Then slide the coupler tube into the upper body tube up to
the pencil mark on the coupler tube.
5. Cement the nose cone into the forward end of the upper
body tube.

5
bowl with warm water and put one or two drops of a
dishwashing detergent into the water.
6. Carefully peel a decal off its backing, dip it into the
detergent solution and apply the decal to the rocket. The
detergent solution prevents the adhesive on the decal
from "grabbing" the rocket surface too quickly and allows
accurate positioning of the decal.
7. Gently press any air bubbles out from under the decal and
then dab the decal dry.
8. Apply the rest of the decals in the same manner.
1. Reference the photograph of the completed G-Force
rocket on the first page of these instructions for proper
decal positioning.
2. Handle the decal sheet carefully to avoid damage. Do not
crease the decal sheet.
3. Use a pair of sharp scissors or a hobby knife to cut out the
decals.
4. Make smooth cuts. Small nicks can cause a decal to tear
when it is being peeled off the backing sheet.
5. Before starting to peel decals off their backings, fill a soup
DECAL INSTRUCTIONS
FINAL ASSEMBLY AND FINISHING
CUTAWAY VIEW OF COMPLETED G-FORCE™
VEHICLE DATA
Length: 60"/152cm
Diameter: 4.0"/10.2cm
Nose Cone: 4:1 Ogive
Weight (Without Motor): 32oz/970 gms.
Fins: 3 Tapered swept with compound
airfoil
Stages: 1
Motor Mount: 29mm
Recovery System: 42" Parachute
Centering
Ring Upper Body
Tube Assembly
Shock Cord
green" gloss paint (CAUTION: Make sure the paint is
compatible with high impact polystyrene plastic.).
3. Tie a loop in the middle of the shock cord. Thread the 42"
(107cm) parahute shroud lines through the loop in the
shock cord. Stretch out the shroud lines of the parachute
so that the lines form three (3) loops on top of the other.
Pass the canopy of the parachute through the three (3)
loops made by the shroud lines and pull tight.
1. Slide the remaining centering ring over the back of the
motor tube and motor hook and push it against the back
FIN-LOK™ ring. Apply a bead of cement where the
centering ring meets the body tube.
2. Clean the rocket with a damp cloth. Paint the entire rocket
with a primer coat of light gray paint. Let the primer dry.
Paint the lower body tube assembly with a gloss black
paint and the upper body tube assembly with a "sea foam
Lower Body
Tube Assembly

6
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. RECOMMENDED MOTORS: Only use AEROTECH composite model
rocket motors when flying your AEROTECH rocket. See enclosed chart
for recommended motors and projected altitudes.
2. RECOVERY SYSTEM PREPARATION: Roll the parachute and shroud
lines. Start from the canopy peak and roll the parachute and shroud lines
into a tight cylinder that will easily slide into the tube coupler assembly.
Place this parachute into the tube coupler assembly followed by the shock
cord. Insert the remaining shock cord length into the body tube and insert
the coupler tube for the upper body assembly. Make sure that the
parachutes, shroud lines and shock cords are not caught between the
body tube and the tube coupler assembly. The tube coupler assembly
should slide freely into the lower body assembly. (NOTE: Because your
AEROTECH rocket has the LABYRINTH™ ejection gas cooling system,
no recovery wadding is required.)
3. MOTOR PREPARATION: The motors recommended for your AERO-
TECH rocket vary in physical size as well as performance. Your rocket
comes with a spacer tube that permits the rocket to use each of the
recommended motors without permanent modification to the rocket.
Prepare your AEROTECH rocket motor according to the instructions that
come with the motor. Be sure the motor hook snaps in behind the nozzle
end of the motor and holds the motor securely in place. If the motor hook
does not hold the motor in place, bend the end of the hook until it does.
4. PRE-LAUNCH CHECKOUT: Before EVERY flight, perform a complete
pre-launch checkout of your rocket;
• Check that all fins and launch lugs are mounted securely and not
damaged.
• Examine the body tube, nose cone and payload bay to make sure
they are free of damage.
• Check that the shock cord is securely mounted to the screw eyes
attached to the ejection gas baffle and tube coupler assembly
bulkhead.
• Check that the parachute is securely tied to the shock cord.
• Check that the shock cord and parachute are free of any damage.
• See that the tube coupler assembly, packed parachute and shock
cord move freely. After awhile, an ejection charge residue may build
up on the top inside surface of the body tube. Wipe this residue away
with isopropyl ("rubbing") alcohol.
• With the tail of the rocket pointed down and the motor tube empty,
shake the rocket to remove any loose ejection charge debris left
from a previous flight. Periodically, "fluff up" the cooling mesh using
a bent wire inserted through the back end of the motor tube.
• Be certain the motor to be used is a recommended AEROTECH
model rocket motor and of a size appropriate for the launch area.
• Be sure the motor hook, motor adaptor and motor tube are not
damaged and hold the motor securely in place.
If the pre-launch checkout reveals any damage, repair the damage
before the rocket is flown again.
5. LAUNCH PAD: Your AEROTECH rocket must be flown from a launch pad
with a 1/4"(6.4mm) diameter metal launch rod at least 36"(0.9m) long (as
measured from the top of the blast deflector), such as the AEROTECH
MANTIS™ model rocket launch pad.
6. MOTOR IGNITION: Only launch your rocket using a remotely controlled
and electrically operated launch controller such as the AEROTECH®
INTERLOCK™ model rocket launch controller. Keep yourself and all
other people at least 30 feet (10 meters) away from the rocket during
launch.
7. LAUNCH AREA: Launch the rocket in a cleared outdoor area free of tall
trees, power lines and buildings. The side dimensions of the cleared area
should be at least one half of the projected altitude. An area for a radius
of at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from the launcher should be clear of dry grass
or other flammable substances. Read and follow the Model Rocket Safety
Code of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and comply with all
federal, state and local laws in all activities with model rockets.
8. FLIGHT PROFILE: When the launch button of the electrical launch
controller is pressed, an electrical current causes the AEROTECH COP-
PERHEAD™ single lead igniter to ignite the composite propellant of the
AEROTECH rocket motor. The motor quickly builds up thrust and powers
your AEROTECH rocket into the air. During powered flight the rocket
increases in speed and altitude. When the propellant burns out the rocket
is moving at maximum velocity and a time delay material (delay grain)
inside the motor burns. While the delay grain burns the rocket coasts to
peak altitude at which point the delay grain ignites the ejection charge
within the forward part of the motor. The ignition of the ejection charge
creates a burst of hot expanding gas which is cooled by the permanent
metal mesh of the LABYRINTH™ ejection gas cooling system. The
cooled gas flows around the baffle, pressurizes the parachute bay and
ejects the nose cone (or payload bay) and parachute. The parachute then
deploys and gently returns the rocket to the ground where the rocket can
be prepared for another flight.
9. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE: To avoid damage to your AEROTECH
rocket during transport, pack it in a box surrounded by soft packing. Store
your rocket at room temperature.
No warranty either expressed or implied is made regarding AeroTech/RCS products,
except for replacement or repair, at RCS’s option, of those products which are proven
to be defective in manufacture within one year from the date of original purchase. For
repair or replacement under this warranty, please contact RCS. Proof of purchase will
be required. Note: Your state may provide additional rights not covered by this warranty.
NOTICE: As we cannot control the storage and use of our products, once sold we cannot
assume any responsibility for product storage, transportation or usage. RCS shall not
be held responsible for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the
handling, storage or use of our product. The buyer assumes all risks and liabilities
therefrom and accepts and uses AeroTech/RCS products on these conditions.
AeroTech Division
RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc.
Cedar City, UT 84720
www.aerotech-rocketry.com
Made in U.S.A.
©2004 RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc., All rights reserved.