How to make a toy rocket for your kids fun to make and use.
If you want to paint the tubes, use some old emulsion paint, and let it dry thoroughly before taping them together. The top part is a slightly narrower tube that fits into the main centre one. I used some foam packing strip to keep it central, and jam it in place. Some hot-glue around the top of the join makes it stronger. I used some Grey sticky tape, and aluminium sticky tape, around the centre and top sections, to add some colour contrast. Some of the aluminium tape is on the bottom of the 4 rocket motors too.
The push-on push-off type switches are best, as these can be pushed through from the inside, and the retaining collar screwed on. When you are happy with the position of the lighting circuitry, you can glue the lamp holder in place to stop it rattling about, and put a dab of hot-glue on the bulb thread, to stop it working loose .Finally, glue the plastic tops in place. Four AA batteries and a 6 Volt flashing bulb works fine. If using a 3 volt bulb, then you only need a 2 x AA holder. If you opt for a FLASHING LED, there are various high-brightness ones at MAPLIN. You can use a “TILT” switch so the light comes on when vertical, and goes off when horizontal.