Estes Space Shuttle Columbia Build #1385, Part 6, Assemblies

The fit of the triangular wedge in the rudder wasn't great. On the right you can see some of the distortion at the top and bottom.

This took some additional trimming for a slip fit.

Notice the balsa extending outside of the bottom of the cardstock wedge. After the cardstock rudder triangle was glued in place, the overhang was sanded even with the flat backside.

The split rudder was used as an air brake on recovery of the Shuttle. This model version uses the "open" air brake to deflect airflow and keep the boost vertical.

A quick search of the real Shuttle rudder:

"The split-rudder on the orbiter works as a rudder and also as a speed brake (found on most airplanes as a spoiler located on the wing). It does this by splitting in half vertically and opening like a book. This deflects the airflow, increases drag and decreases the orbiter's speed as it rolls along the runway upon landing."

• 
  

The original kit tape disks had lost all their stick. I substituted new Avery reinforcement disks.

The 18" parachute print was obviously an enlargement of a 12" chute. The blow-up works except where the tape disks are supposed to go. The location position circle is a bit large.                                                                                                                           

The body tube seams got a fill with CWF. Notice the exposed motor mount tube has some seam fill.

The CWF was knocked out of some small areas and required a second application and sanding.

The plastic nose cone mold lines were filled with a bead of medium CA and sanding to surface.

Be careful - the CA glue will run! It takes a while to dry so set the nose cone up so the clear glue can't form a drip.