The body tube, dowels and launch lugs were CWF filled and sanded.
A dowel was slipped in for support while sanding.
A shot of filler/primer followed .
Here I'm sanding the filler/primer to surface with an old piece of 400 grit. Any filler/primer that might collect on the sandpaper can be cleaned off under running water with a soft brass wire brush.
This is where the perpendicular fins will be glued on.
I found it easier to mark a 1" span on a scrap piece of cardboard, then set the fins on the pencil lines.
Here's the first try at the 1" long dowels.
Looking at the instruction drawings, I could tell they were too short. There are no launch lug or dowel lengths listed in the instruction parts list.
Here's the longer 1 1/4" dowels.
I now have the feeling the dowels should be a smaller diameter. Oh well, I'm going with what I've cut.
(Edit: The dowel diameter I used was 3/32" diameter)
From the instruction illustrations, catalog image and the illustrations on the cardface back (using what I find on the JimZ site), I would interpret the dowel diameter to be close to the thickness of the fins (1/16" if I'm not mistaken). 1/8 diameter would be too close in size as the launch lugs (which appear to be used as "engine tubes" in the Star Seeker model).
ReplyDeleteGoing by the side view illustration on the facecard back, the launch lug and dowels appear to be nearly the same length. The side view illustration also provides a clue to the lengths of these pieces -- the illustration would suggest that the rocket should be able to stand upright, with the back end of the overhanging launch lugs lining up with the position of the outer fintip (i.e. you should be able to determine the lengths of the launch lugs and dowel pieces by using one of the fins).
Hi Naoto,
DeleteYep, I should've went with the 1/16" diameter dowels. The dowels and launch lugs are the same length. No big deal, close for a clone.
Depending on the purpose of the build, there could be some "wiggle room" to allow for variation. If it's a build for competition, or for a client -- then you'd need to stick to whatever had been specified in the requirements. Otherwise for personal build, it's a matter of preference.
DeleteAs for my own preferences for this particular model -- the launch lug pieces for the decorative "engine tubes" are sized such that the model can stand upright on its tail (as what appears to be implied in the side view drawing).
DeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteThe model does stand up on its own, mine has just the slightest lean to the launch lug side. If I was paying closer attention I could have glued the engine tube lugs a bit forward to stand perfectly vertical.