DARKSTAR Ultra, Ultra Extra Lite....Micro ! Build

[blackjack2564]

Since receiving my "special" package from Fliskits and it was packed with tubes and NC's , I decided to build my first true downscale. DarkStar split fin rocket.

Since I'm terrible at down sizing accurately and Don [Wolfstar dlb] has auto cad, I gave him a call and agreed to supply the needed PDF downscale.

So with his and Wildman's permission I'll post it here in case anyone would also like to build this Tiny DarkStar rocket.

Based on the BT-3 size tubing.

Print it out at 100 % and just trace and cut the pattern. If your printer does really good color, then just prime the fins and cover them with the colored paper and wrap the Nameplate or use it for decals.

View attachment DarkStar_MM.pdf

 

[blackjack2564]

First step gather all required parts. Motor mount, airframe, NC, shock cord and streamer.

Print out the full size patterns and it's downhill from here.

I will use the lite ply for fins. If you have very sharp scissors you can cut your fins with these, rather than the time consuming exacto method.

Plus its much easier to cut small parts with scissors when you have large hands.

 

[dixontj93060]

Interesting build, but man, you have a more steady hand than I!

I do 1/36 scale RC trucks, but that's about my limit.

 

[Micromeister]

Since receiving my "special" package from Fliskits and it was packed with tubes and NC's , I decided to build my first true downscale. DarkStar split fin rocket.

Since I'm terrible at down sizing accurately and Don [Wolfstar dlb] has auto cad, I gave him a call and agreed to supply the needed PDF downscale.

So with his and Wildman's permission I'll post it here in case anyone would also like to build this Tiny DarkStar rocket.

Based on the BT-3 size tubing.

Print it out at 100 % and just trace and cut the pattern. If your printer does really good color, then just prime the fins and cover them with the colored paper and wrap the Nameplate or use it for decals.

Very Very Nice Blackjack!
I just love any downscaled Micro model but "Ultra EXTRA Lite"???? Nope
to do that you'd have to make it minimum diameter (T2+) then it's be Ultra Extra Lite" LOL!
At T3 as least it'll be fairly easily recoverable.

Very Nifty Micro though:

 

[blackjack2564]

This one is simple in hopes of "luring" some other DarkStar owners over to the "darkside' of MMX!

It is a Wildman....so if I see one of you with one, and challenge you.....we gotta race!! I'll even toss in the motors and supply the pads!
So no excuses now!! [ya I know big spender here]

All ya gotta do is trace and cut!
So simple a caveman could do it!

The printed plans show break point for tube and NC. To hard to see it here

Just lay tube over, mark for front cut.
Mark for rear fin placement from back edge.

Now cut out one set of fin patterns, leave in one piece.
Tape to rear mark for fin placement on tube.
Mark for both fin placements and gap between.

 

[blackjack2564]

Wrap tape around both fin space marks and trace. Remove tape.

I only have my well worn fin tubing marker from my first mmmx kit. The teeny Triskilion. So this is what I still use for marking tubes!
Don't forget the launch lug position. We ain't using no stink'n rail buttons here.

Extend all 3 fin position lines down the airframe and the lug line also. I use an old tin cigar lid for this.

Yours should look similar to last pic when finished.

 

[blackjack2564]

I figured this one out on my Competitor 4 micro....way easier to cut the fins out with scissors AND really fast too!

So trace and cut the 3 upper and 3 lower fin sets.

Cut with x-acto or scissors if brave and lazy like me. Made the long cuts with the scissors and the short one across the tip with x-acto.

I'll be gluing and aligning fins for awhile.
Maybe take an "Upton" break Later

 

[blackjack2564]

I just love any downscaled Micro model but "Ultra EXTRA Lite"???? Nope
to do that you'd have to make it minimum diameter (T2+) then it's be Ultra Extra Lite" LOL!
:

That is the next project though......micro Blackhawk in T-2. I just forgot to order nosecones that size.

Please forgive the "grasshopper" Oh.....Master..... Micro!

Hey I'm new at this and equally stupid:bangpan: sometimes....... but I will strive to learn master.........LOL:blush:


But you should build one of these.....just in case I show up at one of your launches sometime. Dragrace.

 

[blackjack2564]

After gluing the last lower fin on, I have come to a realization.....Is there a micro way to hold the upper fins to the lower when trying for alingment on a split fin design?


In larger builds I just use scrap paint sticks on each side of fin and clamps to hold the forward in alignment with rear.


So what is the "proper" mmx way?

 

[blackjack2564]

After a couple of hours searching, I found some threads where you stack glass plates or marble to aid in fin alignment.

It just so happens that a CD cover and my cigar box lid does the trick.

So for the next day I will be attaching and filleting the upper fins as well

 

[dlb]

a toothpick and a small drop of CA (very Small), thats how I'm doing it!
magnify glass included:neener:

 

[MarkII]

What, no fiberglass? :y: And how are you working out the DD?

Just kidding. Very nice, Jim. You only recently joined the ranks of us micro geeks, and yet you are already starting to leave the rest of us in the dust!

...Reason tatters/
The forces tear loose from the axis...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U29vjFkpFXo

MarkII

 

[blackjack2564]

Finished the fins and fillets.

A little primer.

Launch lugs shot. Placement just as shown where rail buttons are on PDF.

 

[blackjack2564]

While the glue was drying, finished painting and installing decals on my Petite Preator, Dead Ringer and Diminutive Deuce

The decal placement was a real challenge as tiny as they were. Followed by 2 coats of clear.Here's a teaser shot. Lighting was bad and washed out the color.

Will take some shots in daylight and post them.

 

[blackjack2564]

After finishing up some other micros, it was time to get back to this one.

Got some paint on it, that took 4 days with the darn drying time now.

For the decal to go on right I first coat them both sides with Clear coat. Then they will get applied with Super 77. That's gonna be fun with something this small!
The hazard sign is so small I'll wait till after the c coat, before cutting it out. Much easier to work with it this way.

Should be able to apply them and clear the whole rocket tommorrow.

 

[blackjack2564]

Just for fun.... here it is with big brother!

 

[blackjack2564]

Finally finished!

Clear coat dried today and the tiny DS is done. Hope some more of you decided to take on this challenge. A bit tedious but worth the effort.

After next launch, a flight report .

 

[jflis]

That is one sweet down scale! Very nice

Love that Petite Praetor too. good work!

 

[dlb]

ahhhhhhh, how tweet.
can't wait to see it launch on a G64.:eyepop:

 

[Micromeister]

That is the next project though......micro Blackhawk in T-2. I just forgot to order nosecones that size.

Please forgive the "grasshopper" Oh.....Master..... Micro!

Hey I'm new at this and equally stupid:bangpan: sometimes....... but I will strive to learn master.........LOL:blush:


But you should build one of these.....just in case I show up at one of your launches sometime. Dragrace.

That is the plan!
but I'm also looking at augmenting you guys drawing. I can't seem to get the darn pdf to open in Corel. I keep getting a bad file message.
So to get the credits right this is a Wildman design, downscaled to T3 by Wolfstar Correct? Any Idea on when it was designed? I'm also putting in on 8.5 x 14 paper. When I get it built I'll try to post the drawing as well.

 

[blackjack2564]

That is the plan!
but I'm also looking at augmenting you guys drawing. I can't seem to get the darn pdf to open in Corel. I keep getting a bad file message.
So to get the credits right this is a Wildman design, downscaled to T3 by Wolfstar Correct? Any Idea on when it was designed? I'm also putting in on 8.5 x 14 paper. When I get it built I'll try to post the drawing as well.

It was downscaled/designed for me by Don, the day I posted thread.

Original DarkStar was designed by Don Ball/Wolfstar for Wildman, the exact date he will have to tell you.

I'm sure when he sees this he will chime in.

Don, you have it in Corel also don't you? Post or send it to John & save him some time . Thanks

I will bring it with me on this years flying circuit,just in case I run into you John. You know the drill now don't you?

If you build it you're a Wildman & can't refuse a "challenge" or risk your "status" being revoked and demoted to a "Mildman" LOL

Ps I've been saving a "special" motor for an occasion like this!

 

[Micromeister]

It was downscaled/designed for me by Don, the day I posted thread.

Original DarkStar was designed by Don Ball/Wolfstar for Wildman, the exact date he will have to tell you.

I'm sure when he sees this he will chime in.

Don, you have it in Corel also don't you? Post or send it to John & save him some time . Thanks

I will bring it with me on this years flying circuit,just in case I run into you John. You know the drill now don't you?

If you build it you're a Wildman & can't refuse a "challenge" or risk your "status" being revoked and demoted to a "Mildman" LOL

Ps I've been saving a "special" motor for an occasion like this!

:roll:!!!
That'd be a pretty decent staged flight LOL...OH Man! recovery might be a little tricky

Well Dang if Don had it in Corel that would have saved a little time but Too Late! Just finished re-drawing the whole darn thing. Internal parts, fin patterns Decal or body wrap. My only slight concern is the "forward" LL location that far down on such a long micro, could tend to hang up on the rod... but I left it pretty much as noted I think i nugged it a little toward the bottom of the wrap. I'll just have to make a little credit change and it'll be printable
Then I can build one for sure. Why would anyone refuse a micro drag race? Chould be a hoot. Ask anyone I'm just a teddy bear LOL!!! Mildman fits right in Ah ha ha haaaaaa.

 

[dlb]

Hopefully I can pass this on this way.

Should be a Coreldraw 12 cdr file within the ZIP, please play with it all you want and pass a copy back at me.

View attachment DarkStar_MM.zip

 

[UPscaler]

Jim,
I love how you fly big motors, drag race N10,000's, and still take the time to fly micromaxx stuff. I want to get a couple micromaxx kits so I can fly in my front yard!



Braden

 

[Micromeister]

Hopefully I can pass this on this way.

Should be a Coreldraw 12 cdr file within the ZIP, please play with it all you want and pass a copy back at me.

Hope you can open Coreldraw 13 files. attached below for you blessing. well rat's the .cdr file wouldn't upload. Here's the Corel created Pdf anyway.

View attachment MM 3xxc_T3 Darkstar_Wildman Design & T3 by Don Ball (Wolfstar)_01-03-11.pdf

 

[dlb]

WOW very Nice, and fast too! Blessings upon you!

Save it as a EMF and then zip it, this place don't like non picture files , unless your a Rocksim file.

Thanks, mind it I added it to my site?

 

[Micromeister]

WOW very Nice, and fast too! Blessings upon you!

Save it as a EMF and then zip it, this place don't like non picture files , unless your a Rocksim file.

Thanks, mind it I added it to my site?

Thanks Wolfstar! Would have been faster, if I hadn't lost the original download last year, then forgotten about it until someone ask why I hadn't built one....We get sidetracked so easily these days :eyeroll:

Not a prob at all:
Once I build a T3 Darkstar, Plan and Pics will be posted over on the MicroMaxRockets group as well.

Your teaching me something about a program I use almost daily....EMF? I don't think I've even hard that term. I haven't used a zip file in so long I'm not sure my subscription is still good LOL!!! but I'll sure give it a try..thanks.

 

[dlb]

my bad:confused2:
I was meaning Encapsulated PostScript, or EPS files, those pass back and forth well, I use it to pass on files to Mark at Stickershock.

 

[JPVegh]

Looks like a cool little project. I think I will build one, in T2+ scale of course.

 

[Agent Titan]

Dang, Jim. I think you got the dimensions a little off.... :rofl:

Nice build!