Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 1, PartsBig and Burly. The parts are standard and of good quality. Parts of interest: The big PNC-60AH black plastic nose cone. Two very short launch lugs Gold and black decal sheet (more of this in the next post) Red and blue stars and bars decals (the red bars are the original kit length. They were ...[Read More]
Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, BackgroundThe original Estes Patriot was part of the Citation line of rocket kits from Estes. These models were packaged to reach a larger audience, aimed at department stores where boxed kits would stack on a store shelf. MPC sold their rockets in a box, much like their plastic model kits. Centuri also ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 2, More PartsIt doesn't look like Estes is using spring steel engine hooks anymore. This one was bent and did not spring back. For me, it's useless. Every time an engine is inserted you could bend the hook away from the engine casing. After a while there isn't strong retention and the engine could eject. ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 4, Engine Mount and KevlarThe instructions show the upper centering ring almost even with the end of the stuffer tube. I glued the ring about 3/16" down from the top for a better fillet. I would have liked to do a replaceable Kevlar mount but the space between the rings was too wide. I could have probably used an launch ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 3, Nose Cone PrepThe nose cone mold seam was slight, both sides of the cone were pretty well aligned. I started with a flat file then moved to 220 grit sandpaper. The remaining recess was filled with a bead of medium CA glue. 220 grit followed then 400 grit smoothed it out. I would prefer to use Squadron Putty. It ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 5, Engine Mount and KevlarHere's another one of those steps that could be confusing for a first time builder. It looks like the upper bead of glue is being applied to the outside of the body tube. I obviously goes inside, but no glue bottle is going to reach that far in. GOTCHA: Putting a ring of glue at the back end of ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 6, Chute Lines and Fin GluingI almost don't want to tug test on the shroud lines. If they break easily I'll replace them with #10 cotton embroidery thread. They broke! I'll usually work on the pre-assembled parachutes. The shroud line tie hole is always a rough punched tear in the sheet. The rotary punch makes a cleaner ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 7, Paint and MaskingEarlier on, the main BT-60 tube seams were filled with CWF and a shot of filler/primer. The seams were filled. The picture shows the tube after light sanding of the first white coat. On this tube there were secondary seams underneath the glassine layer. They aren't as deep but wider than the ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 8, Cleanup and Decal QuestionTIP: Mister Clean Magic Sponges will take off most light paint over sprays. On the left is the before, the right side is after the black smudge was removed. Go light with the magic sponges. They are abrasive and could remove more paint than you would want. Here's the mask line of the one black ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 9, Decal AlignmentThe registration of the blue shield and red bars were slightly out of line. I decided to cut these apart and try to line them up when transferring to the model. The vertical USA decals are applied on opposite sides of the tube. Line the first USA decal up, centered above the black fin. A strip of ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 10, Decal ProblemHere's another decal you should position dry before soaking. Notice how the the lower tips of the blue and red diagonal bands match the lower corners of the fin trailing edges. GOTCHA: The white Estes logo is in the wrong position on the right side decal. To fit the fin shape it'll have to be cut ...[Read More]
Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, FinishedThis was a fun build, bringing back some fond memories. The body tube recess seams were disappointing. They did show through on the finished model. I've read where Estes should fix the logo placement fin decals in the next run of kits. This rocket should be perfect with the new Quest-Jet C and D ...[Read More]
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