The two models I built were pre-production kits.
In one of the kits, the forward crescent vanes were burnt a little short. Maybe the laser cutter wasn't dialed in yet.
Some new vanes would have to be cut.
On many kits there is extra balsa on the outside edges.
I simply traced around one of the good crescent pieces and cut out some new pieces.
This is nothing new - When I started in rocketry we traced patterns and cut out fins. No die-cutting, no laser cutting.
The Vesta Intruder has twelve (count 'em twelve) vane pieces.
This will lead to some extra work as I round, fill and prime before gluing onto the body tube.
When you fill and prime vanes and fins like this before you attach to the tube, how critical is it to keep the root edge unfilled/unpainted? Also, if you're already filling and priming prior to attaching, what's the reason for not painting before attaching, too?
ReplyDeleteHi Derek,
DeleteThe root edge of the fins shouldn't have any paint on it or the glue won't soak in. I tend to sand off almost all the filler/primer, sanding until the balsa color starts to show.
If you were to spray paint a fin before before gluing onto the body tube, it might stick at first but will probably pop off the body. The glue can't soak in through a coat of paint.
So I compromise - the body tube seams and fin grain are filled with CWF and sanding. Then they coat a shot of filler/primer and sanding. That two step process should fill the grain and tube seams.
Scrape or sand any remaining filler/primer off the fin glue line. Then the fins and launch lug are glued onto the tube.
Filling the grain and tube seams before assembly gives a smoother finish at the root edge glue fillets. It's sometimes difficult to sand in tight areas if you assemble the model - then try to fill the grain and seams.