Just couldn't resist getting the Leviathan at Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon. I have built several Estes kits in the past, the most recent being a Big Daddy. I will pursue my L1, but thought this would be a good intermediate (and relatively inexpensive) step to improve my building and flying skills. Here's what I am thinking and a few questions.
1) I want to flip the fins upside down for a different look - would need to cut off a small wedge from each fin so they are flush with the aft end of the tube. I will put this into OpenRocket to look at CP/stability.
2) Plan on using epoxy, not wood glue.
3) Going to get the CTI 29mm 3-grain starter set (largest motor I have flown is a black powder E).
4) I have never worked with plywood fins. Do you still use some sort of filler (like you do with balsa) to get a smooth finish?
5) What are the thoughts on flying this on an H for my L1 if all goes well with the build and preliminary F/G motor flights?
6) Plan on ditching the elastic shock cord and looking for different nose cone attachment instead of molded plastic "loop".
Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks.
1) I want to flip the fins upside down for a different look - would need to cut off a small wedge from each fin so they are flush with the aft end of the tube. I will put this into OpenRocket to look at CP/stability.
2) Plan on using epoxy, not wood glue.
3) Going to get the CTI 29mm 3-grain starter set (largest motor I have flown is a black powder E).
4) I have never worked with plywood fins. Do you still use some sort of filler (like you do with balsa) to get a smooth finish?
5) What are the thoughts on flying this on an H for my L1 if all goes well with the build and preliminary F/G motor flights?
6) Plan on ditching the elastic shock cord and looking for different nose cone attachment instead of molded plastic "loop".
Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks.