Model rockets generally do not produce “hot bits” that fall to earth. (if they are used in accordance with instructions/regulations) They are not fireworks, and are specifically designed to operate without causing fires.
Niece and nephew live within walking distance and are over multiple times a week, Sis has her house built on the property (again, reference the 50 acres of land)
Niece is 11, nephew, 13, both are in the local Oddysey of the Mind competitions and do very well
My decision… I’m building a Bogen 3001 based pad, buying (for now) a launch control, and building the Estes rocket kits to start, no starter packs, I’m taking the time to do it right, if the kids want the kit shortcut, they can buy their own starter kit…
Option 3 for me, then option 4 
Heh.
Middlebro was really into rocketry in the '60s & '70s; his launch pad and rod was a simple thick wooden block with a steel rod screwed into it.
Word to the wise.
If you have a D engine, and you wish to convert it from a D to a super D…
DO NOT put it in a vise and slowly tap a nail through the nozzle and into the propellant.
As to converting it by using a slowly rotating drill bit you are your own.
I am so overthinking this thing…
Launch pad; go to hardware store, buy 5’ long brass rod of correct diameter
Jam rod into ground at least 6-12", place two 2" thick lucite blocks on either side ( I have a pile of these from work, for free
Launch controller; 6v lantern battery, lamp cord and alligator clips (4) from home workshop, bare the ends of the lamp cord, put alligator clips on all four ends, clip to igniter at rocket end, clip to negative terminal on battery, touch positive clip to positive terminal on battery to launch
Total cost? The price of a lantern battery and a brass rod
Dimensions of the cardboard tube from work;
3.1" diameter
Wall thickness; .055 (thinnest point), .085 (thickest point)
Not a brass rod. Try to get piano wire. 1/8 inch for a “regular” rocket launch pad, 1/4 inch for a mid-power D or E rocket.
Other than that, you’re correct. Simply and easy to set up is often better.
Would work just fine.
The nose cone would be a challenge, since this is not a “standard” sized tube.
Also, with a rocket of this diameter, you’ll need to have some serious power… E or F. And this means it needs to be built very solidly (fins and engine mount, recovery etc.). So start small and build up to large…
When I was launching rockets, the D-motors ones seemed to do just fine with the ⅛" launch rods. Estes sells a 3/16" rod that they suggest for their higher-power C-motors, D-motors, and E-motors.
First you have to get your hands on a Reliant Robin.
I stopped off at the hobby shop, picked up a couple level 1 kits
The classic, rite of passage Mosquito, which I’ve already built, just waiting for the wood glue to dry, then I’ll paint it, I’m thinking blaze orange (to aid in recovery) with one black fin, I’m also thinking of using the scrap “trim” balsa left over to create a set of micro fins near the nose, to make it truly custom, and slightly increase the drag for the tumble recovery…, I will admit I was dissapointed that the nose cone was plastic, I think it was balsa originally
I also want to order another Mosquito so I can build it with inverted fins, facing forward…
I also picked up another micro engine model,the Sequoia, something about that long pointed wooden nose cone and collar made it look like the rockets from my youth
I will be ordering a couple mosquitos for my niece and nephew, it’ll be a tradition to start with the little 'skeeter…why doesn’t Estes sell a Mosquito starter kit, that’d be a great classic setup, the launch pad, controller, and a “swarm” of mosquitos, at least 4, maybe even 6, perfect for families entering rocketry or introducing their kids… I think I’ll suggest it to Estes…
AJ-26. Just saying…
Yeah, the plastic is disappointing. And AFAIK, they don’t make a plastic nose cone for my favourite rocket, the Astron Sprint. (Otherwise it would be very easy to make a scratch copy.) For other rockets though, think of the time you’ll save not having to use balsa filler or white glue to seal the pores before painting.
It doesn’t take much finning at the nose to reduce the dynamic stability to zero. At which point the rocket wants to go every which way, including up your pants.
A complete newbie should look for G. Harry Stein’s book. It’ll teach you how to make anything except the rocket engine. The book advises beginners to start with small models using A and B engines. Multi-stage, boost gliders, payloads, and large models using F engines should be for expetienced hobbyists.
And do not bother with the really little ones like the Estes “Mosquito.” Even with the the smallest 1/2A motor you can buy, it’ll go up with a “pfft” and you’ll never see it again.
My Mosquito is almost complete, the paint is drying, I went with a blaze orange main paint, for maximum visibility, with one black fin and black tips on the other two, mainly for contrast
I’ve also started the Sequoiya, nose cone and engine mount are complete, and just set the first fin on the main fuselage
These fins are a tad annoying to set, I think a fin alignment jig is in order here…
As far as colors on the Sequoiya? Maybe blue/white/red (French flag)
When you go into payloads, try a video cam. I’ve never seen a video of a rocket taking off (pilot’s POV.)
might work for you. we painted mine bright yellow and red, and when I launched it I just watched it shoot up and thought “Well, never gonna see that again.”
except I did, a week or so later when a kid down the street brought it by our house, smushed flat as a pancake. found it several blocks away.
why not?
Back in the olden days, (1970’s) there was The Cineroc. This most remarkable device let you shoot Super 8 film from a rocket from launch to recovery. They were finicky, and if you got useable film, you were the envy of everyone who had ever flown a rocket. Club meetings would be organized around the showing of a single 2 minute film.
As it cost $20.00, there was no way on earth I was ever going to get one.
Fast forward to today; With the advent of tiny digital cameras, there is a metric butt-load of videos on youtube showing video of rocket launches. I’ve done it myself with a simple key-chain camera just taped to the outside of a large rocket. Absolutely simple.