Estes Viking #1949 Build

[El Phantasmo]

Here's my Estes Viking build. I chose to go with the 5 fin configuration shown on the packaging, because I like the way it looks. It's pretty much stock, but I plan on painting everything except the text "Viking Explorer." I'm waiting on paint and a kevlar shock cord. Tirebond II wood glue works really well for adhering the fiber fins to the body tube, which I scored first, because it sets up so quick. I put on all the fins in about 2 hours without any fancy setup.

The parts shot is missing the shock cord, streamer and launch lug; my fault, not Estes.

[SURESHOT]

Nice, I was going to pick up the viking last time I went to the hobby shop.But I walked out with a high flyer insted.

[azgreg]

Nice, I was going to pick up the viking last time I went to the hobby shop.But I walked out with a high flyer insted.

I was going to pick up a High Flyer, but picked up a Comet Chaser instead.

[foamy]

Found a Viking (Black Diamond) kit in my attic. It's what got me back into rockets. I built it with four fins and used the regular rubber band/folded paper mount and some crepe "Happy Birthday" paper for the streamer. It's the first rocket up when I launch (wind/weather rocket). Tough little bird. Flys fine. You'll enjoy it.

[gpoehlein]

I love the Viking - there is so much you can do with it! In addition to the various fin configurations, you can convert it into the Vector-V:

http://www.spacemodeling.org/JimZ/kb-2.htm

with Estes conversion from the file attached to this post.

Something else you can do is with your paint scheme. The Viking was also used as the Cub Scout rocket Akela-1 back in the seventies and eighties. Excelsior has the decals available here (scroll down to the Akela 1 decals):

http://towrowrow.tripod.com/excelsiorrocketry/id28.html

If you want to print your own, you can download them here:

http://www.oldrocketplans.com/decals/akela-1.jpg

Likewise, the original Estes Viking decals are available either for download:

http://www.oldrocketplans.com/decals/Estes_Viking.jpg

or from Excelsior (scroll down to Viking):

http://towrowrow.tripod.com/excelsiorrocketry/id1.html

Hope this gives some additional inspiration (and makes you want to pickup a half dozen more Vikings! )

[plastic_gorilla]

Ok, I am feeling a little senile here - i seem to remember building a viking years back (mid/late 80s) and feel like it ran on 13mm engines... Am I crazy? (yes is an acceptable answer) I just remember it being a pain because it is hard to eyeball 5 fins - especially to a 10yr old.

Anywho - the design takes me back!

[El Phantasmo]

Just waiting on some Kevlar for the shock cord. All graphics are painted, except the text "Viking Explorer." The colors are all Montana Gold spray paint, Yellow Submarine, Shock Green and Lime. It's clear coated with Future and Simple Green mix. Hope to fly it soon!

[Spacepirate R]

Nice job!

I am still pondering about replacing the lost fin on mine. I'll need to lengthen the shock cord also to keep the weird fin loss from happening again.

[vigilante]

Great Job!! Was the text waterslide decals? If so does the future/simple green mixture mess with them at all?

[El Phantasmo]

Great Job!! Was the text waterslide decals? If so does the future/simple green mixture mess with them at all?

No, they're all peel n' stick. I used Future on my Photon Disruptor, which has water slide decals, without ill effect.

Rocketry Forum Estes Photon Disruptor Gallery

[vigilante]

Good. You answered 2 questions in one! By the way that Photon Disruptor looks fantastic!!

[sooner.boomer]

Found a Viking (Black Diamond) kit in my attic. It's what got me back into rockets. I built it with four fins and used the regular rubber band/folded paper mount and some crepe "Happy Birthday" paper for the streamer. It's the first rocket up when I launch (wind/weather rocket). Tough little bird. Flys fine. You'll enjoy it.

This is the first kit I bought when I got back into hobby rocketry again as well, about 12-13 years ago. I was kind of put off by the cardboard fins. I don't remember how many fins, or the orientation. I remember using it as an experiment in base drag. I got a paper funnel for oil from the local 7-11 and glued it over the fins. Worked pretty well until the nosecone got stuck and it did a core sample.

[sooner.boomer]

Just waiting on some Kevlar for the shock cord. All graphics are painted, except the text "Viking Explorer." The colors are all Montana Gold spray paint, Yellow Submarine, Shock Green and Lime. It's clear coated with Future and Simple Green mix. Hope to fly it soon!

Sweet looking rocket! Sometimes you hate to fly them.