James Duffy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,446
- Reaction score
- 1,733
A couple of years ago Matt Steele of North Coast Rocketry sent me a review copy of his LaserHawk kit. I've been remiss in getting this one to the top of the build pile, but it has finally bubbled to the surface. To begin with, here's a quick in-box review of the kit I whipped up not long after receiving the kit:
[video=youtube;r4qE2S_kuCo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4qE2S_kuCo[/video]
In reviewing the parts and instructions it is clear that finishing will be greatly simplified if we paint as we go along. For instance, the main airframe is constructed from three sections of tubing which correspond to the lower white section, the middle red section, and the white upper payload section. Also, masking and painting the side boosters would be a bit of a pain if we were to attach them first. So, we'll be departing from Matt's suggested build sequence a couple of times.
Our first step will be to shape and sand the fins. My trusty twenty-year-old Black & Decker Mouse sander will be pressed into service for this step. The leading and trailing edges will be rounded off, while the tip surface will be squared off. The plate surfaces are then sanded.
More later,
James
[video=youtube;r4qE2S_kuCo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4qE2S_kuCo[/video]
In reviewing the parts and instructions it is clear that finishing will be greatly simplified if we paint as we go along. For instance, the main airframe is constructed from three sections of tubing which correspond to the lower white section, the middle red section, and the white upper payload section. Also, masking and painting the side boosters would be a bit of a pain if we were to attach them first. So, we'll be departing from Matt's suggested build sequence a couple of times.
Our first step will be to shape and sand the fins. My trusty twenty-year-old Black & Decker Mouse sander will be pressed into service for this step. The leading and trailing edges will be rounded off, while the tip surface will be squared off. The plate surfaces are then sanded.
More later,
James