Centuri Skylab Build, #KB-4, Finished

This build was more detailed than I thought it would be.

The 3D parts are heavier than the original vacu-forms pieces. 

The Centuri catalog says the weight is 3.4 oz. This build weighs 4.1 oz.

A B6-2 and C6-3 were the recommended motors. I'll launch mine with a C5-3 Super C.

That black turbine exhaust tube reminds me of the exhaust tube on the old Estes Thor Agena B.

The solar panel fins came out very well. They aren't textured but still look okay.

The docking collars are larger and dish shaped. The catalog picture was probably a prototype. The prototype had docking collars that looked like two short lengths of launch lug.

Decals, decals and more decals.

The original kit nose cone was smooth, but I like the raised line ridges on the 3D print.

Estes Mini Bomarc Clone, Kit #TK-5, Finished

 

This build brought back some 1970s Mini-Brute memories.

Will it be stable? I'll know when I start launches again later this year. Right now - it's too hot!

The silver mask on the nacelles was only possible by painting before gluing to the main body. 

The underside is pretty plain compared to the sides.

I'll add the decal trim lines in the future.

I wondered about the Canadian color scheme on this one.

Light gray body with a brown nose cone?

Estes AMRAAM AIM-120 Downscale, Build, Part 14, Finished

There are PLENTY of small decals on the model.

It's confusing trying to apply them using the Estes instructions. I did my best, some placements are a good guess. 

Online pictures of the real missile don't show the AMRAAM name. It might be Estes took some liberties like they did with the old Honest John kit. The name Honest John never appeared on the actual missile.

Here's the upper end. 

I hope it's stable! There's 1/2 oz. of nose weight in the nose cone.

And the Back end - 

No tail cone, it's a semi-scale build at best.

BMS School Rocket, Build, Finished

A sharp, well designed rocket for school programs looking for something other than a snap together build. Thru-the-wall fins, Kevlar shock cord and a Mylar streamer.

The instructions only suggest an A8-3 motor, but it would certainly be stable with a B6 or C6 engine. 

You might not get it back with the C6-5 motor.

Taller than an Estes Alpha, with the extra length it should be easier to pack the wadding and streamer.

Quest Intruder Kit Bash, Part 15, Finished Masks & Decals

While I liked the design of the Quest Intruder, it didn't have the flash of the overly decaled Estes Interceptor.

Bigger graphics work and can help a plain design.

The underside, 

I know, I stole the wing and rudder decals from the Estes Interceptor. The original Quest kit stickers were ruined and I didn't want this kit to sit in the bag. A kit bash would make a more interesting build.

The rounded, square windows.

My favorite decal, the Orbital Transport style canopy windows. I didn't like the Nike "swoosh" canopy in the Quest kit.

New Way Letter - Go Build, Finished

 

I can see this model as the perfect, personalized gift for a model rocket enthusiast.

At 22 1/4" tall and BT-60 based, it's tall and burly. A little like a Big Bertha with a twist.

A great model for small fields with a B6-4.

I cut the parachute to 12" diameter, I probably should have gone with a 15 or 18 inch.

Estes Advanced Target Drone, Kit #1913, Build, Finished

A clean design with high contrast decals.

The intakes are a highlight.

Wing fins are wide.

The rudder and strake fin on the other side are asymmetrical.

The nose cone is simply red, clean with no canopy.

Out of the ordinary from other standard 4F/NC rockets.

 

Estes Star Seeker BT-50 Upscale (Tri-Pack) Kit #0866, Finished

Here's the shot you were waiting for -

The BT-5 original and the BT-50 upscale.

It's a lot easier working on the larger model. The graphics on this design really pop.

The top end - 

There is still a bit of a yellow tinge showing through the white paint.

Estes Star Seeker (Tri-Pack) Kit #0866, Finished

Big graphic decals on a very small model!

Notice how close the door is to the base of the nose cone.

Not much to see on the underside.

For such a small rocket, it's an interesting design.

It begs for an upscale. That is coming . . .

Estes Black Star Voyager Build, Finished

The upper section with nine basswood strips.

The smaller vanes - 

The large vanes below that.

I took this picture outside to try and show the reflection of the metallic paint. Like I mentioned earlier, probably not worth the extra effort.

Nine more vanes around the engine mount tube.

This is an impressive model and a challenging build.

I've never encountered built up fins like this.

 

A great design from Jon Boren.

 

Estes (Semroc) Constellation Finished

A real classic, now available from Estes as the K35 Astron Constellation.

I finally got the landing pods right this time!
I was never happy with my first attempts carving them out of balsa layers.
The white edged "1" decal looks good against the single black fin. It was worth the extra effort.

The nose cone shoulder is well hidden behind the black bands.

There are a few decals left over, some black rounded rectangles. I'll save them for another build. This model shared many of the same decals as the two-stage Shrike kit, CLICK HERE

Enerjet by Aerotech Strong Arm Build, Finished

All three Strong Arm builds posed in my patio.

Two are show builds with filled seams and more time spent on fillets.

On the right is a flight build, not as much build time involved. Body tube seams are visible and not as smooth a finish. 10 foot rule on this one.

I rarely use Rustoleum, but that was the best paint match for the tall gray stickers on the upper body.

Some graphics are large and look great overall.

Plenty of small labels too.

The low end fins. 

The fin locks feel very sturdy.

So far, this is a favorite of the mid-power builds I'm doing for Aerotech.

Enerjet by Aerotech, Arreauxbee-Hi, Finished

Here's the finished model.

The 30" rip-stop nylon parachute is attached to the long 1/4" wide elastic shock cord, 12" down from the upper body section.

The aluminum motor retainer is adhered to the end of the motor tube using 15 minute epoxy.

The low end with the six AT-022 fin stickers.

The fun part was getting all the pieced runway/tunnel pieces to line up.

The upper body payload section with the Aerotech General and Arreauxbee-Hi decals. Pieces of masking tape were set down as outside edge guides before centering and placing the two stickers.

The long nose cone and upper body painted silver.