SeanW78
Well-Known Member
I just bought 2Bought a FlightSketch Mini.
I just bought 2Bought a FlightSketch Mini.
Well I bought 3, so nanny-nanny-boo-boo. (I'm kidding; I didn't buy any.)I just bought 2Bought a FlightSketch Mini.
I'm working on an Estes U.S. Army PATRIOT. And I already screwed up and put the fins on the smaller tube, instead of on one of the longer ones. The shorter "yellow" tube was supposed to go on the other end, where the nosecone attached to it. It's really a no-brainer, as it doesn't matter which end it goes on, because the wall thickness is the same on all 3 tubes, which means the weight distribution will be the same. Not completely reading the instructions, I used the short tube for the motor mount and fins, and the coupler fit just fine attaching it to the center body tube. This was the same way I was supposed to assemble it with the Cherokee E rocket - using the short tube for the engine mount and fins. However, I NOW see that the Patriot instructions tell you to measure back 1 inch from the top of the "yellow" tube and paint that section red, and the rest of that short tube is to be painted yellow, not necessarily in that order (I always paint the lighter color first when doing two-tones). Well, since I'm not using the short tube for this paint scheme, now, I've got to do a little simple math for the longer tube to get the paints located in the right positions. Since the short tube is 3-1/4"L, I have to paint the top 3-1/4 inches of the longer tube yellow. Then wait for it to dry and use light tack tape to do the red stripe, there, after bagging the rest of the rocket to keep overspray off the white paint. PITA, I'll tell ya. This was supposed to be a simple 1-hour assembly, minus paint and glue dry time. I was supposed to paint the short tube separately, and then paint the other tubes already coupled, white. Then tape off one end of that tube and paint it red after the fins were attached. I painted the engine mount and inside the bottom of the body tube gloss black, btw. However, because of my mess-up, I've got to do two-tone taping for both ends of the rocket, now - all in one piece...LMBO. Oh, did I mention that I tried painting the body tube, and because it wasn't warm enough, my paint crackled all over and I had to sand it all down and prime and paint all over again??!!! ARGH!! Wow...coming from a true novice. When it's finished, I'll post pics. Until then, here's a few of the Cherokee E rocket I just finished, yesterday. The rocket looks green, however that's the fluorescent tubes playing havoc with my Cannon EOS, which I have yet to figure out to adjust the exposure or what not to show it's true dark blue hue. 'Hope you like the pics. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!! And Happy Flying. View attachment 399625 View attachment 399626 View attachment 399627
Um Ken, don't mean to bum you out or anything what with the nice paint job and all, but the fins on the Cherokee are upside down. Unless that was intentional the trailing edges are supposed to sweep up, not down.I'm working on an Estes U.S. Army PATRIOT. And I already screwed up and put the fins on the smaller tube, instead of on one of the longer ones. The shorter "yellow" tube was supposed to go on the other end, where the nosecone attached to it. It's really a no-brainer, as it doesn't matter which end it goes on, because the wall thickness is the same on all 3 tubes, which means the weight distribution will be the same. Not completely reading the instructions, I used the short tube for the motor mount and fins, and the coupler fit just fine attaching it to the center body tube. This was the same way I was supposed to assemble it with the Cherokee E rocket - using the short tube for the engine mount and fins. However, I NOW see that the Patriot instructions tell you to measure back 1 inch from the top of the "yellow" tube and paint that section red, and the rest of that short tube is to be painted yellow, not necessarily in that order (I always paint the lighter color first when doing two-tones). Well, since I'm not using the short tube for this paint scheme, now, I've got to do a little simple math for the longer tube to get the paints located in the right positions. Since the short tube is 3-1/4"L, I have to paint the top 3-1/4 inches of the longer tube yellow. Then wait for it to dry and use light tack tape to do the red stripe, there, after bagging the rest of the rocket to keep overspray off the white paint. PITA, I'll tell ya. This was supposed to be a simple 1-hour assembly, minus paint and glue dry time. I was supposed to paint the short tube separately, and then paint the other tubes already coupled, white. Then tape off one end of that tube and paint it red after the fins were attached. I painted the engine mount and inside the bottom of the body tube gloss black, btw. However, because of my mess-up, I've got to do two-tone taping for both ends of the rocket, now - all in one piece...LMBO. Oh, did I mention that I tried painting the body tube, and because it wasn't warm enough, my paint crackled all over and I had to sand it all down and prime and paint all over again??!!! ARGH!! Wow...coming from a true novice. When it's finished, I'll post pics. Until then, here's a few of the Cherokee E rocket I just finished, yesterday. The rocket looks green, however that's the fluorescent tubes playing havoc with my Cannon EOS, which I have yet to figure out to adjust the exposure or what not to show it's true dark blue hue. 'Hope you like the pics. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!! And Happy Flying. View attachment 399625 View attachment 399626 View attachment 399627
Um Ken, don't mean to bum you out or anything what with the nice paint job and all, but the fins on the Cherokee are upside down. Unless that was intentional the trailing edges are supposed to sweep up, not down.
The Cherokee is one of my 2 favorite rockets. I have done this in 3 different sizes.
It will be - eventually ;-)Kevin, is that a new MMR kit? Don't see it on your website.
Ken, as far as the Patriot goes, if you haven't glued the tubes together, make lemonade. Consider, if it's not too late, set up for an aft seperation
AKA zipperless design. Just a thought.
Reminds me of the Centuri Laser 244.Another morning just spacing out... This one is the Aeon Fusion and uses a transparent body tube. 66" long, 29mm mmt. Chute in the nosecone.
Reminds me of the Centuri Laser 244.
Dude, you have GOT to kit those creations.
John,
'Already glued the fins on the tube "B" which was supposed to go up top for the nosecone attachment. Then glued it to the other tubes, and then hit it with a light grey primer coat, sanding all imperfections. By the time I got done airbrushing the white over 3/4's of the body (minus the lower section, since it will be red), I realized after looking over the instructions again that I put the tubes on backwards. It seems that I've been doing that a lot, lately. lol If I hadn't had glued them, the aft separation would have sounded pretty cool.
Great deal on a cool rocket. I built one with my grandson Chase and we built it with a 29mm motor mount, long nylon shock cord, nylon chute and plywood fins. Flies great on G64's, G76's to 2K.Just put in my Black Friday order with Estes for a Expedition at $8.19. Can't wait for this cool build.
Started working on my US Rocket’s Swarm C6-7.
Just put in my Black Friday order with Estes for a Expedition at $8.19. Can't wait for this cool build.
Whatever. All rockets are fun to build.Expedition? so sorry, I read Executioner.
Enter your email address to join: