Ariane 3 Build scale 1/57.54

[Raptor 2]

Will be attempting to build this model using Niels paper models wraps as a guide for construction. The bottom end presents some construction difficulties with four flared and flatten cones on the side with protruding fins. I’ve constructed the cones from 110 lb cardstock. The fins are made of balsa with side runners on each side and extensions coming off the front and back end of the exposed fins. These extensions and side runners will help in providing support for the flattened look of the cones. The base plate/centring ring is inset into the bottom of the main BT-80 tube and is not glued in place yet. Fins were glued in place with carpenters glue and once dry the cones were placed over the fins through openings cut to size for the fins. The cones were then glued inplace to the fin balsa extensions and the back folded side tabs on the cardstock cones using canopy glue. The fins were then papered with label paper and coated again with CA glue and sanded smooth. The base plate is removable at this stage for construction of the motor mount.

 

[Raptor 2]

In checking the Niels plans for detailing I discovered that I had made a error in interpreting the construction of the fins. The fins I made were to small! How to fix? Fortunately the fins were installed at the proper distance from the bottom of the flared cone and I only had to add to the top side of each fin. Thought about adding a section of balsa but how to glue to the top of the sanded top edge of the papered fin. Strength and finish would not be great. Finally drew up a AutoCAD plan for a 110lb cardstock paper wrap to the proper size to cover the existing fin and provide the required extension to the top end of the fin. Reinforced the leading edge with an extra strip of cardstock and coated the wrap with CA. Applied a very light layer of RC canopy glue to the existing fins and placed the pre-folded replacement wrap over the existing fins lining up the bottoms. Once this cured I sanded the surface and filleted the fins with canopy glue. Also carved out balsa cones to finish the top end of each cone.

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed the engine mount using 24mm thickwalled tube. And secured to the main frame BT-80 with centering ring epoxyed at the thrust ring location. Base plate centering ring was secured using epoxy. Then constructed more parts for the rest of the rocket. Applied 4 layers of orange cardstock to the BT-60 tube to increase the diameter from 41.58mm to 45mm. This was done using 3M double sided tape. Still thinking about adding an ejection baffle inside the BT-60 tube.

 

[Raptor 2]

Glued the coupler in the 1st stage with CA and then glued the top portion of the 1st stage to the coupler using canopy glue which doesn't grab as quickly as wood glue. Wrapped the stage in a paper wrap and spray painted the the lower fin/cone fairings white. Decided to go with an ejection baffle so added it to the CAD drawings and constructed the same . Will need to cut the 2nd stage BT-60 tube to insert the baffle which will also act as a coupler. I've positioned the baffle/coupler in the transition location between the 1st and 2nd stage. Interior of the baffle is coated in CA the lower blast disk is supported by an extra interior ring to seat on and then an extra wood popsicle cross brace inside the baffle. Lower disk is also coated in CA glue and then two layers of wood glue are applied.
Constructed the nose cone bulkhead c/w screw eye and plywood backer in the centering ring. Constructed the 1st to 2nd stage transition and the 3rd stage to nose cone transition from 110 cardstock and glued a second layer in sections to the interior of the cones for extra strength using RC canopy glue.

 

[Raptor 2]

The upper portion of the 1st stage was glued to the coupler using RC canopy glue which doesn’t grab as quickly as wood glue. The first stage was masked and the fins and fairings were spray painted white. They were then masked off and the lower portion of the fairings were spray painted silver. The PLF was glued to the BT-60 tube with the BT-20 running thru the Upper transition placed for final fitting.

 

[Cape Byron]

Stunning build!

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed the nose cone in two sections from cardstock. The lower section was double layered by applying the second layer in pieces and glueing in place with a thin layer of canopy glue. Centering rings were also glued in place with canopy glue along with the top end 25mm wood sphere. All the cardstock then coated with CA. The shoulder support for the nose cone transition was installed in the top of the BT- 70 PLF. All parts were then glued together with canopy glue. Will now fill the joints with wood filler sand smooth and spray paint.

 

[Raptor 2]

Applied wood filler, sanded and spray painted the nose cone two coats white and two coats silver. Installed the lower end of the BT-60 tube inside the top end of the first stage with epoxy glue on two centering rings and a larger spacer tube at the bottom. Glued the ejection baffle / coupler to the top end of of the BT-60 tube with RC canopy glue. Placed the shoulder ring in the top end of the BT-80 first stage and test fit the transition over the shoulder and seated the ring to the proper ht. Removed the transition and glued the shoulder ring in place with CA. Applied CAD drawn cardstock wraps to the first stage with doubled sided 3M tape.

 

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Gorgeous craftsmanship on this model, especially the cardmodeling techniques on the cone shapes. Also it's easy to see why the early Arianes were popular among many international scale competitors a ways back.

 

[Raptor 2]

Second/third stage BT-60 tube inserted over the top end of the ejection baffle/coupler using 30 minute epoxy. The lower transition was glued on using RC canopy glue and all the wraps were printed on 28lb paper and applied with 3M double sided tape. Color wrap for the first stage logos still has to be applied but the main body is now complete except for the detailing and the addition of two side boosters all yet to be constructed.

 

[Raptor 2]

Color wrap installed on first stage. Installed cable raceways and conduits on all three stages using wood and plastic dowels and shaped balsa strips. Have constructed other details from balsa sanded to shape and painted white and silver. Constructed the two PAP boosters using BT-20 and cardstock detailing for the bottom end flare and nozzle. Nose cone constructed again from cardstock and a plastic bead. All glued using canopy glue for the parts. The booster wraps are applied using double sided tape.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed the construction of the PAP boosters and used 20x3 mm basswood strips to connect to the main frame using epoxy. Glued all the exterior details to the main frame using canopy glue. Still have to add the four main frame engine bells and looking at constructing the PAP booster connecting details which are quite complicated. Will have to come up with a way to build these so they look somewhat like the real thing.

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed the engine bells from 28lb paper secured them to the bottom end with epoxy glue. Inserted a cardboard disc approx 1/8” inside the bell to provide some structural strength to the bells for landing impact.
Added the parachute mount to the top end. The model stands 33 7/8” tall (962mm), weighs in at 10.135oz (287.3 gm) including a 22” parachute. Will fly on D and E engines. Still have to check stability and add nose wt. as required. Will fly this spring.