iter
HPR Glider Driver
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2012
- Messages
- 2,144
- Reaction score
- 73
This is my ~2.5x upscale of the classic Estes kit, Astron Invader.
Plans of the original are available from JimZ's site: https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-19.pdf
Mine uses foamboard as main construction material and has R/C with elevon control. Foamboard (the kind with paper on each side) is a new material for me and aside from how heavy it is, is a pleasant surprise in sturdiness. I use a single piece of 20"x30" red-and-yellow for this build. Foamboard comes in many colors. I use polyurethane glue on all joints, and all joints and all surfaces hold through some wild flights (description below). I do notice some delamination around the edges. I wrap masking tape around sharper corners to prevent further delamination.
An unusual feature in this model (a departure from original plans) is using ACME conformal rail guides on the bottom of fuselage. This lets me have the top of the model facing the flightline and me. This is an advantageous camera angle, and makes it easier for me to keep orientation of the plane as it flies away from me.
First flight was past Saturday at the LUNAR launch at Moffett.
Ari.
Plans of the original are available from JimZ's site: https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-19.pdf
Mine uses foamboard as main construction material and has R/C with elevon control. Foamboard (the kind with paper on each side) is a new material for me and aside from how heavy it is, is a pleasant surprise in sturdiness. I use a single piece of 20"x30" red-and-yellow for this build. Foamboard comes in many colors. I use polyurethane glue on all joints, and all joints and all surfaces hold through some wild flights (description below). I do notice some delamination around the edges. I wrap masking tape around sharper corners to prevent further delamination.
An unusual feature in this model (a departure from original plans) is using ACME conformal rail guides on the bottom of fuselage. This lets me have the top of the model facing the flightline and me. This is an advantageous camera angle, and makes it easier for me to keep orientation of the plane as it flies away from me.
First flight was past Saturday at the LUNAR launch at Moffett.
Ari.