Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 7, The Scoop

Here's a good sized chunk of cardstock from another build. Save leftover kit cardstock!

It's hard to find high density cardstock that is .050" thick.

I probably should have cut the gun "rings" from this thickness stock. Maybe I'll go back and remake them.

On the left are the back and sides of the scoop.

On the right are the two remaining smaller rings.

The curved back of the scoop didn't match the curvature of the BT-55 tube.

I wrapped some 400 grit around the tube and corrected the arc.

On the right is the better fit.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 6, Balsa Wings

Old School - Tracing a paper template and cutting balsa fins one at a time.

There will be some differences between like fins.

Stack, hold tightly and sand the sides even using a block.

The sharp front tips of the stabilizers should be lined up and cut off square.

I don't know why,

the instructions have you glue the larger wing piece to the body tube first, then glue on the extension.

That could make for alignment problems and filling the joint.

I glued up both pieces with the root edges against a straight edge.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 5, Engine Mount

The instructions have you glue the upper ring 1/16" down from the top of the tube.

I set the upper ring lower, just over the top bend of the engine hook. This reinforces the mount and could prevent tearing of the tube if the ejection charge knocks the hook down.

Here's the Kevlar line against the underside of the ring.

The Kevlar loop goes under the engine hook.

On the other side, the knot butts up against the very small punched hole in the ring.

The finished mount - 

An engine block was glued in the tube top, slid down against the top bend of the engine hook.

The Kevlar line got a 1/16" diameter heat shrink tube slid down against the top of the upper ring. The tube is 1/16" diameter before heat shrinks it tight around the line.

I used a heat gun on the low setting to shrink the tube.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 4, Engine Mount

The 20/55 rings were loose on the BT-20.

TIP: The inside diameter of the ring can be made smaller and a tighter fit by applying a thin ring of glue on the inside edge. Let dry before sliding back on the BT-20.

Use a rotary punch to make slight relief notches for the engine hook and Kevlar line.

On top is the upper ring,

The bottom pic is the lower ring.

The Kevlar line is tied tightly around the BT-20 tube using a square knot. 

Note it goes under the top of the engine hook.

After tying the knot, rotate it around the tube opposite the engine hook.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 3, Making The Cardstock Rings

Check a few size rotary punches until you get a friction fit on a 1/8" dowel.

To find the center hole position,

Position the tube over the center of the ring and very lightly press.

This will leave a small circle impression in the disk without cutting through.

On the left - The first impression is a little off center.

Try again using the first impression and making small corrections.

Six of the larger disk rings were punched.

Two smaller rings will also be made in the same way.
 

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 2, Making The Cardstock Rings

There are cardstock rings that slide over the 1/8" diameter dowel "gun and radar pod". I don't have a laser cutter, I'll have to cut them out by hand.

The template PDFs from Jim Z's printed up full size when when checked against the printed ruler.

The larger ring was printed onto 115 lb. stock, cut out and traced onto framing mat stock. The center hole wasn't cut out. 

Small thick rings are hard to cut out with a hobby knife. I used some heavy scissors. Just make them as round as you can.

Sand down the high spots using 220 grit on a block.

On the left is a rough cut with scissors.

On the right is after sanding and rounding with the sanding block.
 

Six are needed, I had to throw out one.

They're not kit perfect, but will be fine on the clone build.

Estes Strikefighter, Kit #2015, Build, Part 1, Parts

The Strikefighter was introduced and featured on the cover of the 1989 Estes Catalog.

BT-55 based, clear vacu-form canopy.

18" parachute, 14.75" tall.

To see the catalog page: CLICK HERE

To see the instructions: CLICK HERE

Most everything was pulled from spare parts. 

The vacu-form canopy is very close to the Odd'l Rockets Fighter Fleet kit, the part not shown here.

The 3D ramjet style nose cone was printed by Augendoc.

Many of the .050" thick cardstock parts will be cut from mat board scraps picked up cheap at a picture framing store. 

I'll finish up the redraw of the decals soon.