Looking For Ideas For A Millitary Scheme for my Ventris...

[Hooked On Rockets]

This is the like the first large rocket I started on when I got my first shipment of rockets from Estes...

It was 4 rockets that I ordered....The Ventris, the Argent, the Partizon and the Solar Warrior...like forever ago.....

ANYWAY...does anyone have any tips for making up "serial numbers" and "nuclear warning signs" in a military fashion to a "nuclear device" (NOTICE QUOTIAN MARKS) that has never been invented yet...

I've done many net searches but haven't really "found" what I was looking for...I don't understand what the numbers mean...

I found the standard "Radio-Active" warning signs which I will incorporate...
But its the military numbering that I'm looking for.

Here's what I'm working with...



The green part is the "nuclear payload"....
Any advice would be much appreciated....

THANKS!!!

 

[dhbarr]

I would look at Honest John and Davy Crockett, then go from there.

 

[solid_fuel]

Check out stickershock23.com and see if you get inspiration. Mark can then print what you want and/or cut the vinyl.

 

[Mugs914]

+100 for Stickershock23.com.

Mark has several "stock" sets that can be scaled to just about any size and color you need. In particular, look at the sets for the Nike Ajax and Honest John missiles. They both feature some very cool stenciling that is probably the kind of thing you are looking for.

This is the Nike Ajax set:



And this is from the Honest John set:

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

I would look at Honest John and Davy Crockett, then go from there.

Hey Thanks!!!!
I have been googling but haven't found much detail on the lettering...but I did just find this:

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/4-30-13/appf.htm

Check out stickershock23.com and see if you get inspiration. Mark can then print what you want and/or cut the vinyl.

stickershock is awesome and I always admire the quality of work Mark produces!
I'm pretty small time and was thinking of something to cut on my cricut....
Thanks!!!!

+100 for Stickershock23.com.

This is the Nike Ajax set:

View attachment 394493

And this is from the Honest John set:

View attachment 394494

WOW...those are NICE ROCKETS!!!
And THOSE are the ideas I'm looking for!!!
I can do something using that!
THANKS!!!!

What did you use for the metal/silver/chrome(?) sections???....that's really cool!!!
Did you post a build thread???

Nice rockets and thanks again!!!

 

[Mugs914]

Thanks Hooked! I like the phony scale look myself. In fact most of my rockets end up looking like a sounding rocket or test round of some kind (Usually with some kind of back story to go with the look). If you are interested, there is a sort-of paint log I did on my LOC Forte here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/loc-forte-paint-job.152963/

The metal bits are done with aluminum tape. You can get it at the hardware or auto parts stores. There are also several hobby specific brands of adhesive metal tape that come in sheets. Bare Metal Foil is one, Flight Foil is another, if I'm remembering that name correctly. They are both good products, but for rockets I just use the commonly available tape.

The stuff at the hardware store is typically used for air duct work and comes in different widths. The auto parts store tape is used for bodywork "repair" (don't get me started...). It is a bit thicker than kitchen type foil and has a paper backing that is peeled off to expose the adhesive. If you look around you will find that it often has different looks, meaning that some are shiny, some have a dull aluminum look and some an almost brushed look. I keep several rolls on hand for different looks. You can also sand it with very fine sandpaper (1500 grit or so) to get a "turned" or brushed look. The front of the Nike thing has had this done in one place.

Another thing that is fun to do with the metal tape is to use a piece of small metal tubing to emboss screws or rivets into it. It adds a bit of texture to things and something to catch the eye. The Forte thread has some better pics of that kind of thing.

Thanks again for the kind words! Just holler if you have any questions...

Oh, and be sure to show us what you come up with!

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Here's what I've come up with so far..as far as finding fonts....


Made this up off the top of my head...
After seeing ya'lls sugestions....still working on that....

Planning to cut it on the Cricut when I get it figured out, but realized that with a 2" BT and a larger "warhead",
I don't have much room to keep the letters visible and still keep things in proportion...
and still looking for the "right" military "language"...

Thanks Again!!!

 

[Nytrunner]

I like using the stencil type font, but using the Actual stats of the rocket as the numbers

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

I like using the stencil type font, but using the Actual stats of the rocket as the numbers

Completely understood.....

But...this is an Estes Ventris..... the "actual stats of the Ventris"......kinda boring, plus the fact that I didn't "paint scheme" it as the original Ventris...

If I put Ventris stats....again BORING...and completely out of character with my paint job and against the WHOLE POINT of this thread that I posted.

This one is converted to a "nuclear" warhead carrying rocket....so, there are no prior "rocket stats" for a nuclear Ventris...

Geeze...some take things too serious by reading too much into something that is not said....
Others take too little about something that is important into something that is not read....
LOL

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

I like using the stencil type font, but using the Actual stats of the rocket as the numbers

It's not letting me open the pics but what I can see...looks GOOD!!!
As usual for the work I've seen you do posting here....

Kudos!!!!

 

[Nytrunner]

Not saying you should do that, just sharing what I do. I like the the military styling description of my cardboard tube (exmaple vv)

Geeze...some take things too serious by reading too much into something that is not said....
Others take too little about something that is important into something that is not read....
LOL

I honestly have no idea where this came from

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Not saying you should do that, just sharing what I do. I like the the military styling description of my cardboard tube (exmaple vv)

I honestly have no idea where this came from

Meant nothing personal bro to you or anyone in particular...just doing the opposite of the "Golden Rule"...
Why do we/I do that???? IDK....for me I guess it's just from my past experiences from the old chat rooms....
Dog eat Dog....
I have to remind myself that TRF is NOT a chat room.....
Never cared for chat rooms....

ANYWAY!!!
That pic looks NICE!! But...
None of your pics enlarge when I click on them....
But they still look good!!!

 

[Mugs914]

Here's what I've come up with so far..as far as finding fonts....

View attachment 395558
Made this up off the top of my head...
After seeing ya'lls sugestions....still working on that....

Planning to cut it on the Cricut when I get it figured out, but realized that with a 2" BT and a larger "warhead",
I don't have much room to keep the letters visible and still keep things in proportion...
and still looking for the "right" military "language"...

Thanks Again!!!

The font looks great!

As for the right military language, the real stuff is covered largely in alpa-numeric gibberish that made sense to the guy who made it up, made sense to those who approved it, makes sense to the paper pushers, and conforms to the regs.

The beauty of pseudo-scale is that it can be whatever YOU want it to be! I just finished a fraud-scale target drone type paint job and used some of the decals from an Army truck model for a lot of the small stencils that tend to cover such things. Of course, I avoided using the ones that said things about tire pressure and towing capacity, but in reality I doubt anyone would have noticed anyway...

Just for some reference material, this is the stenciling on a later model Nike Herc booster. Pretty typical military info:


This is Mark's Honest John set. Very well done, has both motor and warhead stencils.


Have at it! Just be sure to share some pics!

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

The font looks great!

As for the right military language, the real stuff is covered largely in alpa-numeric gibberish that made sense to the guy who made it up, made sense to those who approved it, makes sense to the paper pushers, and conforms to the regs. [/QUOTE]

HMMMMM, Just what I thought!!!! LOL

[/QUOTE]The beauty of pseudo-scale is that it can be whatever YOU want it to be!
Have at it! Just be sure to share some pics![/QUOTE]

10-4!!!
Will do!!!

Well that quote attempt didn't work...but I got it!
LOL

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Thanks all for the advice and pics!!!!
Turns out I detoured myself with this paint job twice, I started wanting to do camouflage, that's the color I started with and never finished.
Was still looking for ideas and was just barely discovering TRF. Camo was discouraged because it could make finding the rocket more difficult.
LIGHTBULB!!!!!

Looked on the net for pictures and was inspired by this:


2nd detour was not referring back to this pic when I ACTUALLY PAINTED the "nuclear payload".
Looked up the pic again and I was like.."What was I thinking when I painted this???"

it WAS to "busy"...

Still not sure if this is a real rocket/missile but I like the looks....anyway...

So...paint scheme "adjustment" before I add lettering.

Scuffed it,
Marked my upper line for masking...



Masked it off...



Added Grey....



Much better! Less "busy"

Still have to do the sustainer/pusher/fire-out-the-butter-part (LOL), but I'm seeing some vinyl cutting coming soon!!!

 

[neil_w]

View attachment 395558

Just curious, why the lower case "i"s?

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Just curious, why the lower case "i"s?

I asked the same question...it's actually that font, they have no uppercase "I".
"I" will correct that before I cut vinyl...LOL
I don't get it either....

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Thanks Hooked! I like the phony scale look myself. In fact most of my rockets end up looking like a sounding rocket or test round of some kind (Usually with some kind of back story to go with the look). If you are interested, there is a sort-of paint log I did on my LOC Forte here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/loc-forte-paint-job.152963/

The metal bits are done with aluminum tape. You can get it at the hardware or auto parts stores. There are also several hobby specific brands of adhesive metal tape that come in sheets. Bare Metal Foil is one, Flight Foil is another, if I'm remembering that name correctly. They are both good products, but for rockets I just use the commonly available tape.

The stuff at the hardware store is typically used for air duct work and comes in different widths. The auto parts store tape is used for bodywork "repair" (don't get me started...). It is a bit thicker than kitchen type foil and has a paper backing that is peeled off to expose the adhesive. If you look around you will find that it often has different looks, meaning that some are shiny, some have a dull aluminum look and some an almost brushed look. I keep several rolls on hand for different looks. You can also sand it with very fine sandpaper (1500 grit or so) to get a "turned" or brushed look. The front of the Nike thing has had this done in one place.

Another thing that is fun to do with the metal tape is to use a piece of small metal tubing to emboss screws or rivets into it. It adds a bit of texture to things and something to catch the eye. The Forte thread has some better pics of that kind of thing.

Thanks again for the kind words! Just holler if you have any questions...

Oh, and be sure to show us what you come up with!

I have both of those type tapes, it just never occurred to me to use it on a rocket...
BRILLIANT!!!
I bought some of the thin film stuff for static car models a couple decades ago..still around here somewhere....maybe..LOL
Had to buy some of the aluminum ACTUAL duct tape to repair an A/C duct.....
...never occurred to me for a rocket!!!
KUDOS!!!

Nice job on that link BTW!!!!

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

I went on a sideways inspiration for the bottom end of the re-paint, but I cut and placed a tiny bit of vinyl....

More later....

 

[Mushtang]

Geeze...some take things too serious by reading too much into something that is not said....
Others take too little about something that is important into something that is not read....
LOL

You realize people here are trying to help you, right?

Keep in mind that no matter what you actually put on the rocket, whether it's stats of an actual nuclear missile that exists somewhere, stats of a made up nuclear missile that could exist in theory, the actual stats of your rocket that you're flying (like Nytrunner enjoys doing), or the lyrics to a song by The Firm in a military font... unless people are within a few feet of your rocket they won't read it. There's a good chance about 5 people other than you will read the information on the rocket so make it say whatever you'll enjoy and hopefully realize there's no reason to fuss at someone here just because they felt like sharing what they enjoy doing.

 

[solid_fuel]

Which The Firm song?

 

[neil_w]

Which The Firm song?

Presumably we're going with "Radioactive"?

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Got the rest of the gray on and some olive stripes, turns out the BT size is too small to make much of the letters that I was hoping to put on cutting vinyl.......just too small.

So, I made an @$$ of myself (again) over something that won't work after all....
So @ Mushtang, My apologies if I've caused a gill-flitter somehow with you.
We are all here to share and learn and exchange ideas and experiences,
I just get so annoyed at so many members here that constantly feel like they have to be a "Mother Bee" to EVERYBODY about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING....

GEEZE, I'm just waiting for someone to create a thread titled "Remember To Wipe Your Bum When Your Done"
And that attitude just makes me wanna do the same..and that's WRONG OF ME!!!

But I have digressed...

Anyway,

I have no place to fly so all I can do is build right now and look at the faults of my own builds, I don't really care if no one notices how good or bad it looks from 750+ feet away...I have to look at them every day from mere inches, I see my flaws and mistakes....I see how little time I have to work on them, I see how much I have left to do to get them finished...and I see how far behind the times I am in "rattle cans".
(Different Tangent)...Will take that up later...

So thanks again for all the help from TRF!!! You guys and girls are awesome for even being here and sharing your experiences and knowledge!!!!

Anyways,
I'm picking at my Ventris a little at a time...and getting there...
On a different tangent.....

 

[neil_w]

Looks pretty good from here...

 

[Bruiser]

So let me tell ya, I'll think something looks great then I take a picture and I see all the little flaws.

I don't see any little flaws in your pictures so I'm thinking it must look even better in person.

Great job on the build and paint!

Bob

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Thanks Again to ALL who have helped me along my way!!!
Much appreciated!!!!

Here's an update and some pics along the way that I kinda forgot to add...
Here's the latest....and she has a NAME!!!
Still work left to do, but getting there!




Here's some of the pics I left out, the radio active vinyl I cut for the payload...



The masking for the stripes on the main body tube.....

Didn't have to mask the fins to paint the stripes, easy enough to hit the stripe area without overspray on the fins using my paint "rotisserie ".
The green stripes are Dupli-Color Self Etching primer, same as the payload color.

Here's my first look after adding the three stripes...Not too bad so far!

I had some issues with the paint solvent soaking through the masking paper (I used printer paper cut to size as seen in photo above).
Not a big deal because all my colors are primer so I can spray a little more primer on the defects and fill/sand back to surface grade!

Now to the name.
This thread here https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/post-your-best-rocket-name.155834/
piqued my interest so I had to come up with something, turns out that this small diameter body tube is too small to cut the military letters I wanted to originally make out of vinyl. A quick test cut made a jumbled mess out of vinyl...C'est La Vie....
Cut and added this this morning...Oh too, I use Oracal vinyl for my stickers, "Cricut" brand vinyl I wouldn't use for anything that you would consider "critical"...my daughter gave me some Cricut vinyl and it just seems flimsy and I wouldn't use that on anything...JMHO..


So there it is, the Red Headed Step-Child!!


Still a work in progress.....


Thanks Again!!!

 

[Hooked On Rockets]

Looks pretty good from here...

So let me tell ya, I'll think something looks great then I take a picture and I see all the little flaws.

I don't see any little flaws in your pictures so I'm thinking it must look even better in person.

Great job on the build and paint!

Bob

Thank you BOTH!!!

There are plenty of flaws, their just hiding until I put my clear coat on! LOL