ESTES #2141 Vintage SILVER COMET build log

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet kit bash rocket build log: today, so far, I’ve got two fins epoxied in with BSI 30 minute and West Systems 406 colloidal filler. I’m hoping to get the other two glued in by the end of this evening so I can attach all the pods tomorrow. Speaking of the fin pods they were all sanded down from being filled yesterday.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Fins 3 and 4 now epoxied in.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet rocket kit bash log: all 4 fin pods have been epoxied on with BSI 30 minute w/ West Systems 406 Colloidal filler and taped down to dry.

 

[JoeFilgas]

I really like the addition of the fin pods to this! More fun stuff to add!

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet kit bash rocket build log: today I wanted to make a couple of port holes for this project. I raided the medicine cabinet and grabbed a couple of small pill bottle lids. The plastic internal inset was cut out first. Then with my dremel I ground out the center enough to get a dowel with sand paper inside to enlarge and smooth out the circle of the port. When I was happy with that I sanded the tube shape into the bottom of the port hole caps so it conformed to the BT. Then, using a plastic lid from I have no idea what the port “windows were cut out and trimmed to fit inside the port holes. These were glued in using BSI thick CA glue. Next it was on to the rivets for the port holes. I first drew an approximate centerline with pencil then marked out the rivet locations. I then used an ice pick to make an indentation on the plastic where each rivet was to be placed. Before applying the Bearly Art Precision Glue rivets, the surface was cleaned and pencil lines and marks removed. Once dry these were both glued to the BT with CA glue. Next it was on to the door. I used the kit’s design for this, but I made a 3D version out of 1/6” balsa sheet. The two hinges were made from a kabob wooden skewer and inset into the door. The door’s opening mechanism was sanded on the back to conform to the BT. The door would also be following the same contour when finished. For the telescoping port window I used a DEVO Hat I had left over. Its bottom was also contoured to the BT. To attach everything to the BT I first sprayed the balsa lightly with Windex to loosen the grain (which was vertical to the door). I traced the location of the door onto the BT to show me where to put the CA glue. The door was then carefully pressed down into place first down the centerline to tack followed by pressing horizontally down each side until the door was completely adhered and conforming to the BT. The door mechanism and telescoping port hole window were then glued down with CA as well. The cow skull probably won’t be glued on until after the rocket has been painted as I want to leave it all white. With that done the nose cone canopy was sanded down and an approximate pencil centerline was then drawn over the canopy frame. I made a mark about every 1/4” to denote where the rivets would go using the same procedure I used on the port holes and placed all those rivets down with the same glue. Finally, I filled the spirals and tail cone/BT joint with glazing putty. I did cut out two more rivet bands which I’ll add to the BT once I’ve sanded the filler off. I’m really liking how this one is coming along! MORE PICS FROM TODAY’S PROGRESS IN FOLLOWING POSTS.

 

[JoeFilgas]

More pics from today’s work.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Final two pics from today’s build work.

 

[tfischer]

Wow, very nice detailing and customization!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Wow, very nice detailing and customization!

Thank you I sure do appreciate it!

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet rocket kit bash build log: today I added a Fixit clay epoxy fillet plus around the launch lug. This will be sanded down quite a bit later. Next I added the top and bottom cardstock bands for the glue rivets with BSI thin CA glue. I also added the same glue to the balsa door and about 1.5” of the top inside of the BT to discourage zippers all followed by a sanding. Now I’m spending time adding the Bearly Art Precision Glue rivets to the two bands. I’ll finish that up tonight so I can move on to the West Systems epoxy fin/fin pod fillets tomorrow.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet rocket kit bash build log: today I added the West Ststems (105 resin, 206 slow hardener and 406 colloidal filler) fillets to the fins and fin pods. A single pump of resin and hardener was enough to do all of the fillets on this project. Tried something new today as well being I didn’t use tape. Sure saved time and I’m not worse for wear! This has been set aside to dry.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet rocket kit bash build log: yesterday I sanded the epoxy fillets, but the epoxy still wasn’t totally cured so I waited until today to sand a little more and then add the automotive glazing putty to the fillets and the launch lug area. This has been set aside to dry.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet Rocket Kit bash build log: today I got all the previous fill work sanded down….good thing I find sanding enjoyable LOL! I had to re-do all, but one of the lower rivets because despite how careful I thought I was being well yeah. Finally I did a small amount of surface fill in a few spots and set aside to dry. Had an idea for a couple more additions to the airframe…will proceed with that tomorrow!

 

[ljwilley]

So far looks pretty good!

 

[JoeFilgas]

So far looks pretty good!

Thanks! Stay tuned more unique things to come!

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet rocket kit bash build log: well this probably gives away the theme I decided to go with. Rocket will be red and metallic gold. Almost ready to primer! ️

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet Rocket kit bash “FLASH GORDON” build log: With the flash logo dry from being wetted with Windex last night I sealed the balsa with BSI thin CA glue and sanded. Unfortunately, I found a single rivet on the nose cone that needed to be re-done so that was done, but no primer for 24 hours. The main body and motor retainer cap screw, however, were primered with their first round.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet kit bash rocket build log “FLASH GORDON”: all parts have round two of primer and are waiting to be final sanded in preparation for the color coats!

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet Rocket Kit bash “FLASH GORDON” build log: today I got the second primer round wet sanded with 600 grit and cleaned. Maybe red tomorrow?

 

[SolarYellow]

If you're going to do red as a final color, hit it with a base coat of white first. It will make a big difference in the brightness of the red.

 

[JoeFilgas]

If you're going to do red as a final color, hit it with a base coat of white first. It will make a big difference in the brightness of the red.

Thanks for the tip! In this case I’m going with a darker, more vintage shade of regal red.

 

[JoeFilgas]

My Estes Silver Comet Rocket Kit bash “FLASH GORDON” build log: I woke up late this morning to beautiful, warm, sunny and not windy weather! So the RED went on!

 

[cat5752]

Exceptional work as always Joe.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Exceptional work as always Joe.

Thank you! The metallic gold is really going to make this pop! It’ll be a couple of weeks before I get a chance to do that though.

 

[SolarYellow]

I realized this morning that if your pods faced the other way, this would be pretty close to the OpenRocket logo rocket.

 

[JoeFilgas]

I realized this morning that if your pods faced the other way, this would be pretty close to the OpenRocket logo rocket.

LOL it would wouldn’t it!

 

[ljwilley]

just noticed that!

 

[dpower]

This is a really great build. The Silver Comet has always been in need of fin pods, and your airframe detail is neat (especially the porthole)! I don't think I've ever seen glassing done with CA, that must've produced some good fumes.

 

[JoeFilgas]

This is a really great build. The Silver Comet has always been in need of fin pods, and your airframe detail is neat (especially the porthole)! I don't think I've ever seen glassing done with CA, that must've produced some good fumes.

Thanks so much! The moment I first saw this design it said fin pods needed for sure! The port holes were definitely fun to build I really enjoy making those sorts of things! Should have it done next week! As to the thin CA yes you definitely need good ventilation! Thanks for following along!

 

[SolarYellow]

I will use stinky CA, but only outdoors with a breeze. I even prefer to use the non-stinky CA outdoors.

CA fiberglass was a thing in model airplanes since the '80s.