Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 31, Canopy Frame Trim

The instructions say to paint the "raised areas" of the canopy white. My home made canopy doesn't have a metal frame. I still wanted some white trim.

Instead of trying to paint even, straight lines, I cheat.

Some clear decal paper was spray painted gloss white. You could use white decal paper without the paint but the white won't be as opaque.

Some thin strips were cut.

The verticals were transferred first. 

It's a bit tricky. Make them long enough so the ends will be covered by the next piece.

The second strip goes over the top, covering the first two top ends.

I probably won't add trim to the curves sides. It would be difficult to get the decal strip to curve around the base.

A perfect clone? Nope! Clones ends up close.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 30, Canopy Front Decal

Rotate the nose cone to line up the ramjet decal lines with the wing.

The large black decal butts up against the front of the canopy. Note it overlaps the break between the nose cone shoulder and body tube.

I normally would wait for the decal to dry before cutting the joint, but I couldn't get the decal to lay flat. I was concerned it as it dried it might be lifted at the joint.

The decal was cut using a razor blade. It did lay down now. I let it dry before proceeding.

A bit of a white line showed under the cut.

A Sharpie carefully lined the shoulder and body tube edge.

The picture on the right shows no break in the black.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 29, Attaching The Canopy

The CA glue I use is the "Original" Super Glue. Two little bottles for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree store.

I use a toothpick to apply the glue around the canopy edge.

Set the canopy onto the body, centered over the decal. Tape the canopy down, tight onto the body tube. 

Dip the toothpick tip into a drop of CA glue. Let this first dip of glue dry.

Re-dip the (now sealed) toothpick in the CA drop again.

Set the wet glue toothpick into the canopy/body tube joint and drag the glue drop along the edge. Repeat until the front and rear of the canopy is glued in place.

Remove the tape and glue the sides where the tape blocked the edge.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 28, Fin Tip Decals

These fin decals are tricky! Be sure to rub and leave some water down the leading edge and sides of the fin before transferring the decal.

Set the thick black center band down the leading edge of the fin. Hold it up to the light and you can better space the center. 

Be sure the decal corner is at the corner of the fin.

When the center is positioned, roll down the sides.

Cut the top corner close to the black ink. I cut right at the black ink and it didn't run or bleed when soaked.

This is about as good as I could get the two decals to match up!

I counted 31 decals on the sheet!

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 27, Decals

There are 30 decals to place!

The front of the canopy decal is set back 1 3/8" from the front of the tube. The instructions say to scrape away paint around the decal for better adhesion of the canopy. You don't have to scrape the paint, I'll show another method coming up.

The center of the ramjet nose cone decal is cut out, close to the black ink. 

The outside of the ring is actually cut closer than shown in the picture.

Set the "NO STEP" wrap decal around the BT-50 tube dry first to get an idea of the spacing. The ends don't touch the root edge.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 26, Decal Fixes

Applying and aligning the wing leading edge decals is tricky!

Trim the clear edge tight at the upper corner.

Set the wide black centerline evenly over the leading edge, then fold down the sides. 

The outside edge (top) decal fits a little over the black outline of the leading edge decal already in place. I didn't get a perfect match at the corner.

Home drawn decals always seem to need some tweaks.

That's why I said to wait before requesting the decal PDF. 

I widened the wide end of the upper decal so the corners would match up (I hope!)

The "DANGER - KEEP OFF" grate decal needed a gray fill.

Another decal printing!

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 25, Canopy Fitting

I was lucky, I got a good canopy on the first try.

Clear, sharp with no bubbles.

The excess was trimmed off and the canopy sanded with 220 grit wrapped around a body tube. First around a BT-50, then around a BT-55.

Initial forming over a smaller tube cuts a sharper arc. Ideally you want to sand in a straight line, up and down. There can be some wiggle. You can get a better fit starting with a smaller diameter tube.

The front and back will sand easily and fit before the sides. Keep sanding until the sides contact the tube. 

Watch for the roll-around "stringers". These can be removed with light passes of 400 grit. Sand only the sides, don't scratch the clear surfaces.

Here's a near fit of the canopy. Note the sides haven't touched the tube yet. That means more sanding.