TIP: Instead of rolling the fillets over the top of the rounded fin edge - do the leading edge first. This will keep glue blobs off the top of the fins.
Apply glue around the top, smooth and remove the excess. Then apply glue fillets down the sides of the fins.
Here's the booster fin fillets.
I'll do one fillet using Titebond wood glue. After that dries a second fillet is applied using the Titebond Molding and Trim Glue. The second M&TG rounds out the joint better than a another layer of regular wood glue.
Here's the back view showing the vent holes.
Notice the vent holes are centered between the fins.
Has Estes ever done a gap-staged model before? I can't think of one but it's possible.
ReplyDeleteI'm *really* liking the look of this kit.
Hi Neil,
Deletethis might be the first one with gap staging. They've also added the "thrust cone" to direct the booster flame.
The first time I saw the vented centering rings was on the Dr. Zooch Vanguard Eagle kit. Centuri had "pass-port" which kept the stages together for a split second longer.
I hated the simple taped pop-n-go old style staging. Too many chances for failure and no second stage ignition.