UfO
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2009
- Messages
- 67
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Now the Crossfire is a pretty cool kit for a starter pack! I've come to expect plastic finned, super easy to assemble rockets with launch packs but the Crossfire called for an actual build which is of course my favorite part of this hobby. Don't get me wrong it was still a simple build being a level 1 but I still had to take the time to sand, seal and glue all the bits and pieces.
Kit contents:
I got to sanding and sealing the fins as soon as I opened the packaging. Sealing fins is a new concept to me being that when I built rockets as a kid I just half-assed my builds. I'll talk more about that later. I didn't have any sanding sealer on hand but had heard of using white glue or modge podge. So I did just that and used what I have on hand...white glue. It seemed to do the trick. They're noticeably more rigid and sanded to a super smooth finish after a couple coats.
Fins:
I ended up having to cut a new fin due to my own stupidity. I won't elaborate! Luckily I had some extra balsa laying around. Looks just like the original...job accomplished.
Believe it or not this kit is the first time I've ever constructed an motor mount assembly. This goes back to the half-assing thing. As a kid I would just wrap some masking tape around the motor and jam it in the body tube! I only had one failed flight out of dozens so it did the trick!
Motor mount assembly:
Glued in place:
The rest of the build was uneventful. I just had to separate the nose cone from a molded piece that goes at the bottom of the rocket. I'm not sure what that's called...a cowl maybe?
Nose cone and cowl:
Seperated:
Continued in next post...
Kit contents:
I got to sanding and sealing the fins as soon as I opened the packaging. Sealing fins is a new concept to me being that when I built rockets as a kid I just half-assed my builds. I'll talk more about that later. I didn't have any sanding sealer on hand but had heard of using white glue or modge podge. So I did just that and used what I have on hand...white glue. It seemed to do the trick. They're noticeably more rigid and sanded to a super smooth finish after a couple coats.
Fins:
I ended up having to cut a new fin due to my own stupidity. I won't elaborate! Luckily I had some extra balsa laying around. Looks just like the original...job accomplished.
Believe it or not this kit is the first time I've ever constructed an motor mount assembly. This goes back to the half-assing thing. As a kid I would just wrap some masking tape around the motor and jam it in the body tube! I only had one failed flight out of dozens so it did the trick!
Motor mount assembly:
Glued in place:
The rest of the build was uneventful. I just had to separate the nose cone from a molded piece that goes at the bottom of the rocket. I'm not sure what that's called...a cowl maybe?
Nose cone and cowl:
Seperated:
Continued in next post...