flight4
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First Level 1 build!
My hope is that when I build bagged kits, any level, that I can also introduce something unique to the build, something different, maybe the paint scheme, a mod, an idea, or maybe just a story or notion.
These two Alphas are my first Level 1 build. I have two young boys who were recently introduced to rocketry via their summer camp experiences, and I have been blowing gently on that ember.
Over the summer we built some E2X models and the launch results are here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30807
In addition I have been accumulating some additional current and vintage rocket kits. Plus I'm designing a few in my head. Some of the kits are pairs, some not. I bought three Quarks actually--Mom needs a rocket too
The Alpha/Beta project was to build a pair of rockets for my boys, but also to check or tune up my own skills before moving on to the next level. Being a woodworker and occasional furniture maker for several decades I wasn't worried. --But the scale is sure different.
Blah, Blah, Blah-blah
Here's the pic. Click on it for a larger image.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755042/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755042/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
What's unique here is the dual Alpha, or Alpha & Beta, one for each of my boys. I wonder if anyone has built an Alpha for every letter of the alphabet? That's a lot of Alphas. And a lot of graphic arts, which is not my strength.
Almost everyone has built a 3FNC so I will skip all that. However there is a web album of the Alpha/Beta build at: https://www.pbase.com/flight4/gallery/alphabeta if you're interested.
This thread is just the finishing.
Here we are:
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754908/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754908/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68762560/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68762560/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754909/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754909/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754947/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754947/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Oops! Will need to sand that out! There were a couple of similar "leaks".
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754959/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754959/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Custom decals I scanned, altered, and printed. Ready to be cut out. Standard Avery clear label stock from Staples.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754986/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754986/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Ready to go. Original decal sheet in the background. I was wanting to try a few more things with the "Beta" logo, but after a few days playing with it I said enough. I'm an engineer, not a graphic artist after all. I like it though.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754992/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754992/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
All done! Whew!
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754999/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754999/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
The final result. After a few coats of clear.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755081/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755081/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Spent probably two hours applying those dang decals. The first set (Alpha) was a bear, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing. I had clear coated them but not enough. I was losing ink everytime I touched them. I gave the second set of decals (Beta) another light coat of clear and they were fine.
Dipping in some water while applying worked great. On the body though, which was glossy and not sanded, it was hard to get the decals to stay put long enough to stick. They were ok after a few minutes. Better than them just grabbing and my not being able to move them at all. After everything was dry I used a balsa stick to rub down and burnish all the decal edges. I think this helped a lot.
Next time will need to remember to saturate the colors more before printing. Did that with the logos and they are great. Didn't with the stripes and they look a little pale in comparison. But 3' away from the model you can't tell
Overall I'm pleased. After the clear coating the decals blend in very nicely, almost no edges. Will want to try making waterslide decals one day.
After a few days of drying I'll buff them with a little furniture polish and 0000 steel wool. And then wait for a nice day to launch. A drag race of course!
The next project on deck is a pair of BMS School Rockets. My plan is to let the guys do most of the build--motor mounts, fins, lug, some sanding etc. I'll put on some white primer, and then let them color w/ markers or decorate w/ stickers to their heart's content. A few coats of clear and done!
Thanks for looking!
My hope is that when I build bagged kits, any level, that I can also introduce something unique to the build, something different, maybe the paint scheme, a mod, an idea, or maybe just a story or notion.
These two Alphas are my first Level 1 build. I have two young boys who were recently introduced to rocketry via their summer camp experiences, and I have been blowing gently on that ember.
Over the summer we built some E2X models and the launch results are here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30807
In addition I have been accumulating some additional current and vintage rocket kits. Plus I'm designing a few in my head. Some of the kits are pairs, some not. I bought three Quarks actually--Mom needs a rocket too
The Alpha/Beta project was to build a pair of rockets for my boys, but also to check or tune up my own skills before moving on to the next level. Being a woodworker and occasional furniture maker for several decades I wasn't worried. --But the scale is sure different.
Blah, Blah, Blah-blah
Here's the pic. Click on it for a larger image.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755042/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755042/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
What's unique here is the dual Alpha, or Alpha & Beta, one for each of my boys. I wonder if anyone has built an Alpha for every letter of the alphabet? That's a lot of Alphas. And a lot of graphic arts, which is not my strength.
Almost everyone has built a 3FNC so I will skip all that. However there is a web album of the Alpha/Beta build at: https://www.pbase.com/flight4/gallery/alphabeta if you're interested.
This thread is just the finishing.
Here we are:
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754908/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754908/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68762560/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68762560/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754909/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754909/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754947/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754947/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Oops!
Will need to sand that out! There were a couple of similar "leaks".<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754959/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754959/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Custom decals I scanned, altered, and printed. Ready to be cut out. Standard Avery clear label stock from Staples.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754986/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754986/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Ready to go. Original decal sheet in the background. I was wanting to try a few more things with the "Beta" logo, but after a few days playing with it I said enough. I'm an engineer, not a graphic artist after all. I like it though.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754992/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754992/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
All done! Whew!
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754999/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68754999/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
The final result. After a few coats of clear.
<a href=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755081/original.jpg target=_blank><image src=https://www.pbase.com/flight4/image/68755081/medium.jpg height=267 width=400></a>
Spent probably two hours applying those dang decals. The first set (Alpha) was a bear, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing. I had clear coated them but not enough. I was losing ink everytime I touched them. I gave the second set of decals (Beta) another light coat of clear and they were fine.
Dipping in some water while applying worked great. On the body though, which was glossy and not sanded, it was hard to get the decals to stay put long enough to stick. They were ok after a few minutes. Better than them just grabbing and my not being able to move them at all. After everything was dry I used a balsa stick to rub down and burnish all the decal edges. I think this helped a lot.
Next time will need to remember to saturate the colors more before printing. Did that with the logos and they are great. Didn't with the stripes and they look a little pale in comparison. But 3' away from the model you can't tell
Overall I'm pleased. After the clear coating the decals blend in very nicely, almost no edges. Will want to try making waterslide decals one day.
After a few days of drying I'll buff them with a little furniture polish and 0000 steel wool. And then wait for a nice day to launch. A drag race of course!
The next project on deck is a pair of BMS School Rockets. My plan is to let the guys do most of the build--motor mounts, fins, lug, some sanding etc. I'll put on some white primer, and then let them color w/ markers or decorate w/ stickers to their heart's content. A few coats of clear and done!
Thanks for looking!
