Votes in the "Pick My Next Build" were tied!
I drew a name out of a hat. The winner was the LTV Scout.
Here's the parts -
The 1st stage tube (far right) is an Estes BT0-60.
The three tubes to the left are SBT-127CG, above that a SBT-123BR and finally a SBT-129BJ. Those three tubes are not standard diameters.
The long engine mount tube is a BT-20D.
The small red tube of contact cement shouldn't bein the picture. It must have slipped in from the Enterprise kit.
The shock cord will be replaced. The parachute is 18" diameter.
The white adapters and nose cone are blow molded.
I hope the decal sheet is okay for transfer - it looks to be in good shape.
The fins and lower ring are injection molded plastic.
Instructions.
Marking guides and tri-fold mount are printed on the back of the face card.
This is the part that has me concerned -
The conduits are cut from some sort of wood I can't identify. They are rough, meant to be separated with a knife and ruler.
These will take quite a bit of work to clean up and form.
The conduit wood reminds me of the first Redstone/ Mercury kit. You had to cut the legs for the escape tower off a piece of wood, which was presses to look like small round dowels. Just like the photo here.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill,
DeleteThe Mercury Redstone tower dowel wood looked like it was steamed and pressed. The LTV Scout conduit wood looks like it was machine cut. Very rough on both sides.
Ugh! I remember those conduits! I switched to cutting and sanding strips of balsa instead.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember cutting some balsa to sand and shape for this kit back in the day. I never understood the thought processes of whoever decided on that wood piece. Always seemed weird.
DeleteEven though I voted for Enterprise (maybe next build?) I’ll be following this with interest. I built one of these when it first came out. I still have it and even flew it a couple of times. It’s sitting on the shelf behind me. It’s an impressive model! I’d forgotten about how those conduits were handled. I do remember the fins and decals being kind of a pain.
ReplyDeleteI have two LTV’s from way back. One is retired, the other is restored and flies great! I would recommend extending the engine tube past the blow mold adapter below the “Italia” decals. The ejection charge blew apart the adapter on both models. Especially if you sand down the seams, they get very thin. I also use two parachutes for recovery. It’s a beautiful model. Good luck! Ken Caldwell
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI'll see about extending the motor mount tube. The motor mount is complete, but not glued in yet.
Like the other commenters, I built one of these when they first came out. I don't recall any problems with the conduits so much as the spiral decal stripe. I don't remember what happened to it, but I don't think it flew very well.
ReplyDelete