3rd Rocket build - the Level 3 Lynx. A smaller rocket than my other two (Photon Probe and Crossbow SST), but had some more intricate fin work as well as the addition of the side "intakes" made from templated BT-5 tubes. There are also tiny vanes to be added to the motor mount. Working on skills to do the Mercury Redstone and Saturn V.
Anyway, to start - here is what it is to look like:
Here are the parts that come with it. Couple of items of note - the grain on the balsa is very deep and the BT-5 tubes to be used for the air intakes were a bit crushed at the ends.
Fins cut out and glued together. You can see the little vanes and launch lug stand-off in the plastic bag.
Fins, vanes, nosecone, motor mount end, and tubes filled, primed and sanded. Note, as I mentioned the balsa had very deep grain - it took several sealings to smooth these out.
Vanes added to motor mount.
Air intakes cut from the BT-5 tube. Shaped, sanded, and the edges firmed up a bit with some CA. Gotta tell you, cutting these out of the thin walled tube (and then having to shape/sand) really sucked. The outside kept wanting to de-laminate at the seams. Had to secure with CA as well.
Added the guns (or probes, or whatever they are supposed to be). Sanded the wing ones flat where they are fused with the wing (and then sealed the gaps) so the decals can go over them properly.
Back wings, rudder/strake added.
Side/Vertical and front fins added. Also added the air intakes.
Anyway, to start - here is what it is to look like:
Here are the parts that come with it. Couple of items of note - the grain on the balsa is very deep and the BT-5 tubes to be used for the air intakes were a bit crushed at the ends.
Fins cut out and glued together. You can see the little vanes and launch lug stand-off in the plastic bag.
Fins, vanes, nosecone, motor mount end, and tubes filled, primed and sanded. Note, as I mentioned the balsa had very deep grain - it took several sealings to smooth these out.
Vanes added to motor mount.
Air intakes cut from the BT-5 tube. Shaped, sanded, and the edges firmed up a bit with some CA. Gotta tell you, cutting these out of the thin walled tube (and then having to shape/sand) really sucked. The outside kept wanting to de-laminate at the seams. Had to secure with CA as well.
Added the guns (or probes, or whatever they are supposed to be). Sanded the wing ones flat where they are fused with the wing (and then sealed the gaps) so the decals can go over them properly.
Back wings, rudder/strake added.
Side/Vertical and front fins added. Also added the air intakes.