Plastic Model Conversion (PMC) Gallery

[Micromeister]

As one of the finer diversions from standard Model rocketry. PMC competition events and PMC just for fun Flying has been an ongoing collecting obsession of mine for about 4 decades.

My hope is this gallery will attract many Different types of PMC builders & build photos. Not only those strictly conforming to the pink book rules.

For instance I'm still looking desperately for just about any scale Ford or Dodge Van model so I can convert it into a flying DHL van sort of "as seen on TV" a couple years ago.....Backdoors flappin as the motor burns as it bobbs and weeves slightly on the way up to ejection:)

We'll be Happy and Tickled pink to see each and EVERY contest and sport flying PMC that you great folks have or will come up with.
One of the questions that came up recently; Does the model being converted "Have to be available on the shelves" to be considers legal for contest PMC conversion.
The Answer is NO. As long as the model or whatever was "Commerically produced" as a Static Plastic model it doesn't matter when, where or how long ago it was manufactured as LONG as it can be documented or proven to have been produced as some sort of kit. There are some specifics for Contest flying but we won't worry to much about those limitations here for Sport flying as in the DHL Van, or flying submarine, Army Tanks and on and on.

Back in the day I believe my very first PMC was an F100 Super Saber. to this day the F100 is a staple "windy day" qualifier type PMC. My second and unfortunately the first PMC I got a chance to take pictures of was a 1/48th Revell LEM using a plan published in the OLD MODEL ROCKETEER mag. I believe sometime in 1970. That very unsuccessful PMC attempt was built along side another, a bit more "standardized" conversion of an Old USSR Vostok launch vehicle that I flew for a number of years.... I NEVER however completely gave up on getting a LEM to fly:)
A year or so later another plan in Model Rocketeer mag..had me out scrounging the hobby shops for 2001 Pan Am Space Clipper Orion. I had to make it work and it sure did!
That got me into Revell 1/48th X-15's flying on the then pretty NEW D13-3, 5 & 7 motors.
These 5 models and fewer pictures should I hope, get the ball rolling.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the nifty and odd Plastic Model Conversions flying out there:)

[dlazarus6660]

John,

I just found a paper 2001 Pan Am Space Clipper Orion paper model.
I was wondering if it would fly without a vertical fin like an airplane has?(fin/rudder)
Apparently it does.
Cool. Now I will try that for a build.

BTW, I have a scale Dodge Van piggy bank I might consider having you launch if you have the motors for it!
It is made from white metal, so it is heavy!

[Micromeister]

John,

I just found a paper 2001 Pan Am Space Clipper Orion paper model.
I was wondering if it would fly without a vertical fin like an airplane has?(fin/rudder)
Apparently it does.
Cool. Now I will try that for a build.

BTW, I have a scale Dodge Van piggy bank I might consider having you launch if you have the motors for it!
It is made from white metal, so it is heavy!

Actually if you look closely at the photos you'll see the Orion does have vertical,horizontal & dorsal fins. they are all clear .063" Polycarbonate (Lexan).
If you look up the January 1971 Model Rocketeer Mag there is an article about converting the old Revell 1/144th Orion plastic kit including full size fin patterns. later in 1983 USAirFix released a 1/144th Orion then In 2003 Airfix re-released another Orion 2001 spacedcraft 1/144th kit either of which can be used with the same MR patterns. These clear fins are Epoxy rivet attached with minimal clear 30minute epoxy fillets. Trust me when a confirm this attachment method keeps these fins in place well. Over time the epoxy has yellowed a bit but is still holding as well as the day it was applied.
In both cases the model uses an offset 18mm motor that requires a bit of careful alignment and tube cutting but other then that is a pretty straight forward conversion. If your Cardstock model is about the same scale I'd bet it should convert will as also. Just be sure to get the centerline of thurst aligned well other wise the bird does not so lazy circles in the sky:)

Below are pic's of those Airfix box art and my current fleet Orion Pan Am Space clipper conversion that used the same fin and conversion patterns from the Old Model Rocketeer mag article.

PS: NO flying Metal thanks...gotta be Plastic...I may have to find a small metal Ford or Dodge Van to make a casting mold from...might be an option;)

[Micromeister]

OK!
I'll make another stab at it....

Another of those Windy, Nasty weather day "Qualifier" contest or just for fun PMC's is the 1/48th F-104 Starfighter. Brand of model isn't really that important as long as it's pretty resonably priced.
To set up a Bad conditions (B-model) I like to keep it as simple as possible. Wheels UP, limited or no weapons. with the starfighter just adding the Wing tip tanks and doing a bit of visible cockpit detailing, perhaps changing some of the panel lines and perhaps adding or opening some of the control surfaces make this kind of model convenient when the weather just won't seem to cooperate.
It's always a challange to make the decision before model turn-in time which model to go with...All up super detailed, wheels down, fully loaded A-model or conservative bad weather B-model. but it is always nice to have the choice;)

Over time this simple F-104 1/48th Drone Squadron model served my very well as a B-model for competition or just a great fun flying PMC. I believe it has about 30 or more fights before I crashed it due to a bad motor. Since then it's been replaced by a smaller scale 1/144th Wheels down MicroMaxx powered version that was a good bit harder to build but works just as well as a B-model contest back up.

[Micromeister]

Not All PMC's have to be build or flown just at contests. Many can and should be flown for the sheer fun of it also:)

At a meeting some years back while discussing weight to thurst ratios with another flyer he made a statement that I just couldn't leave alone.
"Well ya can't make a Tank fly...." or something to that effect was the comment.
Now I do not have access to the full size thing but I sure could adapt a model or two. Just to get my feet wet the first attempt was with a 1/72 M48-A5 Vampire Battle Tank. After some rough calculations and a couple drawings I came up with these configuration... but as most Tanks Travel with the turret and gun trailing I designed and balanced this model to do the same. Displays with turret and gun forward as shown, flying with turret and gun stowed as in the fight pics. 8" mylar chute stows in the tank body about where the driver would set. 1/48 models give a lot more room and motor options:)
See no reason PMC can't be all kinds of FUN flying.

[rstaff3]

My meager PMC fleet: a 29mm Starfighter, two shots of my Pogo, and one of my micromaxx X-15. The Pogo flies on one 18mm and two non-scale 13mm outboards. I added the latter when the weight exceeded the capability of a C6. This was before I bit the bullet and got an 18mm RMS case.

[Micromeister]

Very Nice stuff Dick!
I'm a big fan of the POGO & X15's regardless of scale! They are all super fun building and flying PMCs.

[Micromeister]

my Second attempt at an X-15 PMC for my current fleet was on OOP 1/72nd kit #5908 of the A2 varient with external extended fuel tanks and drop wheel dolly.
Because of Tight space 13mm motor tube was the best I could do without butchering the rear of the model completely. This limited motor selection to A10's as it is kind of heavy with an Ewt of 63.8grams.
flys OK but recovery for some reason has always been iffy. either stripping the light 10" mylar chute or coming in with the dreaded Plastic Wad chute not fully deploying.

[rstaff3]

Very Nice stuff Dick!
I'm a big fan of the POGO & X15's regardless of scale! They are all super fun building and flying PMCs.

Thanks Micro! You were the prime motivator form my X-15 and Pogo conversions, have posted your versions.

[Micromeister]

Thanks Micro! You were the prime motivator form my X-15 and Pogo conversions, have posted your versions.

Not yet, Mine is a bit further down the building list....I'll get to them a bit later.

Next on my List is an actual Rocket PMC. the Revell 1/54th V2 (A4) with launcher & mobile carrier.
This is a very easy conversion I chose to use a BT-20 inner body with a rear ejection 13mm (A10-3T) motor pod and 12" chute.
This scheme eliminates the unsightly seperation seam usually necessary with nose ejection method making for a bit different look for the judges. Still fly very well 70-80feet on an A10 motor recovering well without damage. This kind of model still doesn't really get high static point judging because of the conversion simplicity. Pretty nice model for sport flying though.

[dlazarus6660]

Here is my F-16 PMC. I have not flown it yet. I did this about a year ago.
B and C motors fly it.

[Micromeister]

Here is my F-16 PMC. I have noy flown it yet. I did this about a year ago.
B and C motors fly it.

Very nice; Can you give us a little run down on the inner workings of this model? Did you have any trouble getting a body tube in or was there any offsetting done? Where did you break the model for recovery? What size chute?

[dlazarus6660]

Very nice; Can you give us a little run down on the inner workings of this model? Did you have any trouble getting a body tube in or was there any offsetting done? Where did you break the model for recovery? What size chute?

I did only a little bit of surgery on the inside. A BT-20 goes up from the tailcone to the nose cone, PNC-20. Also a BT-50 keeps it centered.
If you look at the head on pic, you can see both BT's. I made the tailcone removable, I don't know why. Also, the cockpit canopy opens. Both will be tape into place for launch. I think I have a few build pic's on my old computer.
I'm not sure how much nose weight it will need but I'll try two batts of Estes clay for starters when I fly her.
I have three other kits I plan to convert and I will do a detailed build at that time.
The chute will be about 8" to 12" depending on the wind.

[JAL3]

My meager PMC fleet: a 29mm Starfighter, two shots of my Pogo, and one of my micromaxx X-15. The Pogo flies on one 18mm and two non-scale 13mm outboards. I added the latter when the weight exceeded the capability of a C6. This was before I bit the bullet and got an 18mm RMS case.

May I copy the X15 and Pogo?

[JAL3]

Here is my F-16 PMC. I have noy flown it yet. I did this about a year ago.
B and C motors fly it.

May I copy this to the Falcon Gallery?

[rstaff3]

May I copy the X15 and Pogo? Sure thing.

[Micromeister]

Long ago Ken Brown (owner of QCR and long time PMC Guru) taught me there are two General bad weather models you should have in your PMC stable for back-ups the first we've already discussed in the 1/48th Wheels-Up F-104 StarFighter. The next is a 1/48th Wheels Down slightly more detailed F-100 Super Saber. This is another less then Ideal weather conditions flying day entry intended to compete with a slightly more competitive field of flyers.
Because The F-100 converts fairly easily and flys well in moderately windy conditions it's the Back-up "Go To" model when there are a lot of good looking models being entered:) The trick is to find and buy a couple "inexpensive" 1/48th kits to have made as back ups.

This particular model is a Lindberg 1/48th #72521 Firepower kit that comes with a wide assortment of external weapons and stores that make for a fun build and Great looking finished model. Fly's well on C6-3 motors, and with just a little angle given to an elevator can be set up to do a nice barrel roll or two on the way up. If presented in advance of the flight to the judges this can get a couple extra flight points. It also helps offset most of the external add-on load giving a little better "straighter" flight path. Most F100's if build with good alignment will tend to weathercock and sort of fly belly to the ground so it's often better to induce a little roll.

Model 162 had a great flight life until I decided to static display her at an Outdoors Airshow "IN" it's clear plastic Protective box. DOH! Sun heat caused considerable melting damage before I noticed the problem. While most of the Seam spliting damage was corrected I'm almost afraid to fly it again because I'm not sure how much mis-alignment and wing warpage was introduced:(
Lesson learned: Outdoor displays must have models in the open air or if boxed under shade...sometimes ya gotta learn the hard way:(

[Micromeister]

This PMC is truely a labor of love. From the first time I saw pictures of this ungainly contrapsion I new I wanted to have some sort of a flying model of it.
Wasn't sure it would work as a PMC but with a little hot water work on the aft end to reshape to take a BT-20 motor tube it was accomplished.
Some work also when into getting the counter rotating props to spin freely enough to actually work on the way up:) Loading the NC with shot allowed all the required nose weight to be crammed as far foward as possible which also allowed the nose and props to be attached to a seperate chute so the body could be teathered to come down horizontally reducing the risk of landing gear damage. Flys well on a C5-3 neck jerks on an Old D21-4 LOL

I have a couple of the 1/72 XFY-1 POGO's waiting for my 13mm conversion attempt...just haven't gotten to it yet.

[Micromeister]

When I first saw this Revell kit in the Micheals I thought is was a mistake. a 1/32nd scale kit for under 20 bucks??? I snatched two up. I

I'd been thinking about trying to convert a larger scale model for a 24mm D12-3 motor. This was the perfect opportunity. at first I was hoping to get a BT-60 tube inside for some nice big Rip-stop Nylon chutes. As it turned out only at BT-55 could be stuffed the length of the model. It'll be enought...I'll make it work. The rest of the conversion was a breeze cutting the fuselage just ahead of the intake points on a recessed seam line allowed the entire forward wheel recess to be used as is. This model would fly wheels down with as many missiles and such as I could find. Did a very small amount of cockpit detailing.

Decided to go with a flat camo paint scheme as the model was molded in RED STYRENE. HO man what a headache! This stuff just wouldn't cover. finally had to strip down a few early attempts and use a sign painters Block out primer thinned just enough to get it through the airbrush. than two coats of grey primer and hand re-scored all the panel lines which had been completely filled by the blockout primer.
With the model set up as it was it really needs a 20 and 24" chute. With light weight rip-stop nylon the best I could get in the thing was 2 18" hemi's.....this was going to be close. Well it worked but was a nerve rattling flight. I was lucky it was a fairly light breeze that day. I had to get bigger chutes in.. the Only option was real Silk. I located some very fine real silk at JO-Ann Fabrics cut out gores and had the better 2/3rd sew them together with very light kevlar thread. with a little difficulty both house well in the model which I can now fly on the windiest of days without fear of too much landing damage.

[Micromeister]

This little Testors very inexpensive 1/72nd kit (if you can still find them). Worked out to be a very nifty little 14mm/13mm rear eject motor pod model that drags the little 10" chute out as the pod is ejected.
Pretty stright forward conversion with the added bonus of not having to cut the body apart to create a nosecone. Some care needs to be taken in making the music wire ejection yoke and getting the tubes to slide easily but once operation I've had no trouble at all flying this model on A10-3T getting good altitude and really neat looking tangling recoveries.

[Micromeister]

Glenco's VonBraun 3-Stage Ferry Rocket looked like a natural for PMC conversion.
Well it does have a few issues to be worked out but can make for a very nice 13mm motor flying model.
The model is tail heavy as all gee-wiz. This means scrapping alot of unnecessary wall material from the molded parts AND a good bit of nose weight. I seem to recall someone submitted an article to the old Model Rocketeer covering converting this model but alas I didn't have that issue. Glenco used an older version of the Ferry rocket then I remembered with the Crew Plane having full Delta wings. I chose to alter this to the more normal wing look.
Because of the very limited space I went with a 13mm motor mount hoping to save enough room for a decent size chute. Even with the Shorter motor mount in the BT-20 body tube it's a real squeeze to get a 12" chute in.
I used a super altered balsa transition, sculpting down to almost nothing in the forward end, Hollowed out to give me additional space for nose weight which was needed. the little plane fuselage is filled with more nose weight.
With the steep taper of the body most would use standoffs to get the launch lugs out far enough to be useful. I chose to install in internal LL with a very long tapered forward opening sculpted to the contour of the body. A super bigger pain to do but I think it makes a huge difference in the on the pad look of the model. Fly's fairly well on A10-3T motors even being the little 51.3 gram ewt. Piggy that its.
a very worth while PMC if you run across the model in the hobby shop.

[Micromeister]

Sometime around 95-96 Revell re-released another Classic missile model from my youth. H-1804-149 Nike Hercules with launcher is a Great static display model but is even more fun if you spend some time making it a Flying PMC.

At 1:40 this little scale model is pretty tight space wise my original intent was to built the model around the Apogee 10.5mm B2 motors...alas before I got the model modified these Great motors went OOP:(
My only option was to increase the core body tube size to BT-5 for use with A10-3T motors. While this made for an OK model it really severely limited it's flight performance to about 50feet weighing in a 66.8grams empty.
Conversion means really stripping out as much interior styrene plastic as practical and opening up the core between the four nike booster motors to allow the BT-5 to become the structure supporting the now shell of partical tube nike boosters. While I tought about staging better judgement prevailed and I just added a upper stage noseblock. Making the Launch rail usable was also a bit of a chore but worked out fairly nicely. a small piece of black Nomex cloth is all that's required to use the launcher with a standard Launch 1/8" x 36" launch rod for flying.
It's a fairly difficult conversion but can be worth the time if your looking for a really classic "Rocket" type PMC:)

[Micromeister]

Another Revell re-issue is the H-1832-79 1:110th scale Redstone missile. a very nice 13mm motor PMC very straight forward conversion with few if any real problem areas. Does require a decent amount of nose weight to use the Scale fins but is certainly doable. A little less Nwt if Clear Polycarbonate fins are added to the scale fin.
Either way it's a fun little flying model on A3-4T or A10-3T's recoverying on a 10" mylar chute. Ewt 25.3g with chute & ejection plug.

[Micromeister]

Now this one was a Blast to build and Convert for PMC compeititon. The little 1:110th scale Mercury Atlas presented a couple challanges (clear Lexan fin attachment & blast proofing the launcher complex) but with just a little care it was a very rewarding and FUN build.
Building the little Merc-Atlas was a simple stright forward 13mm conversion seperating at the capsule recovering on a 10" standard Estes Plastic type chute. Wire "antenna ring" LL's help hide most of the "model rocket looking parts and .030" clear Lexan fins attached with Weld-on 16 and very fine epoxy fillets help keep the outline fairly clean. Adding a single 1/8" hole just inside the Launch complex holddown grid make it possible to launch the model from the base with a seperate incerted folded 22ga stainless steel deflector the blows the exhaust out the side just as the real missile did. Sorry I've only flown this model once and the photos came out so fuzzy they really were not worth keeping. Model at 49.2grams flys well on A10-3T's to a couple hundred feet. If you want a very nice looking set up this kit is a very nice place to start.
the Atlas portion of the rocket is finished with Master Modeler non-buffing Stainless Steel spary overcoated with Testors Gloss clear. I don't generally use Testors gloss clear but the Stainless came out so good I wanted to try to keep my fingers from degrading it as I fly it. The Model later recieved a clear acrylic plastic dust cover and the Army Redstone missile in the same scale was added to the complex.

[Micromeister]

Come on guy's....and gals also! I know there have got to be other Rocket builders out there converting Plastic models for flight. Lets see some pics and read some stories.

While we're waiting this 1:144th Revell Apollo Saturn-V Cluster conversion was quickly done....and not very well done at that for a club Apollo Moon landing anniversary fun contest. Saturn-V's of all sizes and shapes were entered and all flown the same day.
I decided last minute to alter my original intended 5C6 cluster to just 3 D12's for easy of set-up and use just a single pack of D12-3 motors. Flys very well, nice and stable with the added noseweight and clear lexan fins.
Really doesn't take as long to built or convert as building a 1:100 Estes Saturn-V. If memory severs Airfix currently offers a similar 1:144th Saturn-V if anyone is looking for a model to start your PMC adventures.

[Micromeister]

The Little 1:65th F100 has to be one of my favorite flying PMC's....

Why? Well for several reasons.

First: it flys on a 13mm A10-3T motor in a rear ejection chute drag out pod so I didn't have to cut off the nose of the Jet to make a nosecone seperation point.

Because it's a bit larger then 1:72 it had some decent options detailing the cockpit, landing gear and weapons. Finding optional weapons proved a bit of a challange but I came up with enough that If this were a real aircraft it'd never get off the ground with the missile and bomb load I give it LOL!!!

Next was the opportunity to do a fairly neat camouflage 6 color spary and hand brush painted pattern.

last it just flys pertty well for such a heavy little model. With it's custom made very light drycleaner over the top shroud 10" chute the model has an Ewt. of 72.0grams. Flys well on those windy days I'd had to fly some of my other PMCs.

[Micromeister]

Always keeping an eye out of just about any Plastic model that might make a decent PMC a vew years back I ran into these three kits from Condor later Special Hobbies.
All three are based on 1/72nd scale which is a little small for a V-2 (A4) but it's varients are so interesting they have been on my list for building ever since. To date I've only conpleted a White Sands V2 #2 version featuring rear drag out chute ejection pod set up for 13mm A3 or A10 motors.
Has flown OK on A3-2T's but prefer A10-3T's to have ample time to get the 10" cleaner bag chute to drag out and deploy.

[Micromeister]

The other end of my "Bookend" 1/72nd Scale PMC's is the small Cheap Revell F8-E Crusader kit. Only found one at the hobby shop when I purchased it. expected the kit to be lacking in details & weapons but was very please to discover it has a decent amount of both. With just a little work closing some ill fitting seams and deciding this one would have to "fly" wheels up I had enough to make this a fairly interesting model. To get enough nose weight to move the CG far enough forward it's kind of close to the limits of lift on an A10-3T motor. With it's rear ejection drag-out pod & 12" Dry cleaner bag chute the model's Ewt at 95.6 grams, Adding the motor's 7.9grams takes us to a liftoff weight of 103.5grams.
It's only flown in one competition finishing 3rd after turning in a pretty low 50-60foot flight but deployed well before sticking in the soft grassy field.
I use this model and it's 1/65th brother the F100C with their Bookend style stands at Mod-Roc Displays and demos often.

[Micromeister]

Folks ask if it's possible to convert Plastic Models to fly on 1/8A Micro Maxx motors?
The answer is a resounding YES!

My first attempt was a 1/40th Revell re-Release kit of the Aerobee-Hi Sounding rocket.
The subject sounding rocket is sort of near and dear to my heart as my parents were deeply involved with the project through NRL (Naval Research Lab) here in DC.
The model is a straight single staged MMX motor powered conversion with a section of Clear Polyethylene mailing tube "stuffer" through the interstage "Open air" to the sustainer section. Shockline, Teflon Streamer/wadding recovery all contained in the sustainer. Model displays on the included Trailer-erector but was not built to launch for the trailer.
A rather heavy 12.4g ewt. makes for 13.5g LOWt. very low slow liftoff and flights. If I build another it well have more of the interior excess styrene removed before assembly to lighten the model at least a couple grams.

[Micromeister]

Converting included vehicles to active Mod-Roc Launchers can be a bit involved but very rewarding side project with many Plastic model Kits.
Revells re-release of the 60's H-1816 Lacrosse missile with truck mobile launcher is a fine example.
While the Lacrosse missile is a fairly easy conversion adding necessary launch rod and motor exhaust protection took just a little figuring. Because the missle altitude tilt didn't get me to within 30° of vertical, it is necessary to use an additional faux grass covered hill to add the necessary angle. but it worked very well.
Because the missile takes so much nose weight Ewt: 11.6g LOWt: 12.7grams to get a stable flight it only gets about 15-17feet of altitude before popping the small 4" chute but it was enough to get a 4th place in PMC at a regional meet.
The fun was really in building the truck launcher over the missile itself:)

[Micromeister]

I have to talk about this particular kit as a Collection because Absolutely EVERYTHING in the Box except the spru's can be converted for Flight.....EVERYTHING!
At 1:200 scale this 5 model kit comes with a Mercury Redstone, Mercury Atlas, Gemini Titan, Saturn-1B and Mighty Saturn-V. Both Saturns come with a tiny 1:200 Lunar Excursion Module as well. that makes 7 convertable models in one kit! If you spot one on your Local Hobby shops shelf Snatch it up...it's a REAL DEAL.

My original intention was to make The Mercury Redstone, Mercury Atlas and both LEM's flyable on Micro Maxx motors. the Gemini-Titan was set up for Apogee's 10.5mm A2 and B2 motors. which i've now converted to a single MMX-II but it's right at the limit of lift for the little motor :( The Saturn-1b is set up for 13mm A10-3T, and the Saturn-V for a single D12 or C6 with adaptor.
To date I've Finished, painted and decaled all but the two Saturns which need paint at this point. I was just blown away by the fact I could get every model in the kit to convert for flight.
I've only taken photos of the first 4 but thought the entire kit should be discussed as a unit;)

Again if your looking to completely cover the manned space flight program it's possible to do it with this AMT kit, by adding a 1:200 Lindberg #42565 Shuttle stack model you can have the complete manned US fleet all in the same scale.

[Saluki]

There is good news for anyone who would like to do what Micromeister did with this kit Man In Space set. This set of historic NASA spacecraft will return with its original packaging art as well as the cardboard gantry that had been included in the first release of the kit. It is do out sometime in October.

[Micromeister]

There is good news for anyone who would like to do what Micromeister did with this kit Man In Space set. This set of historic NASA spacecraft will return with its original packaging art as well as the cardboard gantry that had been included in the first release of the kit. It is do out sometime in October.

With all the 50th Anniversaries coming up That's GREAT News Saluki!
I have one or two tucked away from the orignial run, but will be looking for the Re-Release in October. Was this an announcement from AMT or another source?

[Micromeister]

Another Great converting Plastic model for Micro flying is the Heller 1:130 X-15. It was almost Made for Converting with the help of a short section of T2+ (.281")dia Micro motor tubing and a shorter T2 (.246") tube as a nosecone shoulder. I thing the hardest part was cutting the center section out of the wing to allow the tube to pass. With just a small amount of work. the Panel lines can be engraved. I didn't press hard enough and lost most of them during painting. careful razor saw cutting of the nose pieces with a slight offset between the two halfs make a perfect self-aligning anti-rotating nosecone.
Flies very nicely on a single MMX-II Motor to about 30feet, recovery with a 3/4" x 9" white teflon streamer/permanent wadding brings it back for flight after flight.

[Saluki]

Micromeister here is where I read about the AMT Man in Space. Go down to the bottomof the page for the info.
http://www.collectormodel.com/category/amt/

Here is where I learned about the release date.
http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/2011_space_manuf.shtml

[Micromeister]

Micromeister here is where I read about the AMT Man in Space. Go down to the bottomof the page for the info.
http://www.collectormodel.com/category/amt/

Here is where I learned about the release date.
http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/2011_space_manuf.shtml

Good stuff! thanks for the links.

[Micromeister]

This is my Heaviest single motor micro powered PMC. it's only flown Once for that reason LOL!!!
Our club built a 14 model Centenial of Flight tribute to Manned space flight's 100ths anniversary in conjunction with the AIAA, displaying and flying these all approx. 1:70th scale models during that flying year.
Bell's X-1 was one of the models proposed and this little PMC provided a great way to present it. As a flying model It Turely SUCKS LOL!!! just barely clearing the 12" rod... OH MAN! Still it did it's job and remains on of my Man in Space displays at local shows and demos.
If I build another i'll spend more time removing excess plastic from the inside areas of this model. There were many area I could have easily removed several grams of waste without altering the model at all.
As it is she tips the scales at 18.65grams giving an all but impossible Micro lift LOWt of 19.9g.

[Micromeister]

A bit earlier we talked about PMC conversion of any of the 1:144th Apollo Saturn-V kits mine was the older Revell Apollo Saturn-V but most any of these kits "generally" include some sort of little rendition of the Lunar modeule (LM). or as it was called for the early missions the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM).
Must to a lot of folks surprise these tiny secondary assemblies can be converted for Micro-Maxx motor flying as well.
There really isn't much room for extras but a very small 1/2" x 6" Teflon Wadding/Streamer can be fitted along with about 24" of 70-90lb kevlar shock line and a 5/16" hardwood down fashioned into a top Hatch/nosecone.
I discovered these little models fly like single disc spools with a clear .030" Polycarbonate drag fin disc. This arrangement allows the LEM to attain very nice low and slow fights that seem to generate good attention:)

I gold leafed the lower stage of the 1:200 LEM for effect but just painted to 144th verison being a bit lazy:)

[Micromeister]

This has to be my favorite flying Micro PMC. Like it's larger 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 scale brothers it's a great little conversion and fine flying model.
I've built several of these little 1/144th F-104's for fun flying. some with wheels up others wheels down with as many missiles and stores as I can fine in this scale.
Wheels Up they do a great little roll on the way up. By spending a bit of time with a dremel drum sanding wheels on the inside excess plastic and flying it wheels UP, it's possible to get the Ewt under 8grams which does wonder for the overall flights.
Wheels down and all decked out as my Orange Drone Squadron model it tips the scales just at 12grams LOwt of 13.1grams gets 25 to 30 feet with 0 to 5mph winds.
Drat! thought I had a construction pic of two of the wheels up model but apparently they were not saved.
If you watch the on-line Plastic model sites you can sometimes get these little Airfix it's for $2.00 making them a real PMC value as well.

[Micromeister]

This PMC was completely done while on Vacation at the Beach. Evenings out on the screened in porch made a relaxing why to spend the lateday hours after some time in the sun on the sand;)

Taking "stuff" to do while away at our beach trailer has given a whole new way for me to Unwind LOL!!!
This little Heller kit was a bit of a challange as it is on the heavy side. I decided to build it wheels down and use all the stores. While away I really didn't have a portable spray booth so elected to brush paint the entire paint scheme in military flats. Flats hide a lot of the Brush marks and if thinned properly will eliminate them completely. Building the base model only took a few hours, painting and finishing another 4 or 5. I seem to recall using 3 shades of grey, white, black, Olive Drab, yellow, blue and a bit of red with fine grey squirrel and red sable brushes in sizes for 10-0's, to #6.
She is on the heavy size Ewt of 12.5g gives a LOWT of 13.6g. so flights with NO wind are to about 15-20feet. recovers on either a small 4" 1/4mil mylar chute protected by a blue foam ejection plug or 1/2" x 12" white teflon plumbers tape streamer.
An interesting model if your looking for a challange to get everything to in but a fun build.

[Micromeister]

Yes! This one was done on a dare: Not the best reason to attempt a Plastic model conversion I'll admit but when someone says" Hey John! I know Ya can't Micro fly This one". Well ya at least have to give it a try.

Lindbergs XB-70 Valkyrie at 1:180 scale was almost MADE to be a 6 motor Micro Maxx in-line cluster. I mean the vehicles 6 engine exhaust cones neatly fit minimum diameter Micro Motor tubing almost perfectly. Yes a bit of filing was required to get them to set but I didn't loose a single detail to this work. Coming up with a motor manifold to focus the ejection charge without adding to awful much mass was the biggest problem. I thinned out a bit of heavy wall plastic here and there but for the most part left the models interior alone. I did want to make the wheels retractable so the model could be displayed wheels down, but flown wheels up. this added a small amount of extra styrene sheeting to allow them to swing up and the exterior wheel well doors to close. I also had to come up with a way to vent the motor exhaust up into the crew cabin area on another level and make the area to the rear of the canard fins part of the nose cone. The entire build has a detailed thread in the low power section from back in 2005. Below are a few of the building photos I though might spark an interest in trying to build
somewhat heavier Clustered Micro PMC's.

[Micromeister]

just a few 1st flight Photos. Really not that hot a flying model but a very exciting set-up and cluster launch.
This is to date the largest, heaviest successfully flown Micro Maxx cluster in my fleet. with 10" 1/4mil mylar chute the model has an empty weight of 95.4grams. Add 6 MMX-II motors we have a liftoff mass of 102grams (3.59ozs).

While we only got 10-12 total feet of altitude she did pop the chute and it opened before landing with minimal damage. one wing tip fin broken at the seam line, Which was field repaired with a little MC. I almost had it ready for a second flight but ran out of launch day.

[Micromeister]

Those of you who like Futuristic outer space rocket ships this Glenco Model makes an almost effortless PMC conversion.
It's size and configuration make it a challange only in deciding how to work the stablizing clear fins in and how to seperate the model for recovery.

I Chose a different approach for recovery deployment deciding early on I did not want to saw away the crew cabin to create a nosecone and obvious extra seam. I've had exceptional luck with 13mm motor mount rear ejection pods so wanted to try and 18mm motor mount pod. With the taper of the model body is was fairly easy to open the rear to a 19mm internal body with epoxy clad balsa nose block shockcord mount and easy sliding 18mm motor retainer tube with hook. To the hood is attached the Nomex tube clad Kevlar shockline and drag out 15" thin mylar chute.
Fins are .030 clear polycarbonate fitted neatly under and between the landing gear housings and the rocket body. It was hard to see them even knowing they were there.
What a great flying PMC on C6-3s it got several hundred feet, just about stopped at apogee when ejection occured. flipped over and decended Nose down under the 15" chute.

The only real trick to this type "drag out" recovery system is you have to take your time packing and placing the chute/protective wadding and carefully coiling the shock line below the chute to ensure very little drag force needed to get the chute out of the tube. I got more 7 great flights out of this model before I got sloppy with the backing which resulted in a ballastic re-entry the more then re-kitted the model:(
I have another waiting to be built. But as I've been so preoccupied with Micros it's just sitting there waiting.

The kit does had one negative that would be the water slide decals, They are simply AWFUL! if you purchase this kit, Scan and reprint your own decals.

[Micromeister]

A few posts back we talked about 1:144 & 1:200 conversions of the Lunar modules that were intended to pack inside their Launch vehicles (Saturn-1B & Saturn-V).
The next two models on my conversion list are Larger scale Stand alone models. The first is AirFix 1:72 version. To be honest it was the LAST size LEM I've converted.
As with my very first 1/48th scale Lunar Excursion Module it is fitted with clear .030" polycarbonate drag fins placed in the landing gear support structure. Accent stage it painted Silver. Lower stage is Painted Gold then real 22ct. gold leafed.
To get as much chute storage area as possible a section of 14mm tubing was used with a 13mm motor spacer tube installed. I used the hatch the came with the kit, altered as little as possible and used a second very short section of 13mm tubing as the shoulder & noseweight storage:)
This model was used with the Centennial of Flight -AIAA exhibit during the 2003 celibration year.

[Micromeister]

The last LEM in the Fleet is the same as the first one I ever converted 1:48 scale.
This kit which was missed in the box art Photo session is a Monogram Lunar module kit #5081 from 1994. I've seen this kit re-released as kit#6060 in several stores over the last couple years.
While a bit larger then the 1:72 kit the interior and areas availble for motor mounts make it difficult to get anything larger then a 13mm motor with a slightly larger 14mm internal tube to work.
I've flown both on A10-3Ts, to my way of thinking the 1/48th seems a little more reailisticly slow on liftoff but needs a tab more noseweight as it tends to spin at burnout before ejection. Still I like the slower takeoff:)
Building is nearly Identical to the 1:72 model so I didn't bother with a bunch of build photos. I did take one after applying the Gold leaf "Thermal insulation" to the lower stage.
For general ease of construction and flying I'd still suggest the 1:72 scale kit but the 1:48th makes a very nice model as well.

[Micromeister]

Looking for a pretty straight forward, nice converting, fun flying Plastic Model?
then take a look at the Glenco 1:48th Jupiter-C. with just a little extra work it's possible to turn this model into a very respectable contest flying PMC.
Easy enough for A & B divisioners' but can be enhanced with detailing good with the best C & Teams.

Flys wonderfully on B & C motors, returning on 18" to 20" chutes without damage. Turely a great flying scale PMC.

[Micromeister]

One of the first dual outset motor PMC's I tried was a fairly inexpensive 1/32 Scale F15-E Revell model in 1995. I was able to pick up one for about 28 bucks. A deal by todays 1/32 model standards.

Conversion was really fun; Since I wanted to ducted both D12 motors into a core BT-55 to have plenty of room for a big nylon chute I needed to come up with a manifold arrangement. Sorry the only construction pics I have are Polariod but that was all I had at the time. Keeping the thrustline centered on the direction of travel proved to be a little more tricky then first thought.
After several looping flights I finally figured out I was pressing the D12 motor tubes down a little when installing the upper deck. Made for some very interesting "test flights" lol!

Edit: Add some box-art photos I missed yesterday.

[Micromeister]

Purchased this model in the hopes I could convert not only the Tiny 1/48th Missile but also incorporate the launcher battery into a working launch system.
Just one of the 4 missiles will be launchable but the entire set up would be really COOL if I can make it work. LONG story short, I purchased the rather expensive kit (about 45.00 back then) in 2003. I'm still trying to get the undersized fin Model To fly correctly after 9 semi-successful flights. All seem to end with the model Tail wiggling or spinning just before apogee and ejection.

I'm at the point now that I'm going to increase the fin area and span as wide as possible while still sliding inside the cardstock & stainless foil lines Storage/launch box.

I've also considered just building a T2+ model out of standard micro model parts and flying it out of the launcher/box just for fun. One way or another I intend to finish this PMC launcher build even if it only flys standard semi-scale micro Patriot models;)

[Micromeister]

While not a normal "kit" these Huge models make some Awsome PMC's. I chose to power mine with a 3 -D12 cluster, Save the Landing gear, so it can sit of the runway or display wheels down but fly wheels up. I've also been investigating a way to launch two of my four custom micro Sidewinders just after the model leaves the launcher. This may or may not happen but the machanics have all but been worked out:)
I dumped a bunch of unnecessary internal plastic mass and scraped out a good bit of dead weight allowing most of the good features to be retained.
still working on adding Wing tip Sidewinder Launch rails greatly reducing the weight over the supplied wingtip drop tanks. Can hardly wait to get it in the air.

[Micromeister]

Well that's the extent of my Built Plastic Model Conversions. I have plenty more waiting to be finished, or started coming down the road.

Recently I have seen..and just had to buy a couple new kits that I'll share though I haven't even opened the boxes yet:)

Some look to be pretty easy coversions a couple very complicated but the skys only limited by our imagination and the kits on the hobby shop shelves:)

[kjohnson]

This was a fairly easy conversion, using 13mm A10-3 motors and a small mylar chute.
The kit is from Special Hobby.

[Micromeister]

This was a fairly easy conversion, using 13mm A10-3 motors and a small mylar chute.
The kit is from Special Hobby.

Great looking A4-b Kevin!
I've got one still sitting in the box waiting. Do you recall about how much extra nose weight was needed with those forward wings?

[kjohnson]

Not off hand. It did take quite a bit, though.

kj

[kjohnson]

One of the first dual outset motor PMC's I tried was a fairly inexpensive 1/32 Scale F15-E Revell model in 1995. I was able to pick up one for about 28 bucks. A deal by todays 1/32 model standards.

Revell currently has a 1/32 F-15 out for around $32. Still a deal for a 1/32 scale jet.

kj

[Micromeister]

Revell currently has a 1/32 F-15 out for around $32. Still a deal for a 1/32 scale jet.

kj

Oh Man! Kevin Where did you see them I'd LOVE to get my hands on one or two.... could be the Nose cone might fit my existing F-15 and It could fly again:)

I'm gonna have to take a quick trip to REVELL.com to check it out;)
Thanks for the tip.

Edit: Found them during lunch break...have 2 on the way. Thanks again for the heads up! Tooo KEWL...

[garmtn]

I just got this yesterday and started looking around. Found "Erockets", who said," straight forward conversion into a 5 motor, 13mm cluster or single 18mm, which is more difficult. Wrote to "Erockets" on the hope they have plans 4 sale to PMC. Looking @ it more closely, the only way I see to do it is cut it in half, forming two stages and make a "rearward" deploying chute in middle. Technically no fins on this but, the external motor struts should act like fins. Any thoughts? So far I've only converted 1 PM and had a C.A.T.O. on the pad.

[kjohnson]

There were a few of the Apollo 27 entered in PMC at NARAM.

Here are a couple of photos from naramlive.com :
http://naramlive.com/naramlive-2011/naramlive/03sunday/day3scaleimages/11-07-24-21-36-57%20-%20IMG_3517.JPG
http://naramlive.com/naramlive-2011/naramlive/08friday/finaldayimages/11-07-29-13-32-35%20-%20IMG_3057.JPG


You don't have to make it a stage or rear eject or anything. Just put a motor mount and a stuffer tube in the center, cut the nose cone off and add a shoulder, and enough noseweight to make it stable.

how much? who knows. But you should read the tech tip on PMC from either the NARHAMS.org website, or George Gassaway's site.

kj

[Rocket_Man]

My Special Hobbies 1:32 X-15:

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy308/zaphodbebleebrox/DSCF0007-2.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy308/zaphodbebleebrox/DSCF0005-2.jpg

BUILD VIDEO!!!

Z27FtW2DANE

[JRobinsonUSAF]

I've been wanting to do a Vostok, but I've been put off by the thoughts of rolling all the paper shrouds necessary for a decent model. The it hit me. I have a 1/72 Mach 2 R-7 in the stash (Mach 2 kits are molded badly at twice the speed of sound), so I pulled it out, and found out that a BT-50 fits inside the main core tube perfectly. I weighed all the plastic, it came out to 5.8 oz. I figure I can grind an ounce or so off the interior walls - they're built like bank vaults. I can cobble together the upper stage easy enough, replace the booster bases with foam core, and I figure I will use D engines in it because of the weight. I imagine I'm going to have to stuff a lot of nose weight in it to get it to balance properly. I know MPC had a Vostok model you could fly, but it was considerably lighter and smaller.

Does this sound feasible? Has anyone else pulled this off before?

[Disaster_Guy]

I can't offer any advice but did want to say thanks for bringing this thread back up. I saw it just before going out to the hobby shop this evening and sitting there in front of me was a Revell 1:40 Corporal Missile with Transporter kit. Obviously I couldn't resist.

http://www.oldmodelkits.com/jpegs/Revell%2085-7852%20Corporal.JPG

After opening the box and taking a look at the instructions the actual missile construction is very simple but the rest not so much. It looks like it should take a 13mm motor nicely and separate at the center for ejection of a 6 or 8" chute. Ultimately I plan to try to get this thing to launch from the model mobile launcher. I haven't built a plastic model in about 20 years (and I was about 11 or 12 then) so this could get interesting.

[Micromeister]

I can't offer any advice but did want to say thanks for bringing this thread back up. I saw it just before going out to the hobby shop this evening and sitting there in front of me was a Revell 1:40 Corporal Missile with Transporter kit. Obviously I couldn't resist.

http://www.oldmodelkits.com/jpegs/Revell%2085-7852%20Corporal.JPG

After opening the box and taking a look at the instructions the actual missile construction is very simple but the rest not so much. It looks like it should take a 13mm motor nicely and separate at the center for ejection of a 6 or 8" chute. Ultimately I plan to try to get this thing to launch from the model mobile launcher. I haven't built a plastic model in about 20 years (and I was about 11 or 12 then) so this could get interesting.

Yeap!
I have one setting in the basement waiting for the que! it'll likely be a 13mm conversion thou I may do some aft end rasp work to open it up for 18mm motors.
I'm also looking hard at the erector launcher vehicle and base to see what it's going to take to convert them to launch useable pieces, adding a launch rod of coarse.

[Disaster_Guy]

Yeap!
I have one setting in the basement waiting for the que! it'll likely be a 13mm conversion thou I may do some aft end rasp work to open it up for 18mm motors.

Indeed, the aft opening, as it, is perfect for a 13mm motor mount. In fact the stock nozzle looks prime to attach to a spent 13mm casing so that it can be "inserted" for display.

[Micromeister]

I've been wanting to do a Vostok, but I've been put off by the thoughts of rolling all the paper shrouds necessary for a decent model. The it hit me. I have a 1/72 Mach 2 R-7 in the stash (Mach 2 kits are molded badly at twice the speed of sound), so I pulled it out, and found out that a BT-50 fits inside the main core tube perfectly. I weighed all the plastic, it came out to 5.8 oz. I figure I can grind an ounce or so off the interior walls - they're built like bank vaults. I can cobble together the upper stage easy enough, replace the booster bases with foam core, and I figure I will use D engines in it because of the weight. I imagine I'm going to have to stuff a lot of nose weight in it to get it to balance properly. I know MPC had a Vostok model you could fly, but it was considerably lighter and smaller.

Does this sound feasible? Has anyone else pulled this off before?

Do you mean something Like This?

For the life of me I can't recall what the scale of this model was...possibly 144th?, More then likely about the same as many of the Currently available Vostok and R-7 models out there. To be honest it didn't take much extra nose weight beyond the mass of the 18mm C6-3 and C6-5 I flew it on a number of times back in the stone age.
It's Got to be about the same size as my models Finished empty mass was 5.07oz.
If you do a cardboard cutout or run the calculations through Open Rocket or Rocksim I'm sure you'll be pleased to see it's Not going to need much in the way of extra nose weight.

[Micromeister]

Indeed, the aft opening, as it, is perfect for a 13mm motor mount. In fact the stock nozzle looks prime to attach to a spent 13mm casing so that it can be "inserted" for display.

have to agree disaster guy!
After a little closer look I'd have to almost gring all the plastic out to get a BT-20 in the lower section. I've decided to go with 13mm interial tubing.
This one is such an easy conversion, I'm spending most of my building time working out how to use the Transporter & launcher in a base board mounted diorama to fly it from. Should be fun. Just started on this thing a couple days ago. More pics as I progress with both missile and launcher.

Edit: couple new pics as this project proceeds.
2nd Edit: Missile ready for primer, Mobile Launcher trailer build..on toTransport/erector:)

[chrism]

Another candidate for a PMC is this reissue from Airfix:

[JRobinsonUSAF]

Do you mean something Like This?

For the life of me I can't recall what the scale of this model was...possibly 144th?, More then likely about the same as many of the Currently available Vostok and R-7 models out there. To be honest it didn't take much extra nose weight beyond the mass of the 18mm C6-3 and C6-5 I flew it on a number of times back in the stone age.
It's Got to be about the same size as my models Finished empty mass was 5.07oz.
If you do a cardboard cutout or run the calculations through Open Rocket or Rocksim I'm sure you'll be pleased to see it's Not going to need much in the way of extra nose weight.


John,

Thanks for the input. Your picture looks suspiciously like the 1/100 MPC kit. I will be using the Mach 2 kit from France in 1/72 scale. It is actually an R7 prototype rocket, so to get a Vostok, I will be scratchbuilding everything from the taper above the boosters upwards from conventional tube and balsa. Fortunately, the center core just so happens to take a BT-50 perfectly, so that makes it a little easier. Since this kit is rather a pig as far as weight goes, I will be thinning down the plastic walls on the boosters considerably to reduce overall weight and shift the CG forward on the model. Here goes nothing..........

JR

[Micromeister]

Have another 13mm motor mount PMC started that I think is going to be fun.
Revells re-released SM-62 Snark (#7810).

Hope I can get the balance worked out without having to add clear fins. We'll see as the build progresses.
Cardboard cutouts seem to indicate it should work as is, I may add a very thin dorsal to work with the tail....perhaps with Wing tanks well do instead.

Edit: Now a good bit further into Converting by george I think this thing is going to fly!

[Micromeister]

Another candidate for a PMC is this reissue from Airfix:

I'm not so sure about that one Chrism!
Doesn't look like there is much room to correct the CP/CG with that skinny nose and huge forward wing surface. Getting the balance right on that one and still having room for some kind of recovery system just doesn't look very promissing even at 13mm.
I think that's going to be one of those Darn "it's just gonna be a static models". I have a closet full of such "promising" kits...looked great till ya open the box. 1/144th F86 saber was one. 1/40th Honest John was another. Not all PMC's are worthy grasshopper....Choose wisely as RE-Kitting flying plastic can be hazardous to your health, Which is why PMC flyers, do it in a Hardhat:)

There are currently a BUNCH of Great candidates for PMC conversion. if your looking for same NEAT looking models...a bit on the heavy side til you thin the walls. ya might want to look at Pegasus Hobbies Space Ark #9022 1/350th scale from the movie "When Worlds Collide". Apollo 27 Rocket #9101, and the 1/350th Mercury 9 rocket. I'm also considering what to do with a 1/24th "Robby the Robot" from Forbidden Planet. and re-Working my existing 1/32nd scale F-15D/E with a new Nosecone from the recently re-released and VERY Affordable Revell-Germany F-15D/F Eagle kit #5715 running $27.94 each from http://megahobby.com which has a huge selection of sci-fi and Space related models currently.
Airfix 1/144th #air5172 Vostok is a fairly reasonable $21.89, or Revell-Germany 1/24th Vostok Spacecraft #RVG24 @$23.70 to name just two.

[Disaster_Guy]

have to agree disaster guy!
After a little closer look I'd have to almost gring all the plastic out to get a BT-20 in the lower section. I've decided to go with 13mm interial tubing.
This one is such an easy conversion, I'm spending most of my building time working out how to use the Transporter & launcher in a base board mounted diorama to fly it from. Should be fun. Just started on this thing a couple days ago. More pics as I progress with both missile and launcher.

Looking forward to see it progress. The build of mine has been somewhat stalled. I need to grab a piece of 13mm tube and cut out some centering rings. I have two issues currently with the build of mine:
-Apparently I suck much more at painting plastic models than other rockets (not saying much). Perhaps I am doing something wrong. I am using Testors flat white enamel on the rocket and the base plastic is showing through and you can see where some is heavier than others. Perhaps it just needs a second coat?

-Need to figure out motor retention... My initial thought was to leave some of the motor tube hanging out the back some so I could use tape to secure the motor and provide at least some shielding to to plastic fins. The problem with this is that it totally kills the scale aspect of the build.

[Micromeister]

Looking forward to see it progress. The build of mine has been somewhat stalled. I need to grab a piece of 13mm tube and cut out some centering rings. I have two issues currently with the build of mine:
-Apparently I suck much more at painting plastic models than other rockets (not saying much). Perhaps I am doing something wrong. I am using Testors flat white enamel on the rocket and the base plastic is showing through and you can see where some is heavier than others. Perhaps it just needs a second coat?

-Need to figure out motor retention... My initial thought was to leave some of the motor tube hanging out the back some so I could use tape to secure the motor and provide at least some shielding to to plastic fins. The problem with this is that it totally kills the scale aspect of the build.

I Know what you mean about killing the scale aspect. I'm looking at using a Motor retainer hook without that stupid excess thumb loop. the Old school retainer type.
I'll be using fine Wire "antenna loop" launch lugs just have to determine where they will be placed. Which will depend on weather the model ends up flying from the Transporter or launch platform? Adding a launch rod and protective jet deflector are the other small concerns, I may just use a Nomex blanket for the latter.

I'd go with Gloss paints first, apply the decals and other details than hit it with a coat or two of UV matte clear. Decals do not like flat Paints.

[Micromeister]

Just finished this conversion. Haven't flown it yet, Sure was a very interesting & Fun 2 motor cluster micro conversion. The complete Build thread is in the Micro Maxx section forum.
Hope to do an F14 Tomcat in the same scale soon.

[Micromeister]

John,

Thanks for the input. Your picture looks suspiciously like the 1/100 MPC kit. I will be using the Mach 2 kit from France in 1/72 scale. It is actually an R7 prototype rocket, so to get a Vostok, I will be scratchbuilding everything from the taper above the boosters upwards from conventional tube and balsa. Fortunately, the center core just so happens to take a BT-50 perfectly, so that makes it a little easier. Since this kit is rather a pig as far as weight goes, I will be thinning down the plastic walls on the boosters considerably to reduce overall weight and shift the CG forward on the model. Here goes nothing..........

JR

There are a bunch of 1/144th scale Sapwood, R7 & Vostok-1 models currently floating around. I just picked up a 50th anniversary Vostok-1 1/144th AirFix Kit #A05172 and a Limited Edition 1/24th scale Revell #00024 Vostok-1 Spacecraft model both look like they will be very nice 18 & 24mm powered PMC's. the Airfix A06172 Saturn-1B (Apollo-7) should round out my 144th Manned Space flight display sometime this year.
Working currently on 2 other PMC's so start time on the Vostok & Saturn-1b models well be down the road just a bit.

[aerostadt]

Three Stage ferry Rocket 1/288th Glenco
Glenco's VonBraun 3-Stage Ferry Rocket looked like a natural for PMC conversion.
Well it does have a few issues to be worked out but can make for a very nice 13mm motor flying model.
The model is tail heavy as all gee-wiz. This means scrapping alot of unnecessary wall material from the molded parts AND a good bit of nose weight. I seem to recall someone submitted an article to the old Model Rocketeer covering converting this model but alas I didn't have that issue. Glenco used an older version of the Ferry rocket then I remembered with the Crew Plane having full Delta wings. I chose to alter this to the more normal wing look.

Years ago, I bought a NARTS Collected Plans 1989-1994 from "The Sentinel" the newsletter of the Central Massachusetts Spacemodeling Society (CMASS). In that publication Bill Spadafora has a conversion of the Glencoe 3-stage Ferry Rocket dated Winter 1994.

[Micromeister]

Years ago, I bought a NARTS Collected Plans 1989-1994 from "The Sentinel" the newsletter of the Central Massachusetts Spacemodeling Society (CMASS). In that publication Bill Spadafora has a conversion of the Glencoe 3-stage Ferry Rocket dated Winter 1994.

Oh KOOL!
I'm gonna have to look that up. I knew I'd seen a plan somewhere. NARTS Collection 1989-1994 CMASS "the Sentinel" Bill Spadafora winter 1994
Thanks!

[Micromeister]

Done!

After further consideration, decided to split the difference between 1 and 2 caliber stability. went about 1-1/2 adding 30.0grams of #9 lead shot & epoxy to the nose and shoulder of the Shank. Loaded CG is now just aft of the wing forward seam. I'll post the measurement when I get the permanent 12" chute and some wadding in it.
Hope to test fly her in the next couple weeks, wind and weather dependent:)

[hornet driver]

YEP ! That'll work Micro.

[Micromeister]

Finished the building...still working on the diorama that will allow me to launch from the trailer launcher (with a little help from some nomex and a 1/8" stainless launch rod).

The finished model and support vehicles below. Was a fun build with the exception of having to create a missing missile retainer piece I believe didn't get molded on the sprue.

[garmtn]

Mr Cluster: Our club just had an open event w/"PMC" as one of the events. I'm very happy to have found this site as one of the jets that attempted to fly landed in my lap @ launch control table! fortunately my quick reflexes kicked in and I wasn't hurt. I'll try an enclose a photo of my Apollo 27. TTY Glenn86685

[maxmph]

So John, do you have any plans or (a build thread) for converting a 1/48 Starfighter? I've been going to try it since I read about one flying at a meet in an old "Model Rocketeer" 30 years ago (maybe that was yours!) Last count I have three kits. I also have a 1/32 F-14E kit and saw your conversion, I may try that too!

[Micromeister]

So John, do you have any plans or (a build thread) for converting a 1/48 Starfighter? I've been going to try it since I read about one flying at a meet in an old "Model Rocketeer" 30 years ago (maybe that was yours!) Last count I have three kits. I also have a 1/32 F-14E kit and saw your conversion, I may try that too!

Oh Man!
the F-104 Starfighter is a "Staple" for most PMC'ers. just pick a scale they all fly wonderfully in all kinds of conditions. IIRC a Wheels up 1/48th F-104 Starfighter was my first "Second Fleet" PMC. I litterally flew that model till the Body tube wore out. currently I have F-104's in 1/144th, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 and 1/18th. Unfortunetly these builds with the exceptions of the 1/144th and 1/18th were long before I started doing build thread documents. I do have the Required contest data packet used with the models in PMC NAR competitions but they generally don't contain all the exact body tube lengths, Nose weight amounts and such. I'll have to dig out the Packet and see if I can find any of my notes on the F-104 Starfighter. It is by far the easiest jet aircraft to convert for Rocket powered flight.

OH! Dang it's been so long as I'm sitting here typing I just remembered the F-104 and F-100 are covered in one of the Tech-Tip articles #009 Plastic Model Conversion. The Article is 672k PDF format for easy download from the library section of www.narhams.org Page 7 give a generic assembly instructions for F-104s, F-100s and F-105's with nose weight needed and other general instructions. If memory serves our F-104 in 1/48th scale needs about 29-30 grams of nose weight. if you put a very slight twist in one elevator (less then a degree) the model will do have very slow and majestic barrel roll on the way up.
Hope this helps, sorry for being a bit wordy

[Micromeister]

Mr Cluster: Our club just had an open event w/"PMC" as one of the events. I'm very happy to have found this site as one of the jets that attempted to fly landed in my lap @ launch control table! fortunately my quick reflexes kicked in and I wasn't hurt. I'll try an enclose a photo of my Apollo 27. TTY Glenn86685

Wow Glenn:
Did the owner get extra credit for RFO Spot landing LOL!!! That's why we call it PMC.. Plastic Death and many of us wear hard hats at such contests. I do wish all PMC models would do the proper pre-flight CP/CG calculations and 1st flight their models AWAY for contests and ALL spectators. I try very hard to make all PMC 1st flights with a very barest of range crews or in total isolation if I have any doubt at all in the expected flight of one of my conversions. Swing tests help but really the only way to know exactly what a model is going to do in free flight is to fly it. To do these experimental flights safely they SHOULD be done in isolation.

I have an Apollo-27 5 motor cluster in the que. Should be a fun conversion when I get to it. What does your fly in?

[Micromeister]

Another Recently finished conversion has been the Currently available Airfix 1/144th Vostok-1. A very nice kit it is just a bit small for 13mm motors without same major surgery to the core but the fix seems to have blended in perfectly. I have build thread photos done and may have already started a thread in the LPR section will have to go back and look.
The kit comes with optional parts for the sputnik R-7 Luna, Vostok & Soyuz varients. I decided to make all the spacecraft varients as part of the static display with the Vostok and necessary nose weight within it. should be a very nice flying models. Swing testing was a little nervewracking but proved to be very easy and showed as very stable. Here are a couple of the photos.
One of the things I really like about the kit is it comes with a Scale Cosmonaut...He's standing at the left front of the display. Really gives a bit of Scale to the models.

[Micromeister]

While working on the Vostok I was also building 5 Micro powered 1/144th Jets. 3 are complete ready to fly. Starting with the outstanding Dragon 1/144th X15 two model kit. only build one but MAN are these kits worth the extra dollars! Talk about Detail, accuracy and very nice engraved panel lines. A super kit very hightly recommmended. Next another special recovery ducting challange.... a LEE 1/144th F-14 Tomcat twin motor conversion. Because of the way this aircraft flys the variable postion wing is not fixed but will pivot from full delta back to Landing extended. This feature required ducting the twin streamer out the intake ports. and because of the mass this one may not go very far. but I intend to give it a try. Another Lee 1/144th kit of the F-20 TigerShark is a single motor Joy. but because of the stubby short length lead me to use a Rear Ejection Drag-out Teflon Streamer rather then trying to pop the nose. With so little room in there we'll have to see if the little micor has the beef to pull out the 1/2" x 12" streamer?
Two more in the Painting phase currently are an F1C Marage 1/144th and F35 Lighting JSF with also has a rear ejection pod that I'm hoping I can wrap a small streamer around similar to the chute on the Scissor wing transport. I have an F-22 Raptor in 144th that i'm trying to figure a way to install the motors without completely distroying the anti-radar V'ed engine openings. If the main Rocket bay remains this one will have to be Intake ejection as well. A super detailed kit I really don't want to distroy most of the inner weapons bays but something has to give;)

[maxmph]

Thanks very much for the information! I found the NARHAMS article you recommended and it was just what the doctor ordered!



Hope this helps, sorry for being a bit wordy

No problem here, the more you are willing to share the better! Your enthusiasm for pmc is contagious, I'm excited to get building! - Paul