Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 27, Decals

There are 30 decals to place!

The front of the canopy decal is set back 1 3/8" from the front of the tube. The instructions say to scrape away paint around the decal for better adhesion of the canopy. You don't have to scrape the paint, I'll show another method coming up.

The center of the ramjet nose cone decal is cut out, close to the black ink. 

The outside of the ring is actually cut closer than shown in the picture.

Set the "NO STEP" wrap decal around the BT-50 tube dry first to get an idea of the spacing. The ends don't touch the root edge.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 26, Decal Fixes

Applying and aligning the wing leading edge decals is tricky!

Trim the clear edge tight at the upper corner.

Set the wide black centerline evenly over the leading edge, then fold down the sides. 

The outside edge (top) decal fits a little over the black outline of the leading edge decal already in place. I didn't get a perfect match at the corner.

Home drawn decals always seem to need some tweaks.

That's why I said to wait before requesting the decal PDF. 

I widened the wide end of the upper decal so the corners would match up (I hope!)

The "DANGER - KEEP OFF" grate decal needed a gray fill.

Another decal printing!

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 25, Canopy Fitting

I was lucky, I got a good canopy on the first try.

Clear, sharp with no bubbles.

The excess was trimmed off and the canopy sanded with 220 grit wrapped around a body tube. First around a BT-50, then around a BT-55.

Initial forming over a smaller tube cuts a sharper arc. Ideally you want to sand in a straight line, up and down. There can be some wiggle. You can get a better fit starting with a smaller diameter tube.

The front and back will sand easily and fit before the sides. Keep sanding until the sides contact the tube. 

Watch for the roll-around "stringers". These can be removed with light passes of 400 grit. Sand only the sides, don't scratch the clear surfaces.

Here's a near fit of the canopy. Note the sides haven't touched the tube yet. That means more sanding.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 24, Canopy Carving

On the left - 

The front window line is penciled in. 

On the right - 

That angled taper is cut and sanded.

The top to the rear is rounded.

Side windows are marked.

The front windows are left flat.

The bubble rear canopy is rounded tapering down to the back.

The wooden form is taller than it needs to be. The height will be lower after sanding to fit the BT-55 tube.

For an easier release of the clear vacu-form plastic - 

The entire canopy gets a coat of medium CA glue and is allowed to dry.

This hardens the wood. Sand smooth with 400 grit.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 23, Canopy Carving

Well, I'm cheap! I refuse to pay too much for a canopy when I can make it myself. It may not be an exact copy, but close enough for me.

I've carved a few canopies before, more instructions are found in my article for the Apogee Peak Of Flight Newsletter: CLICK HERE

I went to Michael's Crafts and bought a small bag of basswood blocks. The price was $10.00. I pulled up the Michael's website and found a 30% off digital coupon. That brought it down to $7.00.

The blocks were too big. Using a glue stick, a canopy print was stuck onto the block. Pencil border lines were drawn.

The block was held in my workmate vise and cut with a handsaw. I don't own any power equipment.

With a new #11 blade in my X-Acto knife, rough forming was done making small chip cuts.

Block sanding with 220 grit cleaned up the sides.

Note the edge is wider than the decal print. The clear vacu-form canopy should probably be just outside the decal edges underneath.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 22, Canopy Size? Oooops!

I redrew the decals using the online PDF for reference.

Patreon members - 

Don't request these yet. I may have some resizing and tweaking to do. 

I thought it was funny that the back of the cockpit decal had a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

I assumed Estes used the old Centuri Fighter Jets clear canopy. Those kits were ST-10 or about 1" in diameter. The Strikefighter is a larger diameter BT-55 at 1.325" diameter.

The Strikefighter canopy is larger. I won't be able to use the small canopy I have.

Checking the forums, the Strikefighter kit used a canopy similar to the the Guillows P-51 Mustang. To see it, CLICK HERE. 

Now I've got some thinking to do. Do I order a Guillows canopy for $10.00 plus $5.00 shipping?

Morerockets.com has a Strikefighter replacement canopy for $5.99 plus $12.99!!! shipping.

Or - do I carve a larger canopy and use it in my vacu-form machine?

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 21, Details Glued In

The gun and radar pod assemblies were a tight fit in the BT-5 tube. I used a tapered dowel to roll down the inside burr that was in the way.

The tight fit made me think twice about sliding the assemblies into glue in the tube.

I slid them in, and aligned them dry.

A glue fillet was applied around the rear centering ring using a dowel. 

Inset the glued dowel in the back and roll the end around the ring tube joint.

Here's where we are - the canopy and decals are next!