Estes Mini Scale Combo Pak, #0874, Tomahawk & Exocet, Build, Part 4, Finding Parts

One of the lugs was missing from the opened kit. 

On the left is the original, yellowed with age lug. The longer lug is for the Tomahawk.

On the right is the same length lug, cut in half for the Exocet.

One screw eye and on nose weight washer were in the bag.

I went to my hardware bins to find the smallest screw eye and washer. I always save leftover screws, bolts and washers from previous projects.

The two washers are for the Exocet.

Here's the different length lugs after filling and sanding the CWF.

The older, longer lug had tighter seams than the new lug on the right.

Estes Mini Scale Combo Pak, #0874, Tomahawk & Exocet, Build, Part 3, Fin Prep

All the outside edges (not the root edge) get a narrow bead of glue.

Smooth and even the bead with the side of a finger.

After the glue dries, the fin edges are sealed.

Sand the dried glue with some 400 grit.

The root edges are set against each other to keep them clear of the filler/primer.

The fins get a good shot of filler/primer.

Estes Mini Scale Combo Pak, #0874, Tomahawk & Exocet, Build, Part 2, Fin Prep

The die-cut hold down "tics" have to be cut through and extended to finish off the tip of the leading edges.

 

Start the blade cuts below the gap and continue straight up through the open tip.

Stacking the fins shows how much the die-cut blades were off.

Sand and even up the sides. Hold the four fins tightly, the cardstock is slippery!

The top of the die-cut is slightly rounded. 

On the left - The back side shows raised pressure crushing. 

On the right - The fin back side was sanded flat with 320 grit on a block. 

To smooth the rough edges, the fins will require some filler/primer sprays and sanding.

Estes Mini Scale Combo Pak, #0874, Tomahawk & Exocet, Build, Part 1, Parts

I always found this combo "Pak" kit interesting.

The eight finned Exocet and I.Q.S.Y. Tomahawk.

Produced from 1986 - 1989.

BT-5 based mini engine kits.

No parachutes or streamers, just break-apart recovery.

An interesting single slit shock cord anchor.

From the Estes catalog:

“Two scale rockets in one package feature balsa nose cones, scale decals, die-cut fiber fins and break-apart recovery.”

Flights to 800 feet.

The BT-5 body tubes are 5" and 3" long, joined by a coupler. I don't know why there are joined tubes, a single 8" long tube would have easily fit into the kit bag.

The kit fins are die cut thick cardstock.

The rubber shock cords are 6  1/2" and 7 1/2", too short for me.

NO parachutes or streamers - I'll add longer shock cords and streamers. 

This was an open bag kit, given to me by Roger at Jonrocket.com.

There were some missing parts: 

Two washers are needed for the Exocet nose weight, only one was in the bag.

Only one launch lug was found, a second one will come from my spare parts stash.

Only one small screw eye, I know I have a second one upstairs.

Sorry, no posts for a few days -

 I've got more Odd'l Rockets kit orders than I can handle right now -

Estes Aries SST, #1927, Build, Finished

This is one of those kits that comes alive when the decals are applied. A winning visual combination - Big graphics in three colors.

The top of the wings - 

The bottom of the wings with the landing gear doors.

The top and bottom views of the nose - 

I don't know what these red rectangles are but they fill some space! Many kits don't supply many decals on the underside.

Estes Aries SST, #1927, Build, Part 18, Decals

The upper wing decals - 

Set the black rectangles down first.

The red/black stripes should fit close but not over the leading and trailing edges of the wing. The rear of the decal almost matches the curve of the trailing edge.

Notice how the long window decal is cut out at the front end to clear the canards (finlets).

Before you set the decal down - 

Be sure the canards are in line with the wing. VERY IMPORTANT!

The nose cone is slid all the way in, against the end of the body tube.

Set the decal down, it will overlap the nose cone / body tube end.

After the decal dries, cut at the body tube / nose cone joint.

Here's the underside of the body and nose cone.