Originally posted by powderburner
Karl, the NC on the Phantom kit was made as a clear plastic piece. These kits were never intended to fly (I think Estes put warnings in those kits telling you not to try it) but I have seen several people fly them. I have been trying to figure out how to do a clear NC but the best I can manage is to adapt a clear plastic Easter egg----doesn't look as good as that Phantom NC though.
Karl:
Powderburner is correct, my demo Phantom is a stock Estes kit which I have replaced the provided clear mylar body tube with a BT-50 size Polyethylene mailng tube and slide in clear liner. by extending the length of the phantom to about the size of the old Liberty model I can get 3 full squares of wadding into the model which protects the chute and nose from the heat, while the inner tube liner pervents the heat and soot form messing up the body tube. the fin unit is getting a little yellow tinged with age. may need to fabricate a replacement if I can't find another Phantom in one of the hobby shops
Powderburner:
Have you looked a vacuum forming your own? I've been playing with a small inexpensive machine and one of the wifes old toaster ovens for a little while.. They are designed much like the large 6' x 8' acrylic molding machines We use at the job, but much smaller, Similar to the one George Gassaway featured in Sport rocketry some years back. Fairly nice recults on cones. I am attempting to duplicate the phantom profile in clear PETG (Vivac) .020" clear. Had to put the project on hold, while dealing with so other "matters" I been putting off, but now must handle
Check out these little jewel vacuum forming machines @ www.warmplastic.com
May be just what your looking for
Hope this helps
