Alien Interceptor photos - post yours too!

[GrouchoDuke]

I'm calling it done! I've been very slow working on my Alien Intercept 38mm XL, the mostly-minimum diameter BT-60 sized kit from Mach1, over the last year. I'm pretty much unable to build a stock rocket, so I cut new fins out of 2mm carbon and changed the shape a little. The paint is cheapy Rustoleum rattle can enamel: White, Regal Red & Black.

I've done several iterations of this design style, starting with my Quicksilver about 5 years ago (my L1 cert rocket). This design is what I'll call inspired by that original Quicksilver paint job. It retains a few of the elements, but is mostly a new design - in the same style. I wanted it to be a more complex design. (Because...masochist?) That plus being on a smaller 38mm rocket meant this mask work was quite a bit tougher to do. I usually aim for about "10 foot" paint jobs; paint jobs that look good in launch photos, but aren't completely perfect up close. I wanted this one to be a little bit better, maybe a 2-5 foot paint job. I fly my rockets alot & they're going to get banged up, so that's my "good enough."

After some computer artwork, I put this in OpenRocket as my paint job goal...


I cut a vinyl mask with my Cameo Silhouette 3 using EnduraMatte vinyl. Worked like a champ, as always.


After primer & sanding, I shot the white base coat. After a few days waiting and sanding, the color went down. I shot red first, then the black fade. Peeling the mask is always entertaining. Gloves, X-acto knives, tweezers, acetone and please-no-sneezes. I had a couple bumps from, ummm, how shall I say this...my helper, but it all worked out.

(Yes, those are rail guides on an MD rocket. Sorry. Yes I know they're draggy and will get scratched up. Don't care. I wanted this one to be super easy to fly & it's not even close to an optimum design for max altitude, so rail guides it is!)

 

[GrouchoDuke]

I hit the 10 photo per post limit. Here's one more of mask stuff. No paint on the carbon fiber fins, because...carbon fiber.


Unfortunately, I painted red too far back. A thin red line pokes out at my tape line between the carbon fins and the black fillets. Oops. I'm not overly skilled at rattle can fades & my in-the-back-yard paint booth isn't great, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I polished today as much as I care to. I think I have my 2-5 foot paint job.

I'm waiting on some custom electronics to get here from the fab shop, but the insides should go together quickly from here. I'm exited to fly it!

 

[Ian A Dalton]

This looks really nice. Did you design the graphics yourself or did you outsource that to someone?

 

[GrouchoDuke]

This looks really nice. Did you design the graphics yourself or did you outsource that to someone?

Thanks Ian. I'll never tell my secrets!! (I worked with an artist.)