Well I finally completely my Bat Ray build. The reason I say finally is because I had received this as gift from my girlfriend last Christmas, so how nice it was to finish it almost one year ago to the date. I can't wait to show it to her!! IDK - you guys know how it is. A lot of projects on the work bench and distractions with scratch builds...well I followed through and got it done. I had fun building this kit. All the parts that came with the kit are of high quality and they fit great. 
The kit was pretty easy to finish. I used Duplicolor primer and paint. I also wet sanded the primer before laying down the paint. I got some "fisheyes" in the finish, but went back and wet sanded them out and reapplied one more coat making a few passes. I'm actually pretty happy with the results. I wasn't really trying to get a perfect finish, but wanted it to look decent. I pretty much told myself, if it isn't a scaled model rocket (Like a Saturn V) then I'm not going to be too concerned. I'm sure it will take it's fair share of dings and scratches over the many future flights to come. Another thing I did differently is that I painted the fins first (Gloss Gray) one at a time before painting the body (Gloss Black). Not sure why I did it that way, but work out fine.
The nose cone is balsa and I used Aerogloss Balsa Filler Primer followed by a few applications of their sanding sealer and of course sanding between coats. This is my first time painting a balsa nose cone so I pretty much just played it by the book. Maybe on the next build I'll use the CA method to harden the nose cone first.
Also I drilled (3) 1/8" holes in the airframe just below the nose cone shoulder so I can use my Jolly Logic 2 Altimeter so I can record the flight data. Let's hope I get get it back.
I would highly recommend this kit to anyone.:headbang: I did make some changes to the kit. I got rid of the stock two piece shock cord of nylon and Kevlar and replaced it with some #300 Kevlar (one piece). I also replaced the 18" parachute with a 20" Fruity Chutes (TARC) Thanks Gene!! I'm also going to use a Fruity Chutes Nomex blanket, not pictured. Recovery hardware will consist of a 1/8" quick link and a 600lb barrel swivel. Engine retention is Aeropack and I will be using the Rouse Tech hardware to fly this "BAT"!!
I have another MADCOW (Scooter) that I hope to start soon. I'm also going to be working on my G-Force for my Level 1. Maybe I'll do a build thread on them? Not sure yet?
Hope you guys enjoy the pictures.
The kit was pretty easy to finish. I used Duplicolor primer and paint. I also wet sanded the primer before laying down the paint. I got some "fisheyes" in the finish, but went back and wet sanded them out and reapplied one more coat making a few passes. I'm actually pretty happy with the results. I wasn't really trying to get a perfect finish, but wanted it to look decent. I pretty much told myself, if it isn't a scaled model rocket (Like a Saturn V) then I'm not going to be too concerned. I'm sure it will take it's fair share of dings and scratches over the many future flights to come. Another thing I did differently is that I painted the fins first (Gloss Gray) one at a time before painting the body (Gloss Black). Not sure why I did it that way, but work out fine.The nose cone is balsa and I used Aerogloss Balsa Filler Primer followed by a few applications of their sanding sealer and of course sanding between coats. This is my first time painting a balsa nose cone so I pretty much just played it by the book. Maybe on the next build I'll use the CA method to harden the nose cone first.
Also I drilled (3) 1/8" holes in the airframe just below the nose cone shoulder so I can use my Jolly Logic 2 Altimeter so I can record the flight data. Let's hope I get get it back.
I would highly recommend this kit to anyone.:headbang: I did make some changes to the kit. I got rid of the stock two piece shock cord of nylon and Kevlar and replaced it with some #300 Kevlar (one piece). I also replaced the 18" parachute with a 20" Fruity Chutes (TARC) Thanks Gene!! I'm also going to use a Fruity Chutes Nomex blanket, not pictured. Recovery hardware will consist of a 1/8" quick link and a 600lb barrel swivel. Engine retention is Aeropack and I will be using the Rouse Tech hardware to fly this "BAT"!!
I have another MADCOW (Scooter) that I hope to start soon. I'm also going to be working on my G-Force for my Level 1. Maybe I'll do a build thread on them? Not sure yet?
Hope you guys enjoy the pictures.
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