Vagabond build complete! Pics added!

See the last post on this page for pics of the completed rocket.

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Just got my Estes Vagabond and V2 kits from Hobbylinc! Decided to start with the Vagabond since it's the quicker build and I want to take my time with the V2.

Started off by inventorying the parts:


Fin assembly came next:


A bit of a fiddly process but nothing too bad. Worst part is sanding off the burn to get a good gluing surface without changing the angles.

After the fins were all assembled and set aside to dry the motor mount assembly was...well, assembled:


Parts fit here was actually the best I've encountered in any of my builds. Good fit makes for easy assembly. Replacement shock cord materials in the background, will be added when the motor mount is installed.

Mounted the first fin on the lower body tube so I'm taking a break while it dries. More pics later!

This is a very fun build. I enjoyed doing mine very much. Fyi use your ruler to continue the line for the fin alignment. It will make the alignment process cake. Are you going to paint it stock or custom?

Still debating paint schemes. Kinda leaning towards the stock orange/white, but haven't made up my mind just yet. If I want to do rattle can I'm limited to red, white and black - budget won't allow for any additions right now. If I want to break out my airbrush there are a ton more choices, including the stock scheme. All depends on whether I want to go with gloss or flat, enamels or acrylics. I have several cigar boxes full of each from my plastic modeling addic...err, obsess...errrrrr....

Tarasdad said:

Just got my Estes Vagabond and V2 kits from Hobbylinc! Decided to start with the Vagabond since it's the quicker build and I want to take my time with the V2.

Started off by inventorying the parts:

Fin assembly came next:

A bit of a fiddly process but nothing too bad. Worst part is sanding off the burn to get a good gluing surface without changing the angles.

After the fins were all assembled and set aside to dry the motor mount assembly was...well, assembled:

Parts fit here was actually the best I've encountered in any of my builds. Good fit makes for easy assembly. Replacement shock cord materials in the background, will be added when the motor mount is installed.

Mounted the first fin on the lower body tube so I'm taking a break while it dries. More pics later!

Click to expand...

I went with a zipperless design,used the shorter tube for the top and used 3 half moon discs for a baffle in the coupler.Worked out great.I also used 550lb. paracord fro the shockcord.Yours is looking great so far.Fun build and a great flier.

I just got my Vagabond last week and haven't started my build yet. Will be following closely. How does your coupler fit? I found that is going to need a lot of sanding to make work.

Coupler fit just fine after I cleaned up the end of the body tubes to remove the edge on the inside. Nice and snug, lined the tubes up perfectly. As for the shock cord I'm using 750lb Kevlar and 1/4" flat elastic. I thought about going zipperless but decided against it. Maybe the next Vagabond I build.

Finally got all the fins mounted:


Not the easiest batch of fins to mount for some reason. Gave me more trouble than any of my other builds so far. Maybe the length?

Body tubes coupled, MMT installed and launch lugs on:


Shock cord is Kevlar tied to the MMT and run up at the outer edge of the front CR stopping just inside the end of the BT then a 2.5x BT length section of elastic. Would have been 3x but there wasn't that much left. Heh.

Probably going to stop there for the night. Need to use my CWF (good stuff, not the Max) to fill BT spirals and fins, also still need to put fin fillets on with Molding and Trim glue. Nosecone needs a bit of work to smooth out. After that it may sit until I can afford to get some primer. Ah, well, gives me time to work on a color scheme if I decide not to go stock.

Yeah the fins on mine were interesting as well... they gave me some flack but in the end i got it... its looking real good so far

I think this is one model that would really benefit from TTW fins. Would make them MUCH easier to mount.

I tottaly agree. However mine just werent aligning properly.

I only had trouble with one of the small triangular pieces not wanting to line up right. A few swipes with 150 grit sandpaper fixed that. The difficulty I had was getting them lined up on the BT and not shifting when I tried to apply a bit of pressure to seat them. Had to reapply one three times before it stayed where I wanted it. I was about to pullout my medium CA and use that for attaching them! Can't figure out what was up with these, used the same double glue technique I used on my other builds. Ah, well, they're glued on solidly now and awaiting fillets.

Thats what i meant by aligning... i thought i had mine straight and let it sit over night to dry... came back in the morning and the fin shifted... i was puzzeld... so i cut it off the tube and re glued it... came back later same thing... so i cut it off again and this time it went on and stated

Looks great!I had trouble lining up my fins also and did wind up using CA.Made mine zipper less with a baffle and payload bay.I also think this is one of the best fitting kits I've built in a while.I love the nc and that red coupler.My next flight may be with a E18 reload..maybeKeep us updated on color scheme and flight report

Not a lot of progress to report tonight. My RC club meeting was tonight and as a member of the BoD I had to be there. I did get the nose cone done - washed it in warm water and dish soap to remove any mould release, sanded the seams, filled he low spots with medium CA and sanded the whole thing smooth. Also coated the fins with thinned CWF. Going to let that dry overnight before I try to fill the BT grooves and join seam. I'd like to have it ready to fly this weekend if I can. It would be a naked flight since I'm out of primer.

Fins and body tube spirals filled, just need to let it dry so I can sand (yay):


Nose cone is ready for primer:


Had to fill a few spots on the seams but nothing too bad. Medium CA did the trick.

Looking good bud... still planning on flying naked?

Nah, too much chance of sunburn. No paint on the rocket is a possibility though.

Tarasdad said:

Nah, too much chance of sunburn. No paint on the rocket is a possibility though.

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If you are really committed to the idea though, sunscreen helps. Personally, I would go with the clothes.

BTW, the Vagabond is looking good. It was my first BAR build and it is a VERY nice flyer. I should pick up a couple more.

I. Hate. Sanding. :bang:

Tarasdad said:

I. Hate. Sanding. :bang:

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it hates you too... you are rubbing it wrong

FINALLY got all the sanding done!

BT:


And fins:


SO glad that's over. Now it's ready for primer when I can finally get some. May fly it this Saturday, may wait for paint. If all else fails I should be able to lay down a decent white coat with Walmart rattle can stuff. Not my preferred choice but I may have to do that since It'll be at least 2-3 weeks before I can think about buying primer. Maybe longer - found out yesterday that the tires on our car are in rough shape due to the dry desert heat and need to be replaced. Where THAT money is coming from is a mystery.

Fin fillets are on and curing. A little sanding and bubble filling once they're dry and that should be that. Weight is 145 grams with recovery, no motor or paint. Still debating the color scheme.

My wife picked up a can of Krylon Pumpkin Orange for me while she was out. Since I have black I've decided to use those as my colors. Here are the two schemes I've narrowed it down to:

#1


#2


I will be using the kit decals as well. Which do you think is best?

Perhaps #2 with one orange fin?

I like #2 better. The orange fin idea is a great one. I've also been thinking of making my next Vag have two-tone fins, carrying the line from the front fin piece through the back... so, if applied to your color scheme, either only the "outer" 85% of the fins would be black, and the rest of the bird orange (except nose cone) or it would look just like #2 but the outer 85% of the fins would be orange.

You've done a nice job so far; can't wait to see your finished result.

With the trouble I'm having with my black paint it may end up with body and fins orange. Went out to put the color coats on a little bit ago. Krylon orange went over the Walmart white base coat just fine, smooth as silk, looks fantastic. But the instant the Walmart black hit the Walmart white base on the nose cone instant mayhem. The white lifted, bubbled, bled and crazed like mad - but only in spots. I ended up stripping the nosecone to bare plastic and cleaning it really well then reshooting the back. Went down okay this time, at least on the bare pastic. Makes me hesitant to overcoat the tail though. I'll give it a week or two then test a spot to see if it causes problems. As it is I think the rocket looks great all orange except for a black nose cone. I'll try to get pics tomorrow.

Marc_G said:

I like #2 better. The orange fin idea is a great one. I've also been thinking of making my next Vag have two-tone fins, carrying the line from the front fin piece through the back... so, if applied to your color scheme, either only the "outer" 85% of the fins would be black, and the rest of the bird orange (except nose cone) or it would look just like #2 but the outer 85% of the fins would be orange.

You've done a nice job so far; can't wait to see your finished result.

Click to expand...

I've been chuckling - Keep in mind the letter "g" has more than one pronounciation...

chadrog said:

I've been chuckling - Keep in mind the letter "g" has more than one pronounciation...

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:roll:

That never occurred to me. I must be losing my nasty streak as I age! :grin:

chadrog said:

I've been chuckling - Keep in mind the letter "g" has more than one pronounciation...

Click to expand...

I was trying REALLY hard not to bring that up... lol

Paint is completed! Now I just need to get the decals on. I am not going to risk another disaster with the clear I have. I'll post pics tomorrow, just too dang tired to deal with it right now.

She's done! Put the decals on today and she's ready to go!

Vagabond



As the photos show two fins are black with the other orange with a black root. Really pleased with how the paint turned out!