The Big Fix - Raptor Body Tube Replacement

I have three models due for a big fix.
The Quest Raptor was launched on June 1, 2013 with an Estes B6-4. Boost was great but there was no ejection charge.
The model nosed in and landed on the gravel road.
The plastic nose cone tip was dinged, no cracks. The body tube was split and crumpled 3 1/2" down from the top. The big fin unit broke off clean, right down the glue line.

Here's how the model looked after picking up the pieces.
You can see where the nose cone split the body tube, it was shoved in about 1 1/2".
The fin unit popped right off, re-gluing will hide any rough edges.
The engine mount broke free and slid forward until the nozzle was 1/2" inside the body tube.

First things first:
The crumpled body tube will have to be cut off.

For a knife guide a double wrap of 110 lb. card stock was rolled and taped around the tube. The knife edge will easily follow along the wrapped card stock edge.
On the lower left you can see the card stock wrap is taped to the tube so if won't slip when cutting.

I used a piece of the crumpled scrap tube to make a coupler.
A new piece of Quest 35mm tubing was cut to replace the old tube.




The decal will have to be removed.
TIP: If the paint is really dry, you can take off the decal using Scotch tape.

Press the tape down and lift. Some pieces of the decal should come up.
It could take a minutes and a few pieces of tape but eventually you'll remove the decal.

I didn't scan these decals, I should have!
A new name decal will have to wait until I need decals for another model. I won't print up a decal sheet unless the sheet is full.