Estes Antar unboxing and build plan video...

[James Duffy]

Here's a quick video I whipped up which provides a quick look at the parts contained in the new Antar kit from Estes, and also provides a few suggestions for build and paint strategies.



Enjoy,
James

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

After looking at Chris' building blog, is anyone else gonna go through the extreme measures for painting the vertical fins like he did? I'm almost to that step and I already followed the installation instructions. I'll probably brush paint the green edge but it won't look like the box model.

 

[Scott_650]

After looking at Chris' building blog, is anyone else gonna go through the extreme measures for painting the vertical fins like he did? I'm almost to that step and I already followed the installation instructions. I'll probably brush paint the green edge but it won't look like the box model.

I’m torn when it comes to painting mine - I think I should’ve bought two kits to begin with so I can build a flyer with a different (simpler) color scheme and a “hanger queen” with the original scheme. I do need to order motors from AC Supply so maybe I’ll include that second ANTAR.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

I find it ironic and kinda cruel that the best way to paint the rocket is to not assemble it per the instructions. Perhaps Stickershock could come up with an easier fin wrap...

 

[neil_w]

It looks beautiful but that is really a torturous paint scheme. I wonder what percentage of builders will follow it down to the last detail, and of those I wonder how many will really execute it properly.

Some Shrox designs also include some very challenging masks.

To me, this is a misstep on the part of the designers, since (as far as I can tell from this forum) doing very fiddly masks like this isn't really an appealing task for most builders, but also a lot of builders (myself included, usually) like to recreate the facecard paint scheme. Nowadays I try very deliberately to let decals do all the heavy lifting with regard to complex paint schemes, and keep the paint masking as simple as possible.

 

[BSNW]

It looks beautiful but that is really a torturous paint scheme. I wonder what percentage of builders will follow it down to the last detail, and of those I wonder how many will really execute it properly.

Some Shrox designs also include some very challenging masks.

To me, this is a misstep on the part of the designers, since (as far as I can tell from this forum) doing very fiddly masks like this isn't really an appealing task for most builders, but also a lot of builders (myself included, usually) like to recreate the facecard paint scheme. Nowadays I try very deliberately to let decals do all the heavy lifting with regard to complex paint schemes, and keep the paint masking as simple as possible.

Hey Neil...

WELL said. I feel the same way. I LIKE to try and match the face card, but as soon as it becomes "not fun" (after trying my best to improve). I go the best and most "fun" way. Don't forget the inverse relationship between time spent on finish and paint and the time it takes to scratch, dent, chip, or any other demise to a beautiful paint/finish job.

Andrew

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

I wonder how hard it would be to create a fin edge decal including the horizontal fin? Perhaps I’ll working on it which will guarantee that someone will do it better than me by the time I’m finished.

I’m using Rusto emerald green instead of forest green.

 

[Scott_650]

I wonder how hard it would be to create a fin edge decal including the horizontal fin? Perhaps I’ll working on it which will guarantee that someone will do it better than me by the time I’m finished.

I’m using Rusto emerald green instead of forest green.

That’s what Chris Michielssen did http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

That’s what Chris Michielssen did http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/

That's the Chris I tried to reference above. The part I'm talking about is where he places tape over where the vertical fin will be glued, so the green "bolt" can be painted through the vertical fin. I of course followed the directions and glued the tab into the horizontal wing. Instead of taping over the white, I could use a custom decal that fits over the vertical fin. Or maybe I'll just brush paint the "bolt"...