Part 2 of 2 for today’s log (pics only) 
VINTAGE ESTES SPACE SHUTTLE #1284 Build Log
- Thread starter JoeFilgas
- Start date
Help Support The Rocketry Forum:
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2013
- Messages
- 22,537
- Reaction score
- 14,953
I like how you marked wait until painted for gluing the parts together. However, I would suggest applying a strip of, say, one eighth inch wide masking tape over the joining surfaces before you paint it.
I have the newer version, and have built one in the past. Can't wait to put together the one I've got when I get some time. Definitely some lessons (faintly) remembered... To be applied in the next build. Keep up the great work!
(PART 1 of 3 for today) The Estes Vintage #1284 Space Shuttle Flying Rocket build: today I started by building the elevons to control the Shuttles gliding descent. I used the remaining small dowel, cut to length and cut out the elevons from the punch card. First the control horn was glued over the center of the dowel. Then each elevon was glued to the dowel in position making sure to align them at 90 degrees to the horn and all in line with each other. Then the control string and elastic cord was tied to the control horn. I went ahead and added a thick CA fillet to the elevon attachment point on both sides and a little kicker. Next it was on to gluing the vertical stabilizer halves together, taped and set aside. Then the OHMS pods were cleaned up and drilled to accept the small thruster nozzles. Those were then glued into the OHMS pods. Next the 3 main thrusters were sanded and cleaned up and set aside. The 3 cardboard nozzle rings were cut out, sanded and set aside. The thruster location pattern was then cut out, placed on the rear bulkhead and the circle locations marked. The cardboard rings were then glued to the rear bulkhead in their circle marked locations. The three main nozzles were then glued into their respective rings. A small slot was then cut to allow the vertical stabilizer to be fitted and glued in. I carefully held and adjusted this fin during the drying process to keep it true. Next the OHMS pods were glued into position next to the vertical stab. Finally I drilled a 3/16” hole through the rear bulkhead down the center of the top main nozzle. The last task for today was gluing in the cardboard forward bulkhead and setting aside to dry.
Attachments
-
IMG_0503.jpeg -
IMG_0504.jpeg -
IMG_0505.jpeg -
IMG_0506.jpeg -
IMG_0507.jpeg -
IMG_0508.jpeg -
IMG_0509.jpeg -
IMG_0510.jpeg -
IMG_0511.jpeg -
IMG_0512.jpeg -
IMG_0513.jpeg -
IMG_0514.jpeg -
IMG_0515.jpeg -
IMG_0516.jpeg -
IMG_0517.jpeg -
IMG_0518.jpeg -
IMG_0519.jpeg -
IMG_0520.jpeg -
IMG_0521.jpeg -
IMG_0522.jpeg -
IMG_0523.jpeg -
IMG_0524.jpeg -
IMG_0525.jpeg -
IMG_0526.jpeg -
IMG_0527.jpeg
Last edited:
(PART 2 of 3 for today)
Attachments
-
IMG_0528.jpeg -
IMG_0529.jpeg -
IMG_0530.jpeg -
IMG_0531.jpeg -
IMG_0532.jpeg -
IMG_0533.jpeg -
IMG_0534.jpeg -
IMG_0535.jpeg -
IMG_0536.jpeg -
IMG_0537.jpeg -
IMG_0538.jpeg -
IMG_0539.jpeg -
IMG_0540.jpeg -
IMG_0541.jpeg -
IMG_0542.jpeg -
IMG_0543.jpeg -
IMG_0544.jpeg -
IMG_0545.jpeg -
IMG_0546.jpeg -
IMG_0547.jpeg -
IMG_0548.jpeg -
IMG_0549.jpeg -
IMG_0550.jpeg -
IMG_0551.jpeg -
IMG_0552.jpeg
mh9162013
Well-Known Member
You're not gonna fly this thing when you're done building it, are you?
Attachments
mh9162013
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a great plan!Probably not. It’s going to become a part of my NASA collection.
Nice job on this build and nice NASA collection. Watching your build makes me want to build mine 
Thanks! It’s been a fun build so far!Nice job on this build and nice NASA collection. Watching your build makes me want to build mine
(Part 1 of 2 for today) The vintage Estes #1284 Space Shuttle Flying Rocket build log: today it was back to finish the Orbitor portion of the build. I first drilled the 1/32” hole in the dimple on the front of the fuselage and then pulled the elastic knot of the elevon control through threading it inside the middle of the forward bulkhead. Once in place I used some thick CA glue and a touch of kicker to lock the elastic in place within the dimple. Then the bottom piece of the Orbitor had the launch lugs installed. I used thick CA and kicker to adhere all three. A light coat of yellow glue was coated over the exposed area of all three lugs as called for in the instructions. Next the bottom portion was carefully matched to the main portion of the Orbiter and temporarily taped. The nose cone was then cleaned up and sanded. The kit’s lead weight was added temporarily to the nose. I followed the directions and used 1 and 1/4 discs to start. This was followed by some toilet paper to hold it in and the nose unit was then taped, again temporarily to the fuselage. To test the Orbiter’s balance a pencil mark was made where indicated and a piece of string was taped at that location. Lifting the Orbiter by the string, it was evident that it was a bit nose heavy so I reduced the weight by 1/8th and tried again. This time it was perfectly level. With the weight figured out they were permanently glued into the nose piece followed by some toilet paper just in case. When I tried to fit the nose piece to the fuselage the weight was hitting the bottom part of the insert preventing the nose piece from seating all the way. I had to cut away a little bit of the front fuselage area to make it work. Next it was onto permanently gluing the two pieces together. I started at the edge of the left wing and worked forward. The very back of the wing was done last. The same procedure was used on the right wing. The nose area was next followed by the rear of the fuselage. Once all the tape was removed I began sanding the main seam all the way around. I had to re-glue a few small areas that popped open at the glue joint during this process. Lastly, I taped the elevon in the neutral (even on both sides) position and sanded down each aileron to match the line of the wing tips. I did a little more sanding work on the fuselage before I called it a day. The rocket construction portion of the build is now complete. Next will be a little prep work on the whole model to get it ready for the first round of primer. Who knows when I’ll be able to shoot the primer as the weather here sucks right now.
Attachments
-
IMG_0557.jpeg -
IMG_0558.jpeg -
IMG_0559.jpeg -
IMG_0560.jpeg -
IMG_0561.jpeg -
IMG_0562.jpeg -
IMG_0563.jpeg -
IMG_0564.jpeg -
IMG_0565.jpeg -
IMG_0566.jpeg -
IMG_0567.jpeg -
IMG_0568.jpeg -
IMG_0569.jpeg -
IMG_0570.jpeg -
IMG_0571.jpeg -
IMG_0572.jpeg -
IMG_0573.jpeg -
IMG_0574.jpeg -
IMG_0575.jpeg -
IMG_0576.jpeg -
IMG_0577.jpeg -
IMG_0586.jpeg -
IMG_0587.jpeg -
IMG_0588.jpeg -
IMG_0589.jpeg
The vintage Estes #1284 Space Shuttle model rocket build log: today was all about filling and sanding to get all parts ready for primer the next time our lovely recent weather permits. I started by using 1/8” automotive pinstriping tape to mask off the glue location on both SRBs as well as both sides of the External Tank. Then I used auto body glazing putty on most parts where needed. Next, all parts were sanded down with 150/220 grit sandpaper paper. All parts are now ready for primer! 
Attachments
That for sharing - This is one master build that is not for the faint of heart.
Thanks and you’re most welcome! It definitely has a lot of of parts and that vacuum formed orbiter!
The vintage Estes #1284 Space Shuttle build log: today the weather was great (FINALLY) so this project got primered and the launch fins painted to their final color. Tomorrow’s weather looks great as well so all the base color coats will be going on. I went and picked up all the paint I needed as well. I did add a little more glazing putty on the nose area of the Orbiter and waiting a little while for that to dry then I’ll do a quick sand and re-primer of that area. Then later today I’ll wet sand the SRBs and the Orbiter. I’m leaving the External Tank rough in texture to mimic the foam coating which saves a ton of intricate sanding.
Attachments
JPalmer621
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2018
- Messages
- 153
- Reaction score
- 137
I know your decals are old not sure if they are still good. Here is a someone's scan copy. If you decide to use them practice print them to get the right size. I use clear labels, but you could use a other sources. Good luck.
My vintage # 1284 Estes Space Shuttle build log: yay the sun came out so I got the black bands painted on the boosters, the lighter orange on the External Tank and nosecone along with a re-do on the top of the Shuttle after a wet sanding. The boosters still need the off white shade above the first black ring and the shuttle needs all the dark colors to be applied. I wasn’t expecting a paint day, but I got everything done on this project that I possibly could. The boosters will require some minor touch up work as well.
Attachments
My vintage Estes #1284 Space Shuttle Flying Rocket kit build log: well today was another “good enough to paint” day so I decided how I would tackle the orbiter’s aft end. I decided to mask all but the three nozzles and shot them light grey. I’ll be painting the insides flat black in a couple of days. I also masked off the tops of both boosters and shot them with the off white. Once dry I did some touch up with the white. I still need to touch up with the black. After de-masking the orbiter I cleaned up a small amount of grey bleed through and then touched up with white. I had to do some light grey brushwork on the nozzles as well. Finally I hand brushed the dark grey on the two smaller nozzles. It’s getting there! The booster and external tank are all painted completely now.
Attachments
The vintage Estes Space Shuttle # 1284 build log: today the SRBs were permanently glued to the ET with wood glue and secured with yellow delicate surface frog tape then set aside to dry. Some more detail painting was done on the aft section of the orbiter.
Attachments
My vintage Estes Space Shuttle #1284 rocket build log: today I got the black painted on. After decals are applied and the newest paint is 30 days old I’ll be spraying the entire model, ET and SRBs with matte clear so all the shiny will be gone. I used my digital calipers to measure out and mark the front pattern. The shuttle paint scheme is actually very challenging and the smaller of a model you go the harder it will get. Masking alone took over 3 hours and de masking about an hour. It still needs some minor touch up in a few areas. While I was masking this morning it popped out of my hands and hit the floor! Dang! The fall snapped the right elevons at the wooden dowel. The break in the dowel couldn’t have been better in terms of the diagonal and gave much glue surface to repair. Then while working on the port side I notice the glue joint for most of the left wing had opened up. Well dammit! Easy fix and then it was back to masking. All that’s left, other than the black/white touch up, is painting the nose and the wing leading edges in light grey. Then it will be ready for decals and a month long vacation….for the rocket not me! 
Attachments
Similar threads
