Here is a short build thread of the Estes Vagabond.
When I saw this kit for the first time I didn't think much of it. I found the fins to look kinda corny, I don't really know....
However when I started this build it quickly grew on me to the point where I am really liking it now
The build will be straight forward except for the following:
- The engine mount will be placed in the body tube in such a way that the engine hook will not tough the ground and the rocket will stand on all 3 fins.
- The rocket will get an ejection baffle (made by Sunward) so that recovery wadding will not be needed.
- The construction will use 5min epoxy exclusively.
The first step was to build the engine mount:
Next I assembled the baffle kit...
and then glued it inside the lower body tube:
I used 2 aluminum L-profile as a simple fin guide to glue the fins to the body tube. By doing so I get straight aligned fins. I just hate when a rocket rotates on flight, at least on mine.
All joints were strengthened by using 5min epoxy fillets (difficult to see in the picture):
With the body tube seams filled and the fins smoothed using sanding sealer the rocket is now ready for primer and paint:
When I saw this kit for the first time I didn't think much of it. I found the fins to look kinda corny, I don't really know....
However when I started this build it quickly grew on me to the point where I am really liking it now
The build will be straight forward except for the following:
- The engine mount will be placed in the body tube in such a way that the engine hook will not tough the ground and the rocket will stand on all 3 fins.
- The rocket will get an ejection baffle (made by Sunward) so that recovery wadding will not be needed.
- The construction will use 5min epoxy exclusively.
The first step was to build the engine mount:
Next I assembled the baffle kit...
and then glued it inside the lower body tube:
I used 2 aluminum L-profile as a simple fin guide to glue the fins to the body tube. By doing so I get straight aligned fins. I just hate when a rocket rotates on flight, at least on mine.
All joints were strengthened by using 5min epoxy fillets (difficult to see in the picture):
With the body tube seams filled and the fins smoothed using sanding sealer the rocket is now ready for primer and paint:
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