Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Constellation Build Part 1, PartsThe finished model is now being auctioned on EBAY! http://www.ebay.com/itm/151095540173?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Support the blog and make a bid! Here's a classic, the Estes Constellation. It was Kit #K-35 This is one of the Semroc X-kits. No ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 2 Engine MountInstead of a tape wrap, an engine strap is cut from printed card stock. This wrap almost goes all the way around. I marked the center and set that right over the engine hook. TIP: I always turn the printed side in, especially on shrouds. Sometimes paint won't cover the wording printed on the ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 3 Engine MountOnto the forward centering ring - I'll be using some 150 lb. Kevlar in addition to a longer replacement shock cord. The forward centering ring was notched with the side of a small rectangular file. The Kevlar will loop through this notch. The old instructions have you glue the rings ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 4 Fin Tip PodsI was never happy with the way my fin tip "pods" came out. Trying to form a teardrop pod at the end of an airfoiled fin is hard enough. Trying to form the pod out of three laminated pieces of balsa makes it even harder. This time I wanted to make the fin and pods separately. Making the pods ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 5 Fin Tip PodsAfter the front is shaped, the dowel is cut to length. The rear of the teardrop pod is carved and sanded smooth. Here's a finished pod next to one of the three laminate balsa pieces. Each dowel pod carving took 25 minutes to make. Note: After the pod was made I checked the dowel thickness ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 6 Fin Tip PodsBoth sides of the dowel pod were sanded flat to match the thickness of the three layer kit fins. The flattened side edges were rounded again. The dowel pod was set on the fin edge matching up the top, bottom and sides. A fine pencil line was drawn around the side. The fin pod was ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 7, Fin AirfoilThe old Estes instructions tell you to airfoil the fins. That rounded tip on the rear root edge could be a problem. Sand it down to a sharp taper and you run the risk of it easily breaking off. The fin drawing in the instructions show a shading that suggests the shape penciled in at the right. ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 8, Fin AirfoilI used the rounded side of my old sanding block with 400 grit to sand the recess at the rear trailing edge. This seemed to be the best way to get a round concave shape. Here's how that sanded recess looked after sanding. You can see how the trailing edge tip remains thick and less likely ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 9, Fin Pod GluingEach fin will be individually fitted. Draw a line on the side of the pod side that will be glued to the fin. Mark the outside edge of the fin with a "1" and the matching pod "1". Match the edges of the pod and the outside curved edge of the fin. Lightly trace around the side of the pod. ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 10, Nose Cone and Adapter DetailsOn the left is the nose cone and adapter from the Semroc kit. You'll see these shoulders through the clear payload section when the model is finished. I usually sand these flat then round the edges. On the right is the dry fitted payload section with the rough ends smoothed out. TIP: To get ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 11, Odds and EndsThis lug standoff probably isn't needed, the payload section isn't wider than the low end tube. This style of standoff goes back to when Estes sold it's "C Rail". The dowel standoff fits the C Rail launch rod. TIP: A BT-50 tube reinforcement coupler was made out of a split ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 12, Primer SandingHere's the body tube and nose cone after the primer filler was sanded down. The nose cone was slipped into the body tube for primer painting. The clear payload section will be trim painted later. The fin and fin pod transition joints looked pretty good after spraying with the primer ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 14, Fin GluingThere is a light paint ridge where the fillet area was masked. Lightly sand the ridge line with 400 grit sandpaper. The fins were glued on using my prototype Odd'l Rockets FinTool. The fin trailing edge is even with the back end of the body tube. The rear end of the launch lug is even with the ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 13, Fin PrepBefore spraying a white coat to check for flaws, a small bit of the root edge was masked off. This was to keep some of the fillet area clear for a stronger fillet. After a light coat of gloss white the tape was removed. You can see the fillet area is clear of white paint. The pencil fin lines ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 15, Payload Tube PaintingThe face card shows the upper and lower ends of the clear payload tube painted black. The black paint will cover up the balsa shoulders on the nose cone and nose block. On the left is the line mask using the marker drawn Scotch tape. The center was covered with masking tape. It's hard to ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 16, Single Black Fin MaskI wanted the model to match the old catalog pictures. The Semroc face card shows all three fins in white. One fin should be black. For the red and black "1" decal to show up on the black, I'll add a white edge to the decal in the next post. This is not not easy to do, plan your finish after ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 17, White Trim on the "1" Decal TIPThe "2" and "3" decals were applied. I drew up a simple paper wrap that folded over the leading edge for easier positioning. This folded piece and pencil marks are identical on both sides. These numbers were set down a bit, closer to the landing pads as shown on the catalog page. Now the ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation Build Part 18, White Trim on the "1" Decal TIPBefore soaking the trimmed red decal - Have a sheet of decal paper sprayed with gloss white paint. This will be used for the white edge. Spray a clear sheet with white getting full coverage. Let dry thoroughly. No clear coat is needed on the white sheet, the white paint seals the ...[Read More]
Estes Constellation FinishedA real classic, available from Semroc as an X Kit. I finally got the landing pods right this time! I was never happy with my first attempts carving them out of balsa layers. The white edged "1" decal looks good against the single black fin. It was worth the extra effort. The nose ...[Read More]
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