Estes Viking Build

[Cody Webster]

Building an Estes Viking to get back in the swing of things. I got a bulk pack of these rockets on clearance, the viking bulk pack fins are made of card stock so I cut some copies out of some balsa. Im doing 3 fins configured as the bottom 2 fins are shown. I do have a few questions I need help with, Whats the best method to attach my kevlar in this rocket? (18mm body tube no motor mount) Use the trifold paper but just use kevlar? Should I use a length of the elastic cord between the kevlar and nose cone? Would rear ejection be a good idea? Any tips and advice welcome.

 

[Amsterdam]

I like to tie Kevlar cord to the engine block instead of the trifold method. if you're worried that Estes block won't have enough material to notch and stay secure a 1/4 inch piece off a spent motor works pretty well

 

[Cody Webster]

Make a notch around the motor block and attach like so?

 

[Amsterdam]

Like so! Haha. This is obviously not notched. Theres pictures here on the forum. Searching "attaching shock cord" or shock cord mount should get some better/ finished examples.
Be sure to check out animated knots too for when you tie it. I like the Duncan uni


edit: Notched might not be the best word. Channel? You want it so the cord on the outside of the block sits flush and can fit in the body tube.

 

[Cody Webster]

 

[Cody Webster]

Sorry, I havent figured out how to get my pics to upload correctly.

 

[Cody Webster]

 

[Viking]

The 'classic' look is the way to go
Teabag with elastic cord has never failed me for these small birds. I do use twice as long elastic as supplied by estes though.

 

[Cody Webster]

The 'classic' look is the way to go
Teabag with elastic cord has never failed me for these small birds. I do use twice as long elastic as supplied by estes though.

I have 11 more of these birds, So next one I will plan on the classic scheme. This ones gonna be a little different, will part out most of them and build 4 or so viking variations. I have epoxied my motor block in, I used 5 minute epoxie on this block and It feels very solid. I was thinking I would double the size of the stock shock cord, half (epoxied in with motor block) kevlar, then tie on the supplied piece of elastic. I can always replace the elastic and may take some of the ejection charge shock off of the whole ejection system.

 

[Cody Webster]

 

[Cody Webster]

 

[JERRYR708]

I used the fin configuration #2 on the chart for my NARTREK Bronze award on the streamer and parachute duration and the 2 stage flight. I since made another with #7 pattern on the chart.

 

[Cody Webster]

I used the fin configuration #2 on the chart for my NARTREK Bronze award on the streamer and parachute duration and the 2 stage flight. I since made another with #7 pattern on the chart.

That chart? (Sry I cant figure out how to upload the picture where its not sideways). The way I did my fins Idnt on the chart, I hope its not unstable. I like #2, reminds me of a Custom Atw rocket I had, flew great.

 

[JERRYR708]

I rotate my pictures to my liking first and then I upload them on the forum. That is indeed the chart I was referring to. I cut out the arrow decals and spray painted them before applying them to match the nose cone and it turned out nice.

 

[Cody Webster]

My computer is down at the moment, so im doing all my uploading from my cell phone. Every picture I have posted in this thread was taken as portrait, but every one of them uploaded as landscape. I confused lol.

 

[JERRYR708]

I use a camera with an editing feature on my computer. It allows me to rotate picture left or right or crop them etc. I do all of this first before uploading them to the forum.

 

[Cody Webster]

Has anyone had problems mounting the launch lug next to a fin where the fillet goes? Some builds I dont mind the lug on the bt as suggested in the directions, but I would like this one next to the fin. Will this keep the rocket from flying straigt?
P.s. I just realized I meant to post this in a thread on an estes Wizard Im building, the lug on this viking has already been mounted.

 

[JERRYR708]

The rocket has a CG balance point and if you move the lug, it could effect the rocket as it makes it's way off the launch rod and overall performance. I would go by the instruction if it were me.

 

[JERRYR708]

I display my rockets with their best fin forward. All lugs, decal wrap seams, rail buttons, and engine retainer hooks go to the rear.

 

[Cody Webster]

The rocket has a CG balance point and if you move the lug, it could effect the rocket as it makes it's way off the launch rod and overall performance. I would go by the instruction if it were me.

Thats what Im going to do then, definetly want good straight flights.

 

[Cody Webster]

Applied my filler mixture after 4 layers of wood glue fillets. If the weather is well tomorrow I may be able to lay some primer down.

 

[TopRamen]

Looking good!

Sometimes my favorite part is when they are in primer!

 

[gpoehlein]

With the fins in that configuration, you will want to watch the CG, especially with larger, heavier motors. With only three fins mounted that way, it could be unstable with a C6.

 

[Cody Webster]

With the fins in that configuration, you will want to watch the CG, especially with larger, heavier motors. With only three fins mounted that way, it could be unstable with a C6.

Thanks for the advice Greg! I was wondering about that. Would some clay in my nosecone help any?

 

[Cody Webster]

Got my filler sanded down. Had a little too much glue in my mix so it was a booger to sand, but the filler is very strong and bonded very well. Everything is pretty smooth, gonna try to get some primer on it so I can continue body work.

 

[JERRYR708]

Here's my completed Viking. I copied the Estes packaging, but with a darker green. I also painted the decals to match the nose.

 

[Cody Webster]

View attachment 288161View attachment 288162
Here's my completed Viking. I copied the Estes packaging, but with a darker green. I also painted the decals to match the nose.

Looks great Jer! Did yours have waterslide decals or stickers? The bulk viking has stickers, but I also have a real viking I bought a while back. Im gonna have to do the viking justice by building it like yours and the pic on package lol. Dunno if I could even call this build a viking technically.

 

[Cody Webster]

Been busy so Havent got much more done on mine, just some primer and more body work. Will hopefully have her finished up end of this weekend.

 

[JERRYR708]

Mine also has stickers, not decals, sorry. I guess if they were decals, they may not have slid off easily due the the paint. This viking is my shelf queen. I will upload my viking warrior that I used for my duration flyer.

 

[JERRYR708]

First picture of my Viking used for my Parachute and streamer duration. Second picture of the Viking with the second stage that I hand made with rolled up paper for the tube and wood fins. I only primed everything to keep things light and minimal smaller fins helped. I like the upswept fins for landings on that hard crust surface at the dry lake.