Building the Estes Little Joe II: Tips, Tricks, and Modifications

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
This next tip is COMPLETELY counterintuitive, so hang with me...

Nothing is trickier to paint than a metallic surface, so chintzing out on paint is probably not wise. Over the years the Tamiya spray lacquer paints have always yielded great results for me, and their gloss aluminum color is probably the easiest way to get a realistic metal finish simply and quickly. The trick is to spray a gloss black layer before applying the final aluminum color. The fins have already been primed with white primer, so next we'll shoot on some black lacquer
View attachment 280934
The primed fins will be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before shooting on the final gloss aluminum color.

Closing comments on the Tamiya spray lacquers: they are expensive, but nothing will give you better results easier, more reliably, or more quickly. In addition they dry very fast, requiring only 5-10 minutes between coats, and any unpleasant odor dissipates within minutes. I can't recommend them highly enough.

James

https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam85014.htm
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam85026.htm
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam85017.htm

You don't mention it but did you also spray the black over the corrugated wrap as well? I'm curious as to how the black undercoat makes the aluminum look more realistic?
 
Well I'm an idiot. Somehow I missed post #50 where the black undercoat was applied to the wrap as well.
 
You don't mention it but did you also spray the black over the corrugated wrap as well? I'm curious as to how the black undercoat makes the aluminum look more realistic?

The theory states that the black undercoat provides additional depth to the metallic overcoat. I've seen the technique used on enough of my own models as well as those of far more accomplished builders to have convinced myself that the process works.

Yep, the corrugated wrap gets the black undercoat as well!

James
 
The theory states that the black undercoat provides additional depth to the metallic overcoat. I've seen the technique used on enough of my own models as well as those of far more accomplished builders to have convinced myself that the process works.

Yep, the corrugated wrap gets the black undercoat as well!

James

Thanks James. This is the route I'm taking with my build as well. You are right. The black undercoat does appear to give the metallic layer more depth.
 
After opening this thread some 20 months ago, I finally got around to adding the last final little detail to my Little Joe II model. Not long after the model was released, a modeler named Daniel Cavender posted a photo of a display stand for the model that he laser cut from plywood. I thought Daniel's stand was fantastic, so I reached out to him to see if he would share the file so I could cut one for myself. After cutting a kit over a year ago I get distracted by other projects, and the parts started gathering dust.

A few weeks ago I decided to dust them off and put the kit together. Daniel's engineering was fantastic, and the plywood bits fit together exceptionally well. Construction took just a bit of epoxy, and after some quick sanding the structure was hit with some primer, some gloss white, and finally some bright yellow (all Rustoleum).

While the stand isn't strictly scale, it is a great complement to the finished model. Thanks to Daniel for sharing the digital file for the stand, and thanks again to John Boren and Estes for modernizing and revitalizing one of the greatest kits in the history of our hobby!

James

IMG_2859.jpg
 
After opening this thread some 20 months ago, I finally got around to adding the last final little detail to my Little Joe II model. Not long after the model was released, a modeler named Daniel Cavender posted a photo of a display stand for the model that he laser cut from plywood. I thought Daniel's stand was fantastic, so I reached out to him to see if he would share the file so I could cut one for myself. After cutting a kit over a year ago I get distracted by other projects, and the parts started gathering dust.

A few weeks ago I decided to dust them off and put the kit together. Daniel's engineering was fantastic, and the plywood bits fit together exceptionally well. Construction took just a bit of epoxy, and after some quick sanding the structure was hit with some primer, some gloss white, and finally some bright yellow (all Rustoleum).

While the stand isn't strictly scale, it is a great complement to the finished model. Thanks to Daniel for sharing the digital file for the stand, and thanks again to John Boren and Estes for modernizing and revitalizing one of the greatest kits in the history of our hobby!

James

View attachment 329347

James, I saw you posted the pdf file on FB, are you going to post it here? I assume the pdf file is full scale, but for double check can you post a couple dimensions?

EDIT: Follow up...is there any way you can post this file as a DXF file? I have a friend with a laser cutter, and the pdf you posted isn't playing nice with his software. You mentioned an Illustrator file on FB...what is the raw format?
 
James, I saw you posted the pdf file on FB, are you going to post it here? I assume the pdf file is full scale, but for double check can you post a couple dimensions?

EDIT: Follow up...is there any way you can post this file as a DXF file? I have a friend with a laser cutter, and the pdf you posted isn't playing nice with his software. You mentioned an Illustrator file on FB...what is the raw format?

I've posted a pdf version of the plan below with a 1" square added so that you can check dimensions. My original version is in Adobe Illustrator format, and I'm afraid that I have no application that can export a .dxf file. I can send you the .ai file, if you like. (Can't attach .ai files here due to limitations with the Rocketry Forum interface, it seems.)

James

View attachment Estes Little Joe II Display Stand copy.pdf
 
Thanks for that James, I PM'd you for the AI file...I would like to see what SolidWorks can do with it. Somebody at work converted the pdf -> dwg but when I bring it in to SWX it is huge! The .19 slot was something like 9.3333 inches...I scaled it down using the dimensions measured off the pdf (after you told me on FB those were correct dimensions).

I made solid models of some of the pieces to do a fit check against a dummy 1/45 LJII and it appears to fit OK.

Thanks for providing the data, and thanks to Daniel for creating the stand in the first place!

Little Joe II Stand Base Dim.JPG

Little Joe II Stand Base Assy 03.jpg
 
CRITICAL UPDATE: after this thread was begun it has emerged that adhesive selection on a number of parts is extremely important, so this "read first" note has been attached here. The vacuform body wrap, injection molded fin halves, and injection molded nozzle halves appear to have been molded using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. This particular plastic is somewhat resistant to many traditional solvent cements suggested for plastic model parts, which have traditionally been molded from high impact polystyrene (HIPS). It is critical to select an appropriate solvent cement for certain steps in the build sequence that involve ABS and ABS-to-HIPS bonds, such as the following:

* fin half assembly
* nozzle half assembly
* attaching the launch lugs to the vacuform wrap

Plastruct Plastic Weld has been confirmed to work well on these joints, and can be purchased from most major hobby vendors. Using other solvent cements may result in the failure of these joints, especially the critical lug-to-wrap bond.

https://www.hobbylinc.com/plastruct-plastiweld-1-plastic-model-cement-00002

The capsule, escape tower, and RCS quads all appear to be molded from HIPS, and respond well to traditional model assembly solvent adhesives.

_______________________________

So, the Estes 1/45 scale Little Joe II has generated a degree of interest perhaps not seen before for a model rocket kit, and many of us have started builds. Let's use this thread to share any wisdom gleaned during the process so that everyone can be successful with their kits.

The new LJII kit seems to have a quality not previously seen in a production scale model rocket kit: it combines complexity and accuracy, yet has been engineered for simple assembly and success. So, if you develop any insight that might help others in building their kit, please share it here!

I'll start with the first tip in just a few moments...

James
I had a problem with the plastruct product. It dries way too fast. The larger pieces didn't stick. I ended up using traditional plastic cement to assemble the parts, then I wicked the plastic weld into the seams.
 
I had a problem with the plastruct product. It dries way too fast. The larger pieces didn't stick. I ended up using traditional plastic cement to assemble the parts, then I wicked the plastic weld into the seams.

One thing we may have neglected to mention when suggesting the Plastruct Plastic Weld cement is how the stuff is designed to be used! The parts should first be held together in an assembled position, then the liquid cement is applied to the joint with a brush. Capillary action will draw the cement into the closed joint, allowing the cement to act.

Sorry about that omission!

James
 
One thing we may have neglected to mention when suggesting the Plastruct Plastic Weld cement is how the stuff is designed to be used! The parts should first be held together in an assembled position, then the liquid cement is applied to the joint with a brush. Capillary action will draw the cement into the closed joint, allowing the cement to act.

Sorry about that omission!

James
Thanks, James.
 
Does anyone have a Rocksim file for this build. I can't find one in any search I've conducted so far. Will build up my own if I have to but would prefer not to. Thanks.
 
Does anyone have a Rocksim file for this build. I can't find one in any search I've conducted so far. Will build up my own if I have to but would prefer not to. Thanks.
Here is what I worked up in RS. If you open it up in OR, there are some differences, mainly due to using straight Barrowman vs. RockSim's CP algorithm, plus a little difference in the mass calcs. I used actual as-built mass values for the fins and the LES tower...the placement of the clay is approximate.

I am also attaching a spreadsheet with comparisons between the two (note I had to add ".txt" extension to allow TRF to upload--something weird about the allowable extensions--just delete that after downloading).

Somewhere, John Boren told us the balance point should be 6.25" from the end of the main body.
 

Attachments

  • ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45.rkt
    86.4 KB · Views: 80
  • ALJII_Stability Compare_OR-RS.xlsx.txt
    9.5 KB · Views: 60
Thanks much. This will save me a bunch of time I proceed to the final build and have to tweak the weight for the balance point.

I saw John's balance point entry as well, but it can't be 6.25" from the end of the main body (?), it must be 6.25 inches above the CP, which is about what your modeling shows. BTW, which model do you lean toward, it either - RS or OR?

I'm doing more mods based on what other people have done. I screwed up the front motor mount ring (glued off kilter), so I built my own (beefier, sandwiched 1/8" balsa cross grain with card stock backing) and decided to beef up the bottom one as well. I've never liked the basic Estes motor mounts, they are not all that strong and I've had them fail before (on the original K-30 LJ II kit). I'm going to do the square rod fin mods but am considering doing it in conjunction with adding rings for and aft of the spars for even more strength, then add expanding foam as a last step. I might put expanding foam in the fins themselves as well. I'm going to use a kevlar shock cord anchored to the MM. Finally, I'm thinking I''ll use BB's for nose cone weight (because the aft adds will need top weight added), plus two small ply barriers, one on top of the epoxy/BB weight ( and anchored to the tower legs sticking into the nose come) and another in the shoulder of the nose cone, with expanding foam in between, to hold an eyebolt for the recovery harness. Oh, and I'll use rail buttons since with the added weight I'll likely need a 6' rail to make sure I have stability when it comes off the rail.

What will this all add up to weight wise? Don't know, but now I can model it before I make final decisions. With the added weight a E30W-4 probably is insufficient because it will need a shorter delay or more total impulse, but with the added strengthening, I suspect I can go with Aerotech F's, which gives you a lot more engine and delay options. We will see...

If this all pans out I may do another one, but clustered C's with the D/E/F center. That would provide for some interesting flight options, much like the real LJ II could be flown with many configs.

Cheers.
 
Thanks much. This will save me a bunch of time I proceed to the final build and have to tweak the weight for the balance point.

I saw John's balance point entry as well, but it can't be 6.25" from the end of the main body (?), it must be 6.25 inches above the CP, which is about what your modeling shows. BTW, which model do you lean toward, it either - RS or OR?
Well, to be stable you want the CG ahead of the CP about 1 body diameter, so the balance point should be about 3.4" above the CP. That is 1 caliber of stability (or static margin). An SM a little less than one will still provide a stable flight as long as the rod exit velocity is sufficiently high to offset any cross-wind. I believe that is why the E30 is being preferred over the D12 or E12 (compare the rod exit velocities).

As far as RS vs. OR...the latter uses straight Barrowman CP calculations, which make a bunch of simplifications and tends to be conservative. RS can run Barrowman, but also has a different algorithm that can take advantage of more complex shapes. If you look at this file with both simulators, you will see OR has this being marginally stable. People have been successfully flying this bird, so I would say OR is being conservative. I've seen people report problems flying w/ the BP motors (D12/E12) but they don't report all the launch conditions (wind speed, rod angle, actual lift off mass) so it's hard to trouble shoot what happened.

EDIT: I did not have these screen shots at work earlier, but here are shots of RS and OR sims, both empty and with an E30 to show the SM...
 

Attachments

  • ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45.jpg
    ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 129
  • ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45-OR_Page_1.jpg
    ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45-OR_Page_1.jpg
    40.2 KB · Views: 119
  • ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45_E30.jpg
    ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45_E30.jpg
    56.8 KB · Views: 113
  • ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45-E30-OR.jpg
    ApolloLittleJoeII_1-45-E30-OR.jpg
    37.7 KB · Views: 119
Last edited:
I've created a 3D-printed bayonet-mount plate for the plastic nozzles so they can be removed for flight with a quick twist. File is up on YouMagine. Pictured below.

There's also a nose bulkhead with a hole and plug, for easily adjusting nose weight with BBs.

Hope someone finds this useful.

carousel_NozzlePlateMounted.jpg
 
Many thanks to all for sharing details of this build, especially the types of glue. I just got both Little Joes with my SV1969 kit and will probably tackle the Little Joes first.

I had a question about this part in the display stand/tower, was not sure from the pictures what this "fishbone" in the middle here is for:

Screen Shot 2019-02-03 at 11.44.51 AM.png
 
Many thanks to all for sharing details of this build, especially the types of glue. I just got both Little Joes with my SV1969 kit and will probably tackle the Little Joes first.

I had a question about this part in the display stand/tower, was not sure from the pictures what this "fishbone" in the middle here is for:

View attachment 373597
Those are the cross pieces that tie the two sides of the tower together...you have to cut them apart
 

Attachments

  • 20190203_202516.jpg
    20190203_202516.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 154
Thanks, seems like they were not drawn in that CAD image, but the photo clearly shows them. I see where they go now.
 
James, I saw you posted the pdf file on FB, are you going to post it here? I assume the pdf file is full scale, but for double check can you post a couple dimensions?

EDIT: Follow up...is there any way you can post this file as a DXF file? I have a friend with a laser cutter, and the pdf you posted isn't playing nice with his software. You mentioned an Illustrator file on FB...what is the raw format?

If you can get someone to laser cut I would love to buy set.
 
If you can get someone to laser cut I would love to buy set.
PM me with your email address, I talked to my friend at work and is going to look into what he might charge for cutting these. He added some tweaks like "tab and slot" for the cross pieces. He is going to test some other materials as the luan plywood he used for mine charred pretty badly and some of the center plys fell out. This added some more filling work to finish the edges, but the thing fits together really well...you almost don't need any glue! Once he gets things worked out, I can forward your email to him and let you all work out details ;) He is pretty busy at his day job and has some other things going on, so I don't imagine he would be building a bunch of these in production...
 

Attachments

  • DSC_7937.JPG
    DSC_7937.JPG
    160.2 KB · Views: 160
  • DSC_7943.JPG
    DSC_7943.JPG
    89.8 KB · Views: 156
LJ2.jpg P1100621.JPG P1100622.JPG
1. Thank you to all the people who have posted to this thread. I have read and re-read it so much that the print would be fading were I to have printed it; the build tips, lessons-learned, and insights have been invaluable. It has been a rather time and detail-intensive rocket, but I wanted to get it right. (No, the RCS nozzles haven't been glued on yet).
2. I initially thought this was a dumpy little rocket and didn't understand all the fuss over it. Now that I've learned its history, I see that it is a nifty Apollo test bed. I was given the kit last year and have been trying to get it (and my Saturn V) finished in time for commemorative launches this summer. Youtube video of the launch with the accidental live test was something to see, and I love that Estes includes the history lesson in the kit.
3. I did not use any regular plastic cement; I used either epoxy or CA.
4. I wound up using the Estes waterslide decals for the tower itself and the CM. I know that the American flags shouldn't be there, but I really like how they look, so I applied them. The only people who will know are those on this forum and a handful of other rocket geeks...
5. I printed out George's wrap for the SM. The print shop didn't have any glossy legal size, so I had them print it on legal paper, then copied it onto semi-glossy tabloid size and IMHO it came out quite well.
6. I kept getting some ripples using the double-sided tape, so I used the 3M 77 to apply the wrap. I did a test application on another cardboard tube and it laid down nicely. So naturally, when I did the real thing on the rocket, I wound up with a couple of small ripples/air bubbles. Like a Christmas tree, I'll keep that side toward the wall...
7. For the "United States" decal, I first soaked it in warm water per usual procedure, then put it in a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar for about 30 seconds before applying. I cut the point off of a toothpick and used that as a stylus for making the decal set down in the grooves. That worked great for making the decal lie down in the corrugation.
8. I tried the gloss black under silver trick, fortunately on a test scrap of vacu-plastic. Even though both paints were the same Rust-Oleum brand, the silver wrinkled up horribly. So I went back to my usual process of cleaning the parts, wiping down with rubbing alcohol and painting.
9. I used the Titanium Silver Metallic Rust-Oleum Universal and painted it directly onto the rocket. The Universal comes in the cans with the funky shaped spray heads; it seems to be of better quality Rust-Oleum than the regular and I've had very good success with it, especially the metallics.
10. To apply the wrap, I masked off a 1/8" strip all the way around the edge, plus a 1/4" wide strip on the fuselage where the wrap ends come together. I used the 3M 77 on the wrap, then pulled off the tape while the adhesive was flashing. I applied the wrap to the rocket and then used a toothpick to put CA all around the masked off areas. I put a few rubber bands around everything and let it set up for an hour. That all went quite well, IMHO. I did cut a strip of thin posterboard to put around the forward circumference of the wrap.

Photos are attached. This'll probably be a one-and-done rocket where it'll get one launch and then be retired to the display shelf.

Again, thanks for all the info on how to build this properly.
 
First, thanks a million to all for all the excellent tips.

Second, thanks to George Gassaway for the wraps. Just printing them now, after finding a local printer who can do color on legal on glossy paper.

You've all made this project much more fun.
 
IMG_0463.jpg Underway. I have printed the wraps, and will get them on shortly.

i've never tried painting black before silver, but will give that a go.
 
And here's the final version. Wraps went on REALLY nicely, IMO. Estes should pay George G. , and include them in all future kits.

LJ2.jpg
 
Outstanding work on these! I'm nearing the home stretch on my Saturn V, so the Little Joe may be my next project. Concerning the LJ2 wood stand, is an offer to print and sell still open? It looks nice!
 
Outstanding work on these! I'm nearing the home stretch on my Saturn V, so the Little Joe may be my next project. Concerning the LJ2 wood stand, is an offer to print and sell still open? It looks nice!

Seconded! As a new member to the forum, this thread and the insights/information contained in it are outstanding.

I would also be interested in the LJII wooden stand if someone is able to print and sell.

-Mike
 
Back
Top