This bag of parts didn't include the Estes instructions.
Easy enough to find them at JimZs: HERE
I also found a great Peter Alway drawing online.
The small end of the tail cone isn't really round.
From the Estes instructions:
Take a look at the balsa grain direction in steps 3 and 6.
Hi, Chris.
ReplyDeleteI just started a Bullpup Kit that predates the Peel & Stick Decal Era of c.1998. The Balsa Grain runs parallel to the trailing edge of the fins; I'm wondering if I should build with them? And why the heck are the fins cut like this? Just because the fins are fore of the Boat Tail doesn't mean their strength should be compromised.
I have a newer kit with laser cut fins, I'll probably build with them.
-Perturbed in Michigan.
Hi Perturbed, Who knows why the fins were cut that way. While my instructions had the grain direction shown wrong (like your fins) the kit fins had the grain running correctly down the leading edge. Maybe at the time Estes got cheap and was trying to fit more fins on a smaller sheet of balsa.
DeleteSave the wrong fins and use them for a tracing template to cut out some new fins. They are all straight cuts, shouldn't be too hard.