Model Rocket Building

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

FlisKits Triple Threat Build Part 1 Parts

Thanks go out to Ross Mozier, a member and flyer in the local R.O.C.K. section. Ross gave me this kit and 12 MicroMaxx engines! I told him I'd put everything to good use.

Ross also gave out kits to kids and spectators at the recent R.O.C.K. launch.

Ross mentioned that all the parts might not be there, he'll take parts from various kits when he scratch builds. I let him know I had plenty of spare parts, I should be able to put it together.

Originally, the Triple Threat kit had three saucers in one kit bag. These are made for 13mm engines. The A10-0t is the only recommended engine.

This kit was discontinued a few years ago, maybe because Estes didn't make the A10-0t for a while. These instructions were dated 2002, it was production kit #56. The face card says" "Altitudes of only 50 - 75 feet!" Hoo-Boy!

I had the printed body pieces for two of the three saucers, the most important for the build.

I bought .025" diameter music wire for the antennas.
A length of 1 3/4" BT-5 was cut.
Two 1" launch lugs were pulled from the spare parts box.

My Build Reviews on RocketReviews.com

Before I started this blog, I also posted builds on http://www.rocketreviews.com/.
Click on the kit names to go to the build and review:

Quest DC-Y Space Clipper

Quest Area 51 SPEV Saucer
FlisKits Cutaway Rocket Motor
Semroc Hawk
Semroc Booster 16
Dr. Zooch Mercury Redstone (BT-60 Based)
Dr. Zooch Titan IIIC SLV-5
Dr. Zooch Atlas Agena
Dr. Zooch Ares 1

Anytime you open a new kit, got to http://www.rocketreviews.com/
and do a search to read a previous build and review.
Trust me, it'll save a lot of trouble when you know about any "gotchas".
Above photo of the Dr. Zooch Titan IIIC launch by Roger Smith

Monday, December 3, 2012

I'll finish them - eventually!

With my work schedule (and some painting problems) I wasn't able to finish up the AVI Nike Tomahawk.

Now the Zooch Saturn V will have to wait until I get home on December 10!
I've gone as far as I could on all the small detail pieces.

Both will be finished when I have the parts all my home tools. (You try flying with break-off blade knife hidden in your checked baggage.)

For right now, I have some builds stored in a draft form.
Tomorrow I'll start the older OOP FlisKits Triple Threat UFOs.

They were actually a fun build, downscales of the larger Flis UFOs.
The photo is copied from the Clive Davis review on www.rocketreviews.com.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Dr. Zooch Saturn V Build Step 10B Part 2 Spoofs

Roll the spoof in place making sure the top edge is even with the top of the dowel end.

The top of the spoof wrap should be even with the top of the upper shroud cone.

I had to trim off quite a bit to get the two ends even.

When the F.G.P. was totally dry, the indent dowel hole shrunk up a bit.
In the picture, the once round indent circle has a flat side against the upper shroud.

To get a slip fit, the side of the dowel had to be sanded down a bit.

Here’s the finished nozzle and heat exchanger assembly.

Dr. Zooch Saturn V Build Step 10B Part 1 Heat Exchanger Spoofs

Today we'll go back to Step 10B and finish up the nozzles:

You’ll need five 3/8" long pieces of dowel for the heat exchangers, four for the build and one extra.
The dowel is cut longer than needed and will be trimmed to size before gluing to the engine bells.
5 dowel pieces, each 3/8" long equals 1 7/8" dowel needed.
You won’t see much of the dowel end once the finished heat exchanger is glued in place.
The "spoof" patter was traced from the instructions onto 20 lb. copy paper. Five were cut out.

Just like the string hat bands on the lower shroud, glue down the tab edge and let dry before wrapping.

Be sure all the wraps face the same way.

Lay a small drop of glue on the inside of the spoof surface near the glued end. Spread that drop down the inside surface with a toothpick making a thin coat all the way to the end.