4" Nike smoke build.

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With it hard to find one I decided to have a go at building my own. I used a pinicale nose cone and made a Simi scale one. This is only a plug for the mold. I know. alot of work for one nose cone but I will always have a mold for 4" tubes. I used a pinicale fiberglass cone to start with and I can remove all the bondo after I'm done. There is alot of tape under the bondo for easy removal. This will most likely be a slow build as I have beveled fins to build as well. I'm going with a 38mm motor mount and have a 29mm adapter for those motors.

 

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Made some more progress today by making motor mount rings and fitment. I decided to make the fin can removable so I will have access to the harness attachment if necessary. So far I think I have the fin size correct with the template. On to making fins now.

 

[crossfire]

Very nice

 

[cwbullet]

What are the fins made of?

 

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What are the fins made of?

I have 1/8 ply for the main shape of the fins. Then I will add balsa to shape the fins to make them look scale like. Then I will glass both sides for strength. Hope that helps.

 

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One fin complete. I think it looks good. When I get all of them done I will sand on them so they all match.

 

[sharkbait]

One fin complete. I think it looks good. When I get all of them done I will sand on them so they all match.

You will be beaming with pride when this one is done, it is very satisfying to make your own parts and build a bird like this, I hope you don’t have to ever suffer the extreme sorrow and depression when you lose or crash one like this though. I scratch built my fins for a 2.6”, 4”, 5.5”, 8” and 10” Nike Smoke very similar to what you are doing (yes I live Smokes) but never tried to do a cone, good luck and post pictures when she’s done

 

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You will be beaming with pride when this one is done, it is very satisfying to make your own parts and build a bird like this, I hope you don’t have to ever suffer the extreme sorrow and depression when you lose or crash one like this though. I scratch built my fins for a 2.6”, 4”, 5.5”, 8” and 10” Nike Smoke very similar to what you are doing (yes I live Smokes) but never tried to do a cone, good luck and post pictures when she’s done

Thank you

You will be beaming with pride when this one is done, it is very satisfying to make your own parts and build a bird like this, I hope you don’t have to ever suffer the extreme sorrow and depression when you lose or crash one like this though. I scratch built my fins for a 2.6”, 4”, 5.5”, 8” and 10” Nike Smoke very similar to what you are doing (yes I live Smokes) but never tried to do a cone, good luck and post pictures when she’s done

Thank you. I'm a scratch builder from way back. I lost the booster end to my Talon 4 1/2 all glass and carbon fiber bird. I t was a big dishartnig feeling knowing it's not far away and I can't find it. I only had a tracker in the upper payload part of the rocket. But it's part of the hobby. Now I use two trackers so if it separates I will be able to find both sections. My Talon in Blue and red.

 

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Was able to get back to doing more work on this project. Got the first primer layer on the nose cone plug and ready for the final layer. Sanded all the fins to shape and set into the fin can. Still a ways to go on it.

 

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Starting the tip to tip laments with some surf board cloth I use for various projects. It's 32oz per yard works great for fins.

 

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Nose cone plug ready for tooling Gel.

 

[Hobie1dog]

 

[tim cubbedge]

As always, beautiful work!

 

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One side of the mold done. Give it a over night and full day to cure. Then trim the mold and remove the the balsa wood and aluminum tape then start the other half.

 

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Finished with the nose cone mold. Now I can move on to a actual part for the rocket.

 

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Got parts finally. I'll pop these out in a couple hours.

 

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Parts pulled from the mold. Sanding for fitment. Then move on to the laminating stage.

 

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Letting the primer bake so I can maybe start some painting to.

 

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Just need to finish the fin can and get some 1" lettering and will call this one done.

 

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Done. One of my club members is making the decals for it. Ready to fly this weekend if all weather is good.