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Friday, January 16, 2026

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 11, Fitting The Fairings

Steam forming the fairing seems to make them stiffer and stronger.

This is a dry fit of the fairing and clear fin. I wanted to be sure the root edge and fairing angle were close.

While holding the fairings in place, trace around the fairing edge with pencil.





Scrape off the filler/primer for the glue tab inside the fairing.








After steaming the fairings round, the glue tabs needed to be re-folded with a sharp line. I used a smaller, pointed dowel.

It's difficult to glue these fairings in place. Preparation helps!

2 comments:

  1. I'm gonna try the steam idea on my next Atlas build. Seems it will help the fairing stay in shape.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Bill,
      Take it slow and don't let the cardstock get too wet. Do a few practice fairings. When formed and dry they are almost like a thin plastic.

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