Estes Explorer Aquarius Fins

On some model rockets with bent tubes, estes style, I buy a new piece of tube and cut a section length wise. I then wrap the bent rocket tube with the now over sized piece and glue in place.

also, I could cut the bend out and section in the new piece with a tube coupler.

or I can just cut the fins off the badly bent rocket and glue them on the new tube.

others may have even better ways to preserve the bent rocket.

art

Get another tube of the same diameter, cut the original tube just below the bend, and attach the new tube with a tube coupler at the cut. Be careful with weights, though. If the bend is too low, the extra tube coupler might shift the cg back a little too far (had that happen on a gemini dc...It wasn't pretty!).

If it is just a slight crimp, you might just want to try sliding a tube coupler into the tube at the position of the crimp, and glue in place. This should straighten out the tube without the cutting/gluing/repainting of tubes.

I've had good results with balsa "splints". Disadvantages; changes the look and the CG, so best for "sport" rockets and where the damaeg is in the front. Also, if you can straighten the tube by pulling it, CYA can be used to stiffen the problem area.