ESTES 9723 Black Brant II Rocket User Guide

: June 13, 2024
: ESTES

Table of Contents

9723 Black Brant II Rocket
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

9723 Black Brant II Rocket

Product Information

Product Name: BLACK BRANT XII

Manufacturer: EstesRockets.com

Ages: 18+

Skill Level: EXPERT

Product Usage Instructions

Step 1: Fin Preparation

Carefully remove all K, L, and M pieces with a hobby
knife.
Apply yellow glue to piece K. Align pieces L and M to K.
Apply yellow glue to another set of pieces L and M and align to
K.
Place weight on fin assembly until glue dries.
Align the edge of the sanding bar on the joint between L and M.
Angle the outer edge of the sanding bar down to create a slant.
Move the sanding bar back and forth along the joint between L and
M.
Bevel the edge of the fin to almost the center of the three
glued pieces of balsa. Angle down from the center line.
Bevel all four edges of the fin.
Round the leading and trailing edge of the fin.
After rounding edges, apply thin CA glue to rounded edges to
harden them.

Step 2: Fin Preparation (continued)

Carefully remove all N, O, and P pieces with a hobby
knife.
Apply yellow glue to piece N. Align pieces O and P to N.
Apply yellow glue to another set of pieces O and P and align to
N.
Place weight on fin assembly until glue dries.
Align the edge of the sanding bar on the joint between O and P.
Angle the outer edge of the sanding bar down to create a slant.
Move the sanding bar back and forth along the joint between O and
P.
Bevel the edge of the fin to almost the center of the three
glued pieces of balsa. Angle down from the center line.
Bevel all four edges of the fin.
Round the leading and trailing edge of the fin.
After rounding edges, apply thin CA glue to rounded edges to
harden them.

Step 3: Small Detail Preparation

Carefully remove all V and U pieces with a hobby knife.
Using a pencil, make marks on U using the guide lines from
Diagram 1.
Use a sanding block to bevel all of the top edges of piece U
according to the guide lines.
Repeat these steps for all small detail pieces.

Note: Please refer to the complete user manual for additional
steps and instructions.

9723

EstesRockets.com

BLACK BRANT XII

AGES
18+

Skill Level
EXPERT

MODEL ROCKET INSTRUCTIONS KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
IMPORTANT: Please record date found on decal and keep for future reference. __ READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS. Make sure you have all parts and supplies. Test fit all parts before applying glue. Refer to your glue manufacturer’s dry times during build.
SUPPLIES

HOBBY KNIFE PENCIL YELLOW GLUE THIN

FINE

FILE

CA GLUE SANDPAPER

SANDING BLOCK

WEIGHT

EPOXY

MASKING TAPE

RULER CLEAR TAPE WHITE

PAINT CLEAR COAT

PRIMER (Listed on Pg. 8) (OPTIONAL)

H

072412 29mm engine
retainer set
A
031966 14 in. engine
mount tube

T
031967 16 in. body tube

S

x4 073157 Fin

C

G

031362 Green ring

090001-9723 Waterslide decal

K

N

V U

K

090051A-9723 Laser cut balsa

N

090051C-9723 Laser cut balsa

090051E-9723 Laser cut balsa

D
072401 Blow molded
plastic

E
031968 61/8 in. body tube

I
031969 9¼ in. body tube

R
072402 Blow molded
plastic
AA

072399 Blow molded
plastic

Y
035814 Nylon parachute

X
038374 Shock cord
W

M

QM

M

L

QL

L

085705 Clay

P

O

x2 090051B-9723
Laser cut balsa

P

O

x2 090051D-9723
Laser cut balsa

B

090052-9723 Laser cut
card stock
F

J
038360 Kevlar cord
Z
x2 038181
Launch lug

1

FIN PREPARATION
1. Carefully remove all K, L, and M pieces with a hobby knife.

K

M

QM

M

L

QL

L

2. Apply yellow glue to K. Align L and M to K.

3. Apply yellow glue to another L and M and align to K.

4. Place weight on fin assembly until glue dries.

M L

M L K

K
5. Align the edge of the sanding bar on the joint between L and M.
Angle the outer edge of the sanding bar down to create a slant.
Move the sanding bar back and forth along joint between L and M.

M
L
6. Bevel the edge of the fin to almost the
center of the three glued pieces of balsa.

Center line Angle down.
M

M L
7. Bevel all four edges of the fin.

L

8. Round the leading and
trailing edge of the fin.

9. After rounding edges, apply
thin CA glue to rounded edges
to harden the edges.

FIN PREPARATION (continued)
1. Carefully remove all N, O, and P pieces with a hobby knife.

N

P

N

O

2. Apply yellow glue to N. Align O and P to N.
P O

3. Apply yellow glue to another O and P and align to N.
P O
N

N

P

O

2

NOTE:
Repeat these steps for all four fins.
CAUTION:
For safe handling of CA glue, see manufacturer’s warnings and follow instructions for use.

P

4. Place weight on fin

O

assembly until glue dries.

P O

FIN PREPARATION (continued)
5. Align the edge of the sanding bar on the joint between O and P.
Angle the outer edge of the sanding bar down to create a slant.
Move the sanding bar back and forth along joint between O and P.

6. Bevel the edge of the fin to almost the
center of the three glued pieces of balsa.

Center line

Angle down.

O

7. Bevel all four edges of the fin.

O
8. Round the leading and
trailing edge of the fin.

9. After rounding edges, apply
thin CA glue to rounded edges
to harden the edges.

NOTE: Repeat these steps for all four fins.

SMALL DETAIL PREPARATION
1. Carefully remove all V and U pieces with a hobby knife.
V U

3. Using a pencil, make marks
on U using the guide lines
U from Diagram 1.
Diagram 1

4. Use a sanding block
to bevel all of the top
surfaces of U.

SMALL DETAIL PREPARATION (continued)

1. Glue the two parts of V together at the flat ends.

V

BLOW MOLDED PARTS PREPARATION
1. Using a hobby knife with a new blade, cut out the
areas shown on C and D. Be sure to cut out the
side slots by cutting into the blow molded part at a 90° angle, rather than “shaving” the slots off.

Diagram 1

U
2. Align U with Diagram 1.

5. Wrap sand paper around T.

Move U back and forth over
sand paper to contour the

U

bottom of U.

U

Cross section of U.

T
NOTE: Repeat these steps
for all U pieces.

2. Sand V to round the top.

V

Cross section of V.

2. In a circular motion, use a sanding

block to even up the ends of each

D

blow molded part.

D

C

Cut out

NOTE:
Use a new hobby blade. Lightly score the areas to cut. It will take several passes to cut through the plastic.

C
NOTE: If needed, use a small file to open up the slots to accept the fins.
3

BLOW MOLDED PARTS PREPARATION (continued)

1. Using a hobby knife with a new blade,
cut out the areas shown on R. Be sure
to cut out the side slots by cutting into the blow molded part at a 90° angle, rather than “shaving” the slots off.

NOTE:
Use a new hobby blade. Lightly score the areas to cut. It will take several passes to cut through the plastic.

2. Using a hobby knife, cut out
the areas shown on AA.
Cut out
AA

R

4. Cut out

Guide clay into hole at the

bottom of the nose cone.

AA
3. Roll clay on a flat surface

to form into a long, thin piece.
W

5. Use a stick or a strip of scrap balsa
to push the clay firmly in place at

the front of the nose cone.

AA

ASSEMBLE ENGINE MOUNT AND LOWER SECTION OF MODEL ROCKET

1. Use door frame or Estes
Tube Marking Guide to
draw a line on E.

NOTE:

DOOR FRAME.

Before gluing any of these parts in place, trial fit all parts to confirm fit and assembly steps.

E

H

NOTE:
It would be best to perform these steps with the assembly standing up on a flat surface.

B

C

A

E

A

C

A

C
Make sure ends are even.

5. Carefully remove C, D, E, and H.
Leave both B rings in place.

A

H

D
B A

Align seam on blow molded parts
C and D with the line drawn on tube E.
D
E
C

B

C

A

E

D

H

6. Glue both sides
of both B rings. B

A B

NOTE:
Quickly proceed to next step before glue dries.

7. After applying glue to B rings, reassemble all the
parts. Stand assembly up so the bottom of part
C is resting on a flat surface. Let glue dry.

8. Once glue dries, remove
C, D, E, and H again.

C

E

D

4

ASSEMBLE ENGINE MOUNT AND LOWER SECTION OF MODEL ROCKET (continued)

9. Slide C and H back into place.

A

B

10. Slide tube E past the first B ring,
then apply epoxy to inside of tube.
E

C B
A

11. Apply epoxy to
the inside tube E. A

H

12. Slide D into tube E.

D

A E

C
C
13. Align seam on blow molded parts
C and D with the line drawn on tube E.

C

E

CAUTION:
For safe handling of epoxy, see manufacturer’s warnings and follow instructions for use.

D

LET DRY

SHOCK CORD ANCHOR ATTACHMENT

Tie double knot

1. Using a hobby knife, remove one
inner wrap of paper from G.

2. Wrap end of kevlar J
around end of tube A
and tie a double knot.

J A

G

J
5.
G
D

D

6. Thread kevlar J though tube I.
Apply epoxy inside tube I.

D

J

3. Apply glue around tube A.

J

and kevlar knot. Thread

opposite end of
kevlar J through small hole in F.

F A

D

I

4. Apply glue around tube A.
Silde ring G over end J of tube A.
AG D

7. Slide tube I over the end of D.
Tie a loop on the end of kevlar J.

C

E

FIN INSTALLATION

L

1. M

Apply epoxy to tab
on fin K. Insert fin

into slots on C.

K

M

E

2. L

E

C

D

I

LET DRY

4. Apply small glue fillets to

all areas where the fins make contact with the

plastic blow molded

parts.

x4

5

J
5. Add glue fillets to all 16
internal fin/body tube and fin/engine mount joints.
NOTE: Use Diagram 2 on page 7 for fin alignment guide.

FIN INSTALLATION (continued)

5. Apply glue to the inside of C, the outside of
the end of tube A., and the ends of the fin tabs. Place ring B into C flush

against the fin tabs.

E

C

B

P O

I

D

E

x4

7. Apply epoxy to tab

P O

on fin N. Insert fin

into slots on D.

N

I

D

E

10. Apply small glue fillets to
all areas where the fins make contact with the plastic blow molded parts.
D

E

LAUNCH LUG MOUNT ASSEMBLY
1. Carefully remove all Q pieces with a hobby knife.

M

QM

L

QL

Z

2. Apply glue to one side

M

of one Q piece. Align both Q pieces and
put them together.
Q

3. Apply glue to the edge
of Q pieces. Place launch lug Z on glued edge of Q.

Q

L

LAUNCH LUG ATTACHMENT

1. Measure the center between

the fins on the bottom of C

the bottom of tube I and
apply glue.

C

Z

Even with the end of tube.

INSTALL ENGINE RETAINER
1. Roughen inside of H with sandpaper. 2. Apply epoxy to the outside of tube A.
H

C A

Even with the end of tube.

I

Z

Launch lug with

Q attached.

2. Place the launch lugs ensuring that align between the middle of the fins.
LET DRY

3. With the notched side of H facing in towards the rocket, place H over tube A.
6

FIN ALIGNMENT RESOURCE PAGE
NOTE: Cut out this resource page and keep for future use.
Diagram 2
Diagram 4
7

THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
8

ATTACH SMALL DETAIL PARTS
1. Align tube T on
Diagram 3 and mark detail placement lines with a pencil.

Diagram 3

T T

2. Slide the end of blow molded part AA into tube T.

AA

T

AA

3. Use door frame or Estes
Tube Marking Guide to extend the detail placement
lines on T and AA.
DOOR FRAME.
T
AA

4. Separate T and AA. Measure
and mark the distances shown below for correct placement of small detail parts.
3.24 in. (82.3 mm)
T U
U
V

5. Apply glue to the under side of V and all four U pieces.
Align all small detail parts to the guide lines and place
them on T and AA as shown below.
T
AA
U

AA

U

U U

11.4 in.

(289.5 mm)

U

V

4 in (103 mm)

T

9

AA
LET DRY

PLASTIC FIN INSTALLATION
1. Using a sanding bar, sand flat the
area around the fin slots on R.
Repeat for all four fin slots.
R

2. Apply CA glue to the bottom
of fin S. Place fin into fin slot. S
R

3. S
R

x4
NOTE: Use Diagram 4 on page 7 for fin alignment guide.

5. Apply epoxy to inside of the

bottom of tube T. Slide plastic

T

fin assembly into tube T.

R

Diagram 5

6. Align small detail parts
with fins using Diagram 5.
T

7. Apply clear tape to the shoulder
of AA to create snug fit into tube T. Insert AA into tube T.
T

AA
Clear tape

R
LET DRY

NOTE: Model needs to be balanced
before gluing AA into place.

T

AA

ROCKET FINISHING
1. Spray rocket with white primer, let dry, and sand. Repeat until rocket is smooth. 2. Mask off various parts of the rocket and paint using the colors shown below. 3. OPTIONAL: Apply protective clear coat. 4. OPTIONAL: Apply waterslide decals.

YELLOW PAINT

RED PAINT ORANGE PAINT
BLACK PAINT

WHITE PAINT

SILVER PAINT
10

BLACK PAINT

LET DRY

SILVER PAINT
NOTE: Please refer to packaging for suggested paint scheme and/or decal placement.
CAUTION: See manufacturer’s warnings and instructions before using spray finishing products.

PARACHUTE AND SHOCK CORD ATTACHMENT

R

Y

X J

I

R
Double knot.

4. Tie shock cord X to the loop at
the end of J. Tie the other end of X to the eyelet on R.

Y

BALANCE MODEL BEFORE FLIGHT
NOTE: Be sure engine is installed when balancing model.

WARNING:
DO NOT fly model rocket with the center of gravity further back than 38.69 in. from the tip of the nose cone.

Y
1. Add additional clay to the inside of the nose cone
as needed to balance the model rocket.

CG

GLUE NOSE CONE IN PLACE

38.69 in. (982.66 mm)

T

AA

1. Once the rocket is balanced, add epoxy to inside of tube T.
PREPARE RECOVERY WADDING

2. Insert AA into T.

LET DRY

5-6 SQUARES OF ESTES RECOVERY
WADDING

1. Push recovery wadding down
towards end of the body tube.

A
NOTE:

2. Using a stick or a dowel, push the
recovery wadding into the engine
mount tube A.

Be sure not to pack wadding too tightly.

PREPARE ENGINE
ENGINE
1. Wrap 6 to 8 layers of
masking tape over end of engine, overlapping the bottom ¼ in.

2. Trim off excess tape. 3.

4. Use one each.

PLUG

STARTER

TIP MUST TOUCH PROPELLANT
11

COUNTDOWN AND LAUNCH
NOTE: Key always out until final countdown.
3″ (7.6 cm)

Fully extend your launch controller wire before launching.
Insert key. Bulb will light.

While holding yellow button down FIRMLY, press launch red button until LIFTOFF!

Firmly press and HOLD the yellow button and begin countdown.

NOTE: Estimated weight: 11.5 oz. (326 g)
ESTES® LAUNCH SUPPLIES NEEDED (Sold Separately) · Pro Series IITM Launch Base · Pro Series IITM Launch Controller · Recovery Wadding · Starters (with engines) · Plugs (with engines) · Recommended Estes® Engines: E16-6, F15-6

PRE-LAUNCH CHECK For safety, never launch a damaged rocket. Check the rocket’s body, nose cone and fins. Also, check the engine mount, recovery system and launch lug(s). Repair any damage before launching the rocket.
FLYING YOUR ROCKET Choose a large field (1000 ft. [305 m] square) free of dry weeds and brown grass. The larger the launch area, the better your chance of recovering your rocket. Launch only with little or no wind and good visibility. Always follow the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) SAFETY CODE (enclosed).
MISFIRES TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE CONTROLLER. WAIT ONE MINUTE BEFORE GOING NEAR THE ROCKET. Disconnect the micro-clips and remove the engine. Take the plug and starter out of the engine. A burned starter means the starter tip was not touching engine propellant. Install a new starter; be sure the tip is touching propellant inside the engine. Push the plug in place. Repeat steps under Countdown and Launch.

PN 090004-9723 (6-23)