Estes Maxi-Brute Honest John (Kit #1269), Part 7, Nose Cone Cut & Trim

The lower end of the nose cone and the tail cone are molded in one piece.

Cut them in two around the deep indent line with a razor saw.

You are left with a rough ridge on both parts.

I sanded down the lip using 220 grit on a sanding block. Follow with 400 grit to smooth it out.

The low section of the nose cone won't fit into the upper section without trimming the inside molding lip down. 

The instructions recommend sandpaper, but I chose to do some careful shaving with a new #11 blade.

Almost all the molding lip is trimmed and sanded.

Slide on the upper nose cone section and check the outside seam for any raised areas. A raised spot might require some more trimming of the inside lip.