LAUNCH! (Finally) R.O.A.R., Christmas, FL, September 26, 2026

Orlando R.O.C.K. lost it's field months ago.

Christmas Florida R.O.A.R. doesn't do launches in the hot Summer.

Today is the day! I can finally launch the models I've been building lately.

For fun, I started the day with a MicroMaxx, the downscale Estes FAT BOY.

Performance was better than expected, altitude was probably 80 feet.

Streamer recovery, no damage when picked up.

First flight of the downscale BT-55 based Estes OPTIMA. 

A C6-5 got it up to an estimated 650'. 

I'm terrible at adjusting launch rods with any wind. Today I lucked out.

These last two touched down within 25 feet of the launch rack.

Under a 12" chute, no damage at recovery.

My camera was focusing on the distant trees, not on the rockets. Launch pics are few.

Another first flight, the Estes TIME WARP.

I've been saving some Q2G2 igniters for cluster birds like this.

We tested a Q2G2 to make sure the R.O.A.R. controllers wouldn't fire early at continuity. It only burned when the launch button was pressed - We were good to go!

The trio of A10-3t motors were fast - reminding me of a B14. I would guess the altitude to be around 475'. 

The picture shows a drone over the descending rocket.

 

I was concerned the three second delay might be too short, it was fine. A3-4s might be a better fit for this rocket.

The engines were pulled out immediately after the flight. You can see the charring especially at the center.

There was some paint blistering on the BT-5 tube.

Only three flights today. I had my dog Dakota at the launch and she wasn't happy! It was warm and she wasn't taking any water that was offered. So, we went home early. She's a great dog, maybe not too excited about rocket launches.

Estes Cosmic Interceptor Build, Part 31, Masking The Nose Cone Tip

At this point the very tip is covered in black paint.

Another Sharpie marked Scotch tape arc was cut.

This mask is a bit tricky with the recessed lines going around the nose cone. Be sure the tape edge is sealed all the way around.

After masking, the tip was sprayed white to give the bright red a good, light background. 

The red was sprayed after the white had dried for about 10 minutes. Remember - Recoat within an hour or after 48 hours. (Using Ace Premium Enamel)

The paint was pulled and the mask was almost perfect.

A little touchup was done with a fine point Sharpie.
 

This shows why the instructions suggest painting the tube ring off the engine mount. It would be difficult to mask otherwise.

Again, the separately painted intake assembly slid into the taper cut tube. No glue yet, just slid in place as an example.

Estes Cosmic Interceptor Build , What's up?

Rain and humidity!

Big rockets are difficult to paint, especially a large model with inside areas.

The model got a "final" gloss white coat that blued and ended up with flat finish in many areas. I'll still work on what I can but the final mask, black paint and decals will have to wait a month for lower humidity.

Anybody else have problems getting a good even gloss on your rockets?

In the next few days I'm getting the parts ready for the Estes Strikefighter clone.

I'm going to a launch tomorrow! Looking forward to flying the three engine cluster Estes Timewarp. I haven't done a cluster launch in a few years.

Estes Cosmic Interceptor Build, Part 30, Masking The Nose Cone Tip

Here's the nose cone tip paint suggestion - 

Black with a red tip.

I'll paint the black all the way forward, then come back and paint the red.

I have a clear plexiglass cutting board to cut the Scotch tape.

That texture underneath is my new countertop.

It took five tries to get the right arc. I kept going smaller with each try. Wipe a paper towel over the ink to pick up the excess.  

A smooth arc is cut through the middle of the thick pen line.

The tape arc is wrapped around the tip. The tricky part is masking around the recess line.

Masking tape goes over the low end.

Paper is wrapped around the base of the nose cone.

Black is sprayed. 

The tape is pulled.

I got a decent mask but there was two small dots of lifted paint.

I'll show the fix in an upcoming post.

Estes Cosmic Interceptor Build, Part 29, I Gotta' Paint!

I'm tired of rain! I went outside to spray about 1:30 p.m. Humidity was probably a little high, there was some bluing of the glossy paint. I'll probably polish out any dull areas. 

Not the perfect scenario, but I've got to get moving on this one!

   

The side "shield" fins were painted off the model.

This is a big rocket with lots of inside areas. I felt it would be easier to mask these shields and the wings separately. 

They'll be glued on after the masks are complete.

With the nose cone in place, the model is longer than I can comfortably spray in a long, one arm sweep.

A cardstock "handle" was rolled and taped to the nose cone shoulder.

The engine mount ring got the final gloss black spray.

On the left is the first coat sanded with 400 grit.

The light sanding paid off, you can see the gloss in the right side picture.

Once in a while I run into balsa that shows grain even after filling.

The sanded paint helps fill them a bit, but this wood required more CWF. 

The final black will cover the bit of sanded beige filler. 
 

Adding A Pilot to the Odd'l Rockets F-18 Hornet kit

Frank D. added to his Odd'l Rocket F-18 build!

Inside the cockpit - 

You can see the pilot!

"A wooden bead painted yellow with a black visor."

A great addition - 

 

The full view of Franks F-18 painted Blue Angels style.

It's a tricky mask and looks great!

Waiting For Better Painting Weather -

Rain and humidity = 

No Cosmic Interceptor painting!

The Cosmic Interceptor is a big model, painting conditions have to be just right for good coverage.

Here's a look into what's coming up on the blog - 

Augendoc is 3D printing the ramjet nose cones for me.

I have vacu-form cockpits from the Odd'l jet kits.

I've already drawn up the decals.

The rest will be selected from too many accumulated spare parts.