Estes Skytracer Clone #1361 Build, Part 1, Parts

All the parts:

You can see where I've penciled in the lengths of the pieces. 

Many dimensions come from the John Brohm list: CLICK HERE

Other lengths come from searching old catalogs.

Parts "K" that make up the nozzles will be fashioned from some spare parts. Cut-up 13mm plastic nose cones, cardstock and engine blocks.

The PNC-50S nose cone will be made from a Crossfire style cone with an added cardstock canopy drawn up by Greg Poehlein: CLICK HERE

Estes Skytracer Clone #1361 Build, Background

I often browse the old catalogs at Ninfinger.org looking for the next interesting build.

This one caught my eye! Here's the page: CLICK HERE

The Skytracer was only sold in 981 through 1982. Sure, it's a bit different, 

but that's what'll make it a fun clone.

Specifications: Length: 13.0", Diameter: 0.976", Weight: 1.9 oz.

Recommended 18 mm Engines: A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, B8-5, C5-3, C6-5

The two central fin nozzles (facing the rear in the photo above) are made by combining the front and rear of the old Centuri Shuttle SST jet engines. 

Centuri also used these nozzles on their Quasar kit. To see my Quasar clone build: CLICK HERE

If memory serves, my Shuttle SST kit originally had vacu-form nozzles. Later on the nozzles were injection molded. Estes found some use for the molds in the Skytracer. I'll be assembling the nozzles with segments cut from plastic nose cones.

The build starts tomorrow . . .

My Spray "Booth"

Here's where I spray my model rockets.

It's simply a walled patio between my townhouse to the right and separate garage to the left.

The block walls are 8' high which (somewhat) provides a wind break. That cardboard on the ground protects my brick pavers from any paint drips that might form on the nozzle. 

I haven't found any overspray paint on the walls, floor or glass on the house walls.

A windbreak is important. I did notice James Duffy's spray booth on his NARCON video. He sprays his models in a horse trailer.

 Why an enclosed horse trailer? No wind!

Clearing A Spray Can Nozzle?

Jmg8torr posts construction and home tips on YouTube.

To see the video: CLICK HERE

I haven't tried this one out, but am curious.

This might help with clogged spray can nozzles. 

I would recommend spraying a few passes away from your rocket to be sure any WD-40 is blown out.

New Way Nike Ajax Build, Part 22, Finished

This is a tall one at 30.75" tall.

A good semi-scale representation.

The tunnels are hard to grain fill, the space is tight with 12 fins and four long tunnels.

I sprayed a dull coat to visually hide some fillets that were rougher than I liked.

The interstage portion with the black band decal simulating a gap between the stages.

The white decals work well if placed over a clear gloss coat. After the decals dry, follow up with a dull coat and the clear areas of the decals should dissapear.

 

The Nike style flat fins, built as shown in the instructions.

Interesting that the two piece fins are glued together at the mid point, the same centerline where a true diamond taper would start.

New Way Nike Ajax Build, Part 21, White Decals

I positioned the white decals on the lower stage tube to get an idea of the spacing.

All the white decal go on one side of the tube, centered over the fin opposite the launch lugs.

After the decals dry, the lower body got a clear dull coat.

New Way Nike Ajax Build, Part 20, More Decals

The brown squares are pre-cut in vinyl.

These are in line with the upper tunnels, one square is in line with one of the supports.

That tape line is a guide for the top of the square.

I used the tip of my knife blade to lift and position the square.

Here's the brown squares in place.

The brown is almost lost in the olive drab color, but they are there!

You shouldn't set decals down over a flat finish, the clear areas of the decal can "silver" not adhering well.

You should apply a gloss clear coat, then apply the decals. Let dry for a day then reapply a clear dull coat.

I had to re-mask the upper body. Smaller pieces of white copy paper were taped over the black interstage band. I didn't want the tape to touch and lift the black band decal. 

Flat clear acrylic was sprayed to dull the olive drab paint.