Transition Mold Progress:
Unfortunately everything doesn't always go exactly to plan. The bond between surfaces of the plug (balsa:lacquer primer:enamel paint: lots of wax) was lesser than the Rocketpoxy gelcoat of the mold. The result was a significant portion of the painfully smoothed surface of the balsa plug was left behind on the new mold halves. This took quite a bit of time to carefully remove the paint/primer/balsa without damaging the surface of the mold.
Frustrating, a setback, but we shall persevere.
Lots of slow chipping away made for lots of paint bits and shrapnel!
After the chipping was complete, some final trimming, light sanding, and even filling was required. The part's surface is only as good as the mold's surface, which is only as good as the plug's surface...etc.
After the filler dry, I went
Totally Naked in order to preserve my patience and sanity. We're finally ready for some progressive 400-600-800.....2000 grit sanding on the areas touched up, followed by 3M Finesse-It.
10 coats of mold release were added and subtracted. Wax on....wax off Mr. Miyagi. Did that yesterday. Layed up the first part tonight....the prototype if you will. We'll see how it turns out in a day or three!
Top Gun: what's old is new again!
In the meantime, the one balsa transition I have is finally free for use. It transitions the Top Gun that has been in progress in the background for some time. Unfortunately that smooth transition is now pretty ragged and awaits further rounds of filling, sanding, priming, and repeating. Though I have a fresh kit (minus a transition) waiting in a box, I love a good revitalization project; this thing is truly a collection of parts and pieces with storied past.
From top to bottom:
-5.5" nosecone from retired rocket friend Al Casper. Will strip it down and give it some new color
-1" long blue ring: 5.5" cardboard from a shortened rocket flown aplenty.
-7" long 5.5" carbon fiber tube: not sure what this was used for, but got this many years back from Dr. Frank Kosdon....miss you Frank!
-Balsa transition: served as the plug for the mold. Due to the stripping of paint mentioned above, needs a beauty makeover!
-10" long 7.5" Loc tube: this one actually came with the kit...something new for a change!
-Primered 7.5" tube. The booster mentioned next needed a new top. Glassed it as an anti-zipper measure.
-Orange/white/black original Top Gun booster. From friend and fellow old rocket nut Nik Byra, Nik GENEROUSLY gifted this to me after he decided to build a new booster for this particular bird. Needs a little TLC, and I'm willing to give it. A gem in the rough....have been making tweaks and repairs inside and out in order to bring her back to flight readiness. Thanks so much, Nik!!!! Closer to ready for more air time!
Final paint scheme will be a bit of a play on the traditional catalog scheme....though I do honestly like the orange and black. Anything beyond primer may have to wait until spring however, as we just got several inches of snow....winter in Wisconsin has begun!
Until next time...
-Eric-
