ESTES ROCKETS MASTER SERIES MERCURY ATLAS BUILD!

[JoeFilgas]

Got that final sanding done on my Masters Series Mercury Atlas rocket after the third round of spot primer this morning. I also came up with a pretty amazing solution to sanding the detail on the lower ring and nozzles both places sand paper just doesn’t cut it as good as it needs to. I took a couple of disposable metal epoxy brushes and trimmed most of the brush part off. What remained were short, stout little bristles capable of “sanding” these areas. Worked great! I then shot the silver base coat on the BT! Now to wait about a week to add more color to various parts.

 

[GlennW]

Hey I have been following your build with a particular interest as I built the Atlas about 15 years ago. It's flown only about 3 times but is a great rocket. On mine I did not prime and paint the whole BT as I used the mylar strips. For me, cutting and getting those just right took me just as long if not longer than the entire rest of the build and finishing! It was quite tedious but judging from what I'm seeing of your build, a modeler of your skills will not find it too difficult. Good luck! And I hope you're going to fly it at least once.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Hey I have been following your build with a particular interest as I built the Atlas about 15 years ago. It's flown only about 3 times but is a great rocket. On mine I did not prime and paint the whole BT as I used the mylar strips. For me, cutting and getting those just right took me just as long if not longer than the entire rest of the build and finishing! It was quite tedious but judging from what I'm seeing of your build, a modeler of your skills will not find it too difficult. Good luck! And I hope you're going to fly it at least once.

I contemplated why they instruct to paint the BT, but not the transition nose cone before applying the Mylar and the only thing I can surmise is that with all the surface detail on the BT painted silver it would be a masking nightmare. The plastic transition cone, on the other hand, is quite easy to mask off the limited detail. Thanks for following my project! Please share a picture of yours.

 

[JoeFilgas]

BTW, these are the disposable epoxy brushes I turned into a detail sanding implement. The shorter the bristle the stiffer they are. Replicated about a 600 grit paper. Took awhile, but it worked great for the lower wrap and already installed nozzles.

 

[GlennW]

Mine under power, June 2007

 

[JoeFilgas]

Mine under power, June 2007
View attachment 597264

That’s AWESOME!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Got some more detail painting done on the circa 1994 Estes Masters Series Mercury Atlas kit. Should be able to apply the Mylar strips later next week. Only building really left to do is to glue the escape tower to the capsule and then all of that to the transition cone.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Estes Masters Series Mercury Atlas update: the tower/capsule portion is almost done. This is the second tower build I’ve done and despite learning from the first one and being extremely diligent on this one it was still a real bugger to build. This one too is not perfect. The 29 year old decals are also not wanting to sit down and confirm to the capsule easily either. I’ve just added the second application of Micro Sol and I’m pretty sure it will take one or two more. My lovely wife will be making a vinyl replacement for the vertical ”UNITED STATES” and the booster designation to replace the kit water slides. I’m planning to apply the Mylar strips to the transition cone tomorrow.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Also got the separation ring painted red today!

 

[novahobbies]

lookin' great! Best of luck on those mylar strips. Steady hand, hold your breath, and have fun!

 

[JoeFilgas]

lookin' great! Best of luck on those mylar strips. Steady hand, hold your breath, and have fun!

Thanks I think!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Alright this is WAR! I’ve had it with these 29 year old decals for the Mercury Atlas! Prepare to be WHIPPED into shape!

 

[JoeFilgas]

The circa 1994 Estes Masters Series Mercury Atlas build: Well I got the top transition/cone covered in the Mylar strips today and some more touch up painting done on the red separation ring. The Mylar application certainly comes with a learning curve, but I’m pretty happy with it so far. I also hit the capsule decals for a sixth time with Micro Sol. Thinking it’s probably as good as it’s going to get at this point. I’ll be ready to glue the capsule to the transition in a couple of days as soon as the touch up paint dries. Will start applying the Mylar to the BT tomorrow. Lorrena made me the replacement UNITED STATES and Booster designation vinyl decals so I don’t have to use the 29 year old decals that are being a pain. Thanks honey!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

Lookin' real purty! A good scale build is a thing of beauty!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Lookin' real purty! A good scale build is a thing of beauty!

Thank you! I really love this rocket and it’s historical significance!

 

[JoeFilgas]

My circa 1994 Estes Masters Series Mercury Atlas (John Glenn - Friendship 7) flying model rocket is now basically complete. Still need to do some touch up work and configure the recovery systems. This is really a fantastic rocket kit! I sure hope Estes decides to bring it back at least for a limited production run.

 

[Dane Ronnow]

Impressive build!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

That is some kind of gorgeous! May she fly with nary a scar!

 

[aerostadt]

It is difficult to not to fall in love with this model.

 

[JoeFilgas]

Impressive build!

Thanks so much!

 

[JoeFilgas]

It is difficult to not to fall in love with this model.

I totally agree it’s definitely a looker!

 

[JoeFilgas]

That is some kind of gorgeous! May she fly with nary a scar!

Thank you!

 

[ljwilley]

Awesome rocket, I agree they need to bring it back at least for a limited time!

 

[JoeFilgas]

Awesome rocket, I agree they need to bring it back at least for a limited time!

Thanks! I sent them pics and said I hoped they re-release it. They responded and said it would be brought up at an upcoming production meeting. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!

 

[ljwilley]

I wish I had that many fingers to cross!

 

[ljwilley]

I am planning on making my own little rocket company so if Estes doesn't do it...

maybe...

just maybe....

 

[JoeFilgas]

I wish I had that many fingers to cross!

We’ll take all we can get!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

We’ll take all we can get!

It'd be nice if they'd re-tool the capsule. The window is incorrect, at least. </pendant mode off>

 

[JoeFilgas]

It'd be nice if they'd re-tool the capsule. The window is incorrect, at least. </pendant mode off>

This would certainly be the opportunity to correct that.

 

[dpower]

Just getting around to reading this. Really nice work Joe, your attention to detail is superb. This thread will come in handy when I get around to building one of these. (When I retire!)