Estes (#3228) V2 Mod. Build

[FlyBy01]

During the 2018 Secret Santa I received an Estes V2 and have started to build it with modifications that I have learned about from The Rocketry Forum and The Rocketry Show. The following are the modifications:

• Kevlar shock cord
• Papered Fins
• Epoxy Fillets (JB Weld)
• Estes 24mm motor mount
• filled spirals
• Epoxy and BB nose weight
• Bulkhead added to nosecone
• reinforced centering rings

Please stay tuned for all of the photos. I found an LED head lamp to be very helpful to put some light on the project. Please feel free to ask questions.

 

[FlyBy01]

More photos!

 

[FlyBy01]

The remaining work:

• More filler and lots of sanding
• White primer
• Paint all white
• Mask off and all black (to make test pattern)
• apply decals
• attach Nomex parachute protector
• attach shock cord and parachute
• FLY IT!

More pictures to come.

 

[scott135]

Great looking rocket! Enjoying the build pictures. I will be interested to see it launch!
Scott

 

[MIFFRocket]

Just finishing up my build of the same rocket. Suffice to say it’s not going to look as nice as yours....
Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!!

 

[James Duffy]

You might consider trimming the fins down to a scale profile (template attached below).

What paint scheme are you planning on? There are a bunch of cool V-2 options.

James

 

[FlyBy01]

You might consider trimming the fins down to a scale profile (template attached below).

What paint scheme are you planning on? There are a bunch of cool V-2 options.

James

Probably would have gone this route but I feel I am too far down the construction road. I like the wider fin span as for it will add more stability in a rocket that is not know for its stability (i.e. the addition of nose weight).

 

[FlyBy01]

@ James Duffy: thank you for posting as for it allows others to use it in their build planning.

 

[KILTED COWBOY]

I like it.
I did a totally stock one last summer and had similar thoughts on more power.
Look forward for a flight report

 

[Brent]

You might consider trimming the fins down to a scale profile (template attached below).

What paint scheme are you planning on? There are a bunch of cool V-2 options.

James

The stock Estes fins are way oversized and totally ruin the look.

 

[FlyBy01]

Almost forgot the launch lug so I have completed sanding and added the launch lug.

 

[MIFFRocket]

What did you use to fill the spirals? I’ve seen other people do this but haven’t seen what is used.

 

[FlyBy01]

What did you use to fill the spirals? I’ve seen other people do this but haven’t seen what is used.

I just follow the spiral with this and sand off the excess.

 

[FlyBy01]

For those following I am trying to get an update/ finish this out but have been working on an High Power Rocket (HPR) and swamped with work. There are only 2 launches left this year due to the site being a farm and it’s almost time to plant the crops.

 

[FlyBy01]

All sanded and prepared for primer. I think I will paint it like my profile picture.

 

[FlyBy01]

Final coat of white is on and black accents to follow. I will be painted like my profile picture of a real V2 on Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, TX. I plan to also post a video of the maiden flight using an Aerotech E20-7W with a Jolly Logic parachute release.

 

[FlyBy01]

The V2 located on Fort Bliss, TX and the Estes V2 in final stages of paint preparation.

 

[FlyBy01]

The remaining work:

• Mask off and all black (to make test pattern)
• apply decals
• attach Nomex parachute protector
• attach shock cord and parachute
• FLY IT!

More pictures to come; the FLY IT! part maybe hard to do as soon as I'd like due to the Zombie Apocalypse (aka: COVID-19).