Estes Cobra Build Thread

[125cc]

Hey folks,

Mrs. 125 bought me this on Amazon and it arrived in the post today. Ticks all the boxes... Winged futuristic aircraft-style Sci-Fi design, not an easy build... Superb. Should keep me out if trouble these next few weeks.

Will post updates here during the build. Starting tomorrow

 

[125cc]

Stuff it... Decided to start tonight. Like a kid with a new present on Christmas Day, I couldn't wait to rip it open and get going...

AIM-9-esque missiles x6 and Engine Mount done. Intake assembly next.

125cc

 

[SCooke123]

Looks interesting..........

 

[125cc]

More work this evening. Rather fiddly and managed to bungle a few things think I'm becoming the Tim Taylor of Rocketry... Let's re-title this thread "Rocketry Improvement", starring not-so-Steely-Eyed-Missileman 125cc... MORE POWERRRRRR!!!!

Mounts attached to the missiles and launch lugs. Extremely fiddly and managed to damage many of the mounts for the missiles so have modified them a bit... Oh well it's a "personal touch" hopefully they will be secure enough not to come flying off on launch. Might be a cool "feature" though

Have made the intake box and the wings. Again gluing the fore and aft wing sections was very fiddly and a bit odd I found. Would've made more sense to me if they were in one piece each, but there we are.

Glue setting overnight. Tomorrow's episode is installing the center spar inside the intake assembly and ensuring the wings are stuck together with further coats of glue to avoid any RUD in flight Might paint the missiles, nose and engine bell too.

 

[125cc]

No progress to report tonight. Too knackered from a busy day of household chores, doing a bunch of work on the car and lifting heavy stuff to the scrapyard! More fun and catastrophic bodges to come tomorrow.

 

[125cc]

More progress tonight. Wings and engine box mated to the BT. Bit of an XB70 vibe here - nice nod to one of my favourite aircraft.

Also sanded off the leading edges on the wings, "intake" and missile pylons. Enjoying this build.

Next up, installing the fins and engine details.

 

[neil_w]

Cool build, I don't think I ever saw all the underside details of one of these before.

Suggestion: more light! Your pics are really dark.

 

[125cc]

Thanks! Sorry about the light. hopefully better this time with the main light on!

Fins, engine detail and launch lugs installed. That's enough for tonight, lots done, leaving glue to dry then it's primer time

125cc

 

[neil_w]

Much better. Looking good, I guess all those slots are for the missiles?

I really like the underside construction, I should do something like that in one of my designs someday.

 

[125cc]

Slots are for the missiles. Hopefully they won't rip off on the first flight!

I like the underside too, very unusual and aircraft-like. As I said very similar to the XB70. Thinking of a nice garish colour scheme like what I did with the Tazz last year.

125cc

 

[125cc]

No photos tonight, just going over the joints with more glue to ensure everything's secure before I coat it in primer at the weekend.

Also going to paint the nose, engine bell and missiles before they are installed. Motor mount left out for now until main fuselage is painted.

 

[125cc]

Decided to fit the missiles, mount and engine bell before painting. Also tied up the cord & chute and glued the cord attachment inside the BT. Priming tomorrow I think.

Currently chilling alongside Little Joe and Tazz, both of which are yet to make their maiden flights.

 

[125cc]

Primer done. Also decided to lacquer Tazz as the decals were getting a little flaky. Sanding and paint tomorrow

 

[markschnell]

Such a cool rocket. This is one of those I think Estes didn't market very well. I had no idea this rocket had that interesting underside with the missiles. If they had shown a better angle on the face card I'll bet it would have sold more.

 

[125cc]

Such a cool rocket. This is one of those I think Estes didn't market very well. I had no idea this rocket had that interesting underside with the missiles. If they had shown a better angle on the face card I'll bet it would have sold more.

I agree! It's a very underrated design. Not sure how it'll fly but I'll take a successful straightish launch and as long as it comes back in one piece I'll be chuffed

Paint done today. Looks a bit like a Klingon Battleship from this angle haha!

Painting the engine bell, missiles and some minor details here and there next, then decals.

 

[125cc]

One question for anyone who's interested. Which colour for the engine bell, black or orange? Decals are orange but was thinking black for the exhaust and missiles...

 

[neil_w]

One question for anyone who's interested. Which colour for the engine bell, black or orange? Decals are orange but was thinking black for the exhaust and missiles...

I vote black.

 

[markschnell]

I vote for black too!

 

[125cc]

Well, black it is then...

Details painted and decals done tonight. Just needs lacquer now.

I'm pretty happy.

 

[SCooke123]

Turned out pretty cool. Can't wait to hear how it flies.

 

[125cc]

Can't wait to find out myself! Might be a while however as we're still in lockdown in the UK. I stay literally next door to an airport too (where I also work) so I can't just nip out and fly (frustrating as there's a field across from our house that would otherwise be perfect!). Tazz and LJ need their maiden flights too so it will be a triple first flight when it happens...

 

[Raptor 2]

Looks like a lot of wood work on this one one. Well done with a nice job on the finishing. Front end reminds me of Star Trek Klingon war bird.

 

[125cc]

Thanks. A bit of wood work but nothing out of the ordinary - just sanding balsa sheets and keeping them still whilst gluing. Wasn't any more difficult than doing Tazz to be honest.

Yes the nose with the colour scheme does remind me of the Bird of Prey or a Vor'Cha cruiser... Uh oh Trekkie alert

 

[Raptor 2]

Thanks. A bit of wood work but nothing out of the ordinary - just sanding balsa sheets and keeping them still whilst gluing. Wasn't any more difficult than doing Tazz to be honest.

Yes the nose with the colour scheme does remind me of the Bird of Prey or a Vor'Cha cruiser... Uh oh Trekkie alert

Space the last frontier

 

[125cc]

Oops. Didn't go well today...

Lacquered the paint and during spraying one of the decals peeled right off. Disappointing as I'd name a decent job. Anyone know of a place I can get replacements?

Aside from that it's ready to fly. Come on get this lockdown away...

 

[Raptor 2]

Never had that happen. What did you use to apply the decals. I use micro set/sol after first applying a clear coat to the body. Then after it’s set another couple of clear coats Rust-oleum Satin