Danny,
One thing I noticed about original BT-30 (and the BT-40 repros that Quest used in their 50th Anniversary MMI Aerobee-Hi) weren't always precisely round. Is that true of the original BT-40 you have?

When I was REALLY just starting out, eartly 1971 maybe, and eight years old, I found one of those silver spin fin units. The "can" had split, melted open. I followed the directions in the Design Book to roll a tube (horrible, lumpy) and somehow got some soft wood to make a lumpy carved cone.

Maybe if enough people ask Firefox they'll stock some of their BT-40 equivalent tube *uncut* and we can make some Dirty Birds!

Bt-40
 

NO Need---I stocked up on those before semroc was sold. ...........

Bt-40
 

Actually, YES. These tubes are the Primitive tubes they started out to be. There is a slight 'oval' in the tube, but hardly noticeable--especially if they are used to build a kit. If Quest did this in the Repro Aerobee Hi kit, I applaud them for the accuracy in reproducing a 'true' as possible replica ! These old tubes are 1 of a kind & a joy to have. Thanks, Danny.

Agreed
 

Ha, Yes--Live & Learn. But those were the 1st, and from 1960--when most rockets were made from fire works parts ! I don't think they were designed to last long--just an early idea by G Harry & the rest....... Any Plastic fin unit exposed even 'Near' the exhaust, will melt some. Danny.

Oval Tubes
 

While not too pronounced, here's a pic of some BT 30 & 40s. Hope Pics. are clear,, but they are out of round, some. BTW--these are actually the earlier BT 1 & 2 Tubes. Danny.

Yes, everything was reproduced fairly exact except the nose cone (made of balsa instead of maple or vinyl) and the box (though they tried to make it look sorta like the old box. Inks today are too bright!)

Yesterday I scored some vintage rockets and engines on Craig's List and in the box was the mentioned fin can and a small piece of BT-30 or 40. I found the right size cone from the bag the fireworks vendor gave me and viola: a Sky Bird...or, reasonable facsimile thereof.

That is really cool!!....from the Jurassic world of model rocketry.