Saturday, May 6, 2023

MPC Lambda Payloader Build, Part 3, Cutting OutThe Fins


Oh the horror -
No die-cut or laser cut fins!
At the time, Estes would have you cut out a cardstock template, pencil trace and cut out the fins.

These fin cut lines were silk-screened on the 3/32" thick balsa. Centuri kits also had printed balsa. 


Notice how the fins were printed on the sheet.
Six of the cut lines line up!

Fewer cuts and straighter fins -


All four fins cut out.

There is still some cut line ink around the edges.
TIP: This should be sanded off or the ink could bleed through your finsl paint!




These four fins did need to be stacked and gang sanded.
Standard practice in the 1960s!

1 comment:

  1. Since my unofficial rocketry model motto is "flying like it's 1975," I'm happy to see older parts and techniques like the screen-printed fin templates or the Shock Lock.
    From the archive http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2011/06/harry-stine-shock-lock-patent.html
    http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-shock-cord-mount-ideas-part-1.html

    ReplyDelete