NARCON LPR Construction Video

From last March, my NARCON session on LPR Construction and Tips is on the  www.narcon.org website. CLICK HERE
Other sessions are being added.

Many of the techniques from the blog are on the video.
It's always weird to hear yourself talk.
Note to self: Don't slump.

Carded Downscale Black Brant VB - Part 4, Body Tube Trim

The edges of the Estes plastic nose cone are too square and could turn the interior body tube edges in.
A simple rounding of the base edges gave an better slip fit.

The BT-5 tube was longer than the wraps.
Both ends of the tube were trimmed down, just above the printed wrap ends. The nose cone was slipped into the tubes for support when cutting.
The remaining white tube was sanded down to the wrap ends.

I know, stick to the subject -   
With the nose cone inserted in the bottom, the tube makes a good single note Pan Flute.
The 7" BT-5 tube plays clear, close to an F#.

Try this next time you have to entertain the grand kids. They'll think you're a genius.

Plywood, Chicken Wire and Fiberglass Mercury Capsule

I went with my daughter Whitney and her boyfriend Paul to the Orlando History Center Museum on Sunday August 17. My daughter is a big fan of "Gone With The Wind". They had the touring display of movie props.

On the first floor was a small NASA space program display.
Along with plastic models of manned space vehicles there is a Mercury capsule. I had to get inside of it. The plaque states:
"This is a recreation of the actual Mercury capsule. It is constructed of plywood, chicken wire and fiberglass and is approximately 98% scale of the actual Freedom 7."

Only 98% scale? I thought the fit was a little tight.
Inside the capsule is a small TV screen where you can actually play Space Invaders.
Just like the real thing!

Carded Downscale Black Brant VB - Part 3, Launch Lug Wrap

Cut out the lug wrap and do a pre-curl in the heel of your hand.
Use a small dowel or the shaft of a Q-tip.

Apply a coat of glue stick to the inside surface.

The lug is small and you can start the wrap from the center working out.

I set the lug in the middle of the wrap an rolled the sides to the top.
This lug is purposely longer than the wrap and will be sanded to the to and bottom of the wrap.

By the time I got to the other side the glue had started to set up. Another rub of glue stick and the wrap was finished.

The top and botttom of the lug were sanded to the length of the wrap with 400 grit on a block.
On the left you can see some of the lug edge rolling into the middle.
Pick out and raise the edge over the top of the lug. Raise about 1/3 of the turned under edge and sand off.
Turn the lug 1/3 turn and raised the next third inside edge. Sand that off.
Work your way around the inside of the lug until all the edges are removed.

Compare the lower picture with the upper lug and you can see the rolled over edge is gone.
A turned under lug edge might get caught on a launch rod or slow down the boost speed. It should be cleaned off.

The inset picture shows the wrap seam. Like the body tube wrap the edges are almost invisible.
This lug wrap seam will be turned into the fin fillet area.

New Sandpaper Brush - Budget Tip

I bought a new sandpaper brush today.
I use the brush to knock off accumulated primer sanding dust from 400 grit sandpaper.
400 grit loads up quickly, especially when you are dry sanding the first primer coat.
You can remove the dust "mud" by brushing the sandpaper under running water. You shouldn't have to brush very hard to take off most of the loaded up primer.

This brass brush is like the old suede brushes. Over time the rough sandpaper will wear down the bristles. My previous brush lasted five years.
This new brush is the WorkForce #330761, $3.19 at Home Depot.
The amount of money I save by re-using sandpaper will pay for the brush many times over.

EBAY Rocket Listings

The Estes Reflector is up for bidding on EBAY - CLICK HERE

The same model built was here on the blog.

Also for sale is the 1976 ESTES NARAM Contestants Package.
Check out the listing - CLICK HERE
This is the vinyl case that holds all the literature.

Included are an Emergency Repair Kit (complete with dried out glue packet but minus the igniters)
MINT 1976 Catalog
Unopened Altitude Computer
Four sets of two fabric stickers
Model Rocket Data Sheet

There are many more pieces than are shown here,
Most everything is MINT, there are some folded corners.
Technical Notes 1 - 5, blank order forms and more!

Stop by and make a bid!

Carded Downscale Black Brant VB Part 2, Body Tube Wrapping

The body wrap print was cut out using a straight edge and sharp knife.

I use mechanical pencils now for a sharper line down the body tubes.

Old school style, the tube was set in a door frame and the line drawn the length of the tube.

The edge of the wrap will fall right down the vertical pencil line.

I usually lay a clean piece of paper down when applying the glue stick to the back of the wrap. You won't want to pick up any dirt or crud on the glue stick.
Apply a fair, smooth amount but not enough to glob up. The glue coat should be smooth. (If your applied glue makes "strings" or globs, throw it away and try another brand.)
Put a little more glue on the seam edges. You will want the seam to close.
Try not to get glue on the printed underside of the wrap.
If there is glue on your fingers, wipe it off before wrapping the skin.

Set the edge of the print down the pencil line and roll the skin on. Smooth it out with your fingers and remove any wrinkles or bubbles.
Burnish over the seam with the back end of a Sharpie pen.
Be careful to stay away from the printed ink on the Sharpie barrel. The black lettering can transfer onto your model.

The inset picture shows the seam. If burnished correctly it's almost invisible.