Henk provided the following information with his entry:

Hallo,

I like to enter my design “Octo” in to the Design of the Month competition.   The name of the rocket is chosen for its 8 fins and ribs on the outside of the body tube. As you, undoubtedly, know is octo (oktoo) the Greek word for 8 (eight).

The Octo was launched for the first time on Saturday, September 18th 2004.  I learned from the launching of the Zwaluw (see the august entry ) to take it easy on the first launch. So I launched the Octo on its first flight on a Quest A6-4.

In the accompanying files you will find drawings, parts list, pictures from the static model and technical info. Al the documents are in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf). The pictures are in JPG format.

The transition is the Fliskits AB-2050_100. This is a future part. So you will have to make one yourself. I have included a file with a template for a paper shroud and instructions on making a transition by using a shroud and centering rings or tube couplers (how_to_make_a_paper_transition.pdf).

The ribs are made from 2x2 mm balsa strips cut from normal 2 mm balsa stock. The ends of the ribs are tapered (octo_tapered.pdf).

I also included octo_fins.pdf. This document illustrates the use of the fin guide for putting the fins on the body tube. I use a glue stick for putting a small layer of glue on the under site of the buddy tube. I then set the tube on the fin guide and glue the fins on the tube. The fin guide is easily removed after about 15 minutes. Small parts of the fin guide that sometimes stick on the tube can be sanded away with 400 grit sanding paper.

The rocket is finished in silver (aluminium) and red. I also included a picture of an unfinished Octo ( In the nude so to speak. The first rocket pinup? Print it on an large paper format, fold it in tree, put two staples in the top fold, remove the staples and tape the picture to the inside of your locker…).

I hope you have fun building this rocket. And if you do, let me know. I like to see pictures of Octo’s build by fellow rocketeers. You can e-mail me at henk_siewert@hotmail.com. All questions on building the Octo (or the Zwaluw) will be answered (if you can put up with my English, or you have to learn Dutch J).

Have fun.