Estes Mercury Redstone #1921

[Deezil]

Haha! I think that exact same thing was mentioned by Flyfalcons. So basically, you have to adjust your masking tape higher in order to get the ring above the fins, correct? I noticed there was no info on decal placement.

He did, I forgot.
I just plan to get some black decal tape, and make the stripe, maybe cut one on my vinyl plotter. But 99% of people wont notice.

 

[JERRYR708]

Nice job on the fins. The #1921 instructions on the Estes web page show the old 2 piece airframe but I believe that the majority of construction steps are the same. Have they updated the instructions included with the kit Flyfalcons ? [edit] The picture in post #5 clearly shows that they are a new printing anyway.

https://www.estesrockets.com/media/instructions/001921_MERCURY_REDSTONE.pdf

BTW, unless the body tube spiral is very deep I'll wait on any filler until I get the first coat of primer on. Then it's easier for me to see and decide if filler is needed or primer only will do the job.

I like to prime first and then fill. When you sand the filler from the spirals, the primer gives your BT more protection from sanding abrasion. Also, the primer gives your BT a little water protection from the moist filler which sometimes causes the body tube to swell along the spiral ridges.

 

[Donaldsrockets]

Bought mine at HL earlier today only to notice my BT has a big flat spot and crease in the center. Of course I noticed this AFTER I bought the kit. I REALLY wish Estes would use boxes instead of bags for packaging kits of this size!!!:eyeroll:

It's kind of hard to build a rocket with a dented BT and even harder to try and get a halfway decent finish on one. This is not the first time I've encountered this issue.

I'll be in touch with Estes on Monday to try and get a replacement BT.

On the other hand, I did get the correct decals. Mine has the MR8 instead of the MR7 and the United States is a nice shade of red as well.

 

[Purkeypilot]

Bought mine at HL earlier today only to notice my BT has a big flat spot and crease in the center. Of course I noticed this AFTER I bought the kit. I REALLY wish Estes would use boxes instead of bags for packaging kits of this size!!!:eyeroll:

It's kind of hard to build a rocket with a dented BT and even harder to try and get a halfway decent finish on one. This is not the first time I've encountered this issue.

I'll be in touch with Estes on Monday to try and get a replacement BT.

On the other hand, I did get the correct decals. Mine has the MR8 instead of the MR7 and the United States is a nice shade of red as well.

Quite literally, the SAME thing just happened to me. The only difference being that my local HL did not have any is stock, so I ordered it on Amazon. I know that there is an inherent unknown with shipping, though the box was immaculate, it was bubble wrapped, and the bag was pristine. As soon as I opened it, I flipped the bag over and...the BT had a big flat spot on one end and a crease in the center, just like yours...

I am also going to contact Estes on Monday and see about getting a replacement BT sent out. It's easier than returning the whole thing to Amazon, and the rest of the kit is perfect. Good luck!

 

[JERRYR708]

Bought mine at HL earlier today only to notice my BT has a big flat spot and crease in the center. Of course I noticed this AFTER I bought the kit. I REALLY wish Estes would use boxes instead of bags for packaging kits of this size!!!:eyeroll:

It's kind of hard to build a rocket with a dented BT and even harder to try and get a halfway decent finish on one. This is not the first time I've encountered this issue.

I'll be in touch with Estes on Monday to try and get a replacement BT.

On the other hand, I did get the correct decals. Mine has the MR8 instead of the MR7 and the United States is a nice shade of red as well.

I bought 2 MR's on eBay and they both have the MR7 decals. The packaging is pristine on both and hate to open them, but would still like the correct decals. How would I go about Estes shipping me the correct ones.

 

[Donaldsrockets]

I bought 2 MR's on eBay and they both have the MR7 decals. The packaging is pristine on both and hate to open them, but would still like the correct decals. How would I go about Estes shipping me the correct ones.

I believe you can contact them through their website - https://www.estesrockets.com/contact-us

That is what I plan to do to get my damaged BT replaced.

 

[Flyfalcons]

Now that I know the decals have been corrected, I might have to get another one. The capsule is a real pain but this is a very striking rocket for the price.

 

[noffie79]

Now that I know the decals have been corrected, I might have to get another one. The capsule is a real pain but this is a very striking rocket for the price.

That's my plan as well. I'll get another one to have as a static display since the second time around should be easier and it'll look better. I'll fly this one instead.

 

[Deezil]

I was thinking along the same lines as well.

 

[BEC]

Ryan - are we going to see the Redstone at the Raceway in the morning?

 

[Flyfalcons]

Yep it'll be there. The plan was to maiden it there but nevertheless it'll be going for a flight. I'll be getting my maiden fix in with another new rocket and one that's 20 years old.

 

[Cookie the Dog's Owner]

Very nice model, and a lovely flight.

 

[Flyfalcons]

Flight number 2 was even better. Wow, I'm really liking this rocket. Even after landing on gravel, there was no damage at all.

[video=youtube;4IcTqk2adbw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IcTqk2adbw[/video]

 

[JERRYR708]

Flight number 2 was even better. Wow, I'm really liking this rocket. Even after landing on gravel, there was no damage at all.

[video=youtube;4IcTqk2adbw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IcTqk2adbw[/video]

Very nice launch! The gravel looked loose enough to cushion most of the fall.

 

[noffie79]

Flight number 2 was even better. Wow, I'm really liking this rocket. Even after landing on gravel, there was no damage at all.

[video=youtube;4IcTqk2adbw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IcTqk2adbw[/video]

That flight was absolutely perfect! I'm about half done with the build on my first one. Can't wait to fly it

 

[GlenP]

Getting ready to start painting, what do you recommend for the white & black, gloss or flat?

I am going to have to do the black portions of the capsule under the tower with a fine brush, I assembled it fully before realizing, too excited when the kit arrived, I was going to just read the instructions and planning it all out, but started gluing it up right away, feel like a kid again when I built the Centuri version some years ago.

I have one from the early batches with the lighter red/pinkish UNITED STATES, with the MR 7, I might just go ahead and build it with these.

 

[Flyfalcons]

I used gloss Rustoleum to help prevent decal silvering, then after decals I used a satin clear.

 

[Purkeypilot]

Perfect flight! Thanks for the video

 

[GlenP]

First coat of white, and then I realized I forgot the launch lugs. I guess I can sand down a spot to glue them on and add another coat.

 

[jjp161]

That's a beautiful rocket, well done. I'm picking one up soon myself. I built one of original Estes kits when I was first getting started and it was one of my favorites.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Donaldsrockets]

I used Krylon gloss white and black and then applied a coat of Krylon flat clear after the decals dried.

I also used Testor's gloss bright red for the tower assembly. I can't remember what the number for it is though.

I'm thinking the next time I get out to fly my RC helis, I might launch it as well. The area is big enough for A-C powered rockets. I might even bring my camera equipped Latrax Alias quad along to get some aerial launch vids.

 

[Barkley]

I'm starting my MR build, and noticed that there was room for either a 24mm mount or a 4x18mm cluster. Has anyone done that? Does anyone have an OR file for it?

 

[GregGleason]

If I had mine to do over again, I would have gone with a 24mm mount. The 18mm mount is marginal for BP motors in my build (I had a TON of nose weight), which is why I flew it with an 18mm AT RMS. I guess I shouldn't complain, it got me into AP motors.

Greg

 

[Barkley]

If I had mine to do over again, I would have gone with a 24mm mount. The 18mm mount is marginal for BP motors in my build (I had a TON of nose weight), which is why I flew it with an 18mm AT RMS. I guess I shouldn't complain, it got me into AP motors.

Greg

When you say a ton, how much exactly do you mean? If I go with a 4x18mm cluster, that's a lot of weight at the bottom.

 

[slipkid757]

I built the 1921 Redstone with the 24mm mount using a standard Estes D and E Engine Mount Kit. I added approximately 3-4 Estes Clay weights to the Mercury Capsule using the weight difference between a D motor and a C. I also hung it from a string with the two different motors to double check. The rocket performs great!

[video=youtube;Jwaw-3a95fQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwaw-3a95fQ[/video]

 

[mattitude]

I hit up the local Hobby Lobby this afternoon and picked up the last kit they had on display. It was marked at 23.00 but with the 40% off coupon on the HL app brought it down to 13.80 + tax. I tell you what, their mobile app coupon is insane and I'll go to HL JUST to pick up a new kit or a pack of engines as that deal can't be beat. I do have a couple of kits to build ahead of this one but I do hope to get to it in a month or so.

 

[brewster_rockit]

Just got my Mercury-Redstone kit and I've started building the capsule. I will probably modify the motor mount for 24mm motors.

Since this version of the venerable Estes Mercury-Redstone only comes with one parachute, I have to ask if anybody's had problems safely recovering the capsule. i'm concerned about recontact between the capsule and the booster during descent. I will probably build it similar to previous versions which had a 18" chute on the booster and a 12" chute on the capsule unless anybody can vouch for the current setup.

I do find it odd that the last two issues of the Mercury Redstone were for Liberty Bell 7, since the included capsule is the porthole version used for Freedom 7!

 

[Vethen]

First coat of white, and then I realized I forgot the launch lugs. I guess I can sand down a spot to glue them on and add another coat.
View attachment 271685

You mean, you purposely decided to glue them on after painting, so during lift-off they'd separate and produce less drag all planned!

 

[Rex R]

a word of note; the old Centuri version(which is what Estes has re-issued, mostly) had the motor extending out past the aft end of the motor tube by only 1/4" (Estes has changed this to 1/2"). Estes also eliminated the ejection baffle.
Rex

 

[mattitude]

I was finally able to get a fairly calm day today and launch some rockets, my new Redstone included. I only used a C6-3 as when I got to the field there were some random gusts and I didn't want to chance having my rocket either land on the top of the school building or end up in a tree across the street somewhere. I did swap out the Estes 'chute for a larger mylar 'chute that came in an AIM-9 kit that I'm doing a scale build with. The mylar 'chute is a real floater and worked beautifully.

[video=youtube;Z5EK2HK_krA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5EK2HK_krA[/video]

[video=youtube;LHiPkh8Ultk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHiPkh8Ultk[/video]