SNARKY by Dyna Star (Apogee Components) Build Log

[JoeFilgas]

Love the Snarky kit. After my first one was lost to a tree, I got another and this time made it in silver, just to do something a little different. A friend set up his go-pro and got one of my favorite rocket pictures of Snarky lifting off.
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Man nice job on that and what an awesome launch picture! Thank you for sharing!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Dry enough to handle now so had to get some fully assembled SNARKY Flying Tigers pics!

 

[Mugs914]

Beautiful build Joe! Great build thread as well!

Thanks for sharing...

Mike

 

[JoeFilgas]

Beautiful build Joe! Great build thread as well!

Thanks for sharing...

Mike

Thanks so much Mike and you’re most welcome!

 

[dpower]

Looking good! What’s the final weight?

 

[JoeFilgas]

Looking good! What’s the final weight?

Thank you! Kit specs say 6.3 ounces. We shall see!

 

[JoeFilgas]

The SNARKY FLYING TIGERS rocket build moved forward today with the Maui Blue paint representing the “bottom” of the rocket if it were flying level. First I used a toilet paper inside cardboard roll placed over the tip of the nosecone until it would not go any further. When I was happy with that being level and centered I taped it to the nosecone and then with a fine point sharpie pen I marked the line all the way around which will represent the future red paint line. It also served as the baseline for the coming Maui Blue paint. It took me a little over 2 hours to mask this off. I used 1/4” automotive vinyl pinstriping tape to line everything off, followed by yellow low tack Frog Tape, paper, plastic bags and blue painters tape. I also painted the engine retainer with Regal Red. The tip of the nose and some other fin tip markings will use the same red. After drying for a few hours I carefully removed all the masking and very carefully cleaned up the common paint lines with a new Exacto blade, cotton swabs, paper towels and mineral spirits. The low tack tape did leave some residue on the existing paint so I cleaned that up with some rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. This now has to sit for a week for this round of paint to dry enough to move on with the dark green camo pattern over the sand color. A week after that I can apply the final red paint. Weather looks like it is degrading so this may take awhile to finish. I was going back and forth whether to use a grey paint for the “bottom” or this blue which I already have plenty of. The blue won out what can I say?

 

[JoeFilgas]

There was a very small, but good enough weather window today that I was able to take advantage of and got the rest of the red applied to the SNARKY Flying Tigers rocket! If all goes well I should be able to shoot the green camo on Saturday thus completing the paint work. I’ve got some touch up work to do on the tan, but some of that will get covered by the green. Then a few days later I can get all the vinyl decals on. When the green paint has at least a month curing time I’ll coat the entire rocket in a matte clear.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Well after 4 hours of masking the SNARKY FLYING TIGERS rocket, for the last time, the dark Hunter Green camo pattern paint was applied on Saturday! I still have some minor touch up paint work to do and some wet sanding on the blue prior to the clear coat. I’ll be applying the decals in the next few days. I’m pretty happy with the way it all turned out!

 

[Mugs914]

Lookin' great Joe!!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Lookin' great Joe!!

Thank you sir! Decals coming soon!

 

[billpr]

One smooth looking rocket. Fine build. Looks great.

 

[JoeFilgas]

One smooth looking rocket. Fine build. Looks great.

Thank you sir!

 

[JoeFilgas]

The Snarky Flying Tiger’s rocket “QUINT’S REVENGE” is now basically complete. The last of the decals went on today. I want to thank my Bride, Lorrena Filgas, for making, remaking and then re-making some again especially the name on the nose! In about a month I will be shooting a matte clear coat to even everything out and darken up the printed decals. Of course all the gloss will go. I need to do some very minor touch up paint tomorrow with a brush. Once the clear coat has been applied then I’ll finish the recovery system and add nose weight if required.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Today was such a sunny and warm day I was able to also shoot the matte clear coat over my Flying Tigers themed Snarky rocket. The underlying colors of paint had been curing for the past 30 days in a controlled environment. The matte clear really deepened all the decals and I’m really happy with the end result. I still need to balance, add weight and install the laundry.

 

[Cape Byron]

Gorgeous.