I think it's fine either way. If you put the fins on the long tube then you can use the short tube as a payload.

Nice job, confusing the beginners, by having the audio off by about 2 minutes.

That sounds like some good organization!

It's not needed if you tape the motor in like I did, starts at 30:40. I don't like to use the engine hooks in most rockets because they can get in the way of using different size motors.

There are several things you did different than the instructions. I’m trying to learn. Can you explain these choices to me?

Yes, because my general standard practice with rocket building is to include a payload section, which is consistent with the way high power rockets are generally designed. For the Cherokee E it doesn't matter as much. The reasons for payload are: it's better for the rocket to recover as to halves rather than a long section and nose cone because the rocket is less aerodynamic with two long sections and helps it to recover more gently in high wind conditions, also it creates more space to add weight or electronics such as altimeter especially if you add a bulkhead on the bottom of the coupler. I think they probably directed gluing fins on shorter section of tube to help with alignment because it's easier to look down on the fins if the tube is shorter (dont have to stand up to look down maybe), I'm not sure of this but I believe that's right because if I recall correctly my kit came with a go/no go gage for fin alignment so the designer was concerned the builder would not get the alignment correct as these are very large fins and easy to see if they mis-spaced circumferentially or angular misaligned. Dont worry about the fins being up a little bit from the bottom of the tube. My thought is that the intent was to prevent the fins from breaking by letting the body tube hit the ground first. The fins are so big on this rocket that the cp is very far aft so you really dont have to worry about getting your stability caliber/s. Let me know if I got to all the questions or need more clarity good luck with the rest of the build!

I just weighed the empty rocket on a KITCHEN GURUS scale and it read 102 grams. (I think it may still have some residual wadding left in it from last flight). I also weighed a new (not yet flown) Estes D12-5 motor on the scale and it read 46 grams. Tape for motor and wadding before flight gives me an on the pad weight estimate of about 175 grams.

I haven't tried it on an actual rocket yet but I've read that other people have had success doing it. I tried gluing a small piece of printer paper to balsa fin-stock a couple months ago and it looked really good. Didn't try spray painting but yes, it looks like a good technique I may need start implementing.

Yes, the standard estes launch pad has two holes, one for a 1/8" rod and another for the 3/16" rod. The launch pad box normally includes a 1/8" rod but not the 3/16" rod, which you will need to buy separately for the Cherokee E, I normally find nice long rods at the hardware store that are great for launching rockets. Also for launching the larger rockets (D motors and up) put some weights on the ends of the legs to keep the launch pad from tipping over or use tent pegs.

rwkhobbies thank you!

Glad the fins turned out well. Was it difficult to get the rounded corners? Did you just use sandpaper for that?

Yeah I agree the metal motor hooks are easier to use than tape but on more than one occasion I've built a rocket that I wanted to fly on a non-estes motor and it would not fit due to the motor block and/or motor hook, so I normally just use tape so I don't have to worry about modifying the motor retention design and I know every motor I want to use will fit.

Bob Smith Industries 30 minute

I have a D12 motor, perhaps the E12 is longer?

@@SuzukiKQ700owner yes, estes e motor is longer than the d motor. Did you watch until the end to see tape motor retention technique, that way the length doesn't matter.

@@rwkhobbies1969 thank you

That is true per the directions, I actually would say I disagree with cutting the launch lug in 2 pieces because it makes it harder to slide on the launch pad if they are slightly misaligned. Also rods at club launches may not be the exact right size or slightly bent from years of use, and Cherokee E flies straight without the extra time on rod during launch.