Orbital Transport Update...

  

Finally, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel (not that of an oncoming train) on this project.

Two weeks ago, both sections of the model received their finish coats of gloss white spray, top surfaces only.

I am determined to go with a radically different color scheme from the usual all-white.

The intervening time has been spent brush-painting the undersides of the vehicles.

The booster gets a 1:4 mix of black and white to get a nice grey color, while the orbiter wing gets a black covering.

After this, some creative masking and painting of the nose cones are in order.

Finally, some silver trim on the ram jet tubes and other details will be applied.

Stay tuned...

 

Back In The Day, Part 33 - A Very Funky Citation Patriot

 As I was writing yesterday's post about the newly built Citation Patriot, I was reminded that, somewhere in my photo files, I had a picture of one of the original Patriots that a Skywatchers/ROMAR member had flown at a sport meet in Colorado Springs sometime around 1975 or so.

I found that photo.  Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture?

Yep, you got it.....the fins were glued on wrong!

Apparently, this model must have been built by a younger member or a visitor.  

One who wasn't versed in the 'grain runs with the leading edge' rule of model rocket building.

My question is:  Where was the acting club RSO for this one?

Fortunately, I don't remember the outcome of this flight....

BAR Fleet #128 - Citation Patriot

Source: Estes Industries

Kit # 000652

Sport Model - Single stage 

18mm motor type

Diameter: 41.5mm

Length: 65.5cm

Empty weight: 89.2g

Nose: 4 caliber tangent olive

Fins: (3) modified tapered swept.

Color Scheme: white, black, with gold, red, and blue trim.

Date completed: September 24, 2020

A Classic Estes Model Rocket

The new Patriot kit was a Christmas present last year from one of my daughters, but I just now got around to building it.  Even though I greatly admired the rocket back in the old days, one was never built as part of the fleet.

This model was a lot of fun to build.  The original intent was to install a 24mm motor mount, however, since the lion's share of my flying is done on smaller fields, I stuck with the stock 18mm version.  I still anticipate that it will be a kick to fly on B and C motors, perhaps taking a keychain cam along for the occasional ride.

One item of note: while most of the model was painted with spray enamel, the single black fin was brush painted with gloss black acrylic.  It takes a really close examination to detect any difference in the two finishes!

I am increasingly becoming a fan of brush painting model rockets, and will likely be choosing that method for other upcoming builds.

I highly anticipating seeing this Patriot in flight!

Yet Another Shop Project

 Having on hand a second surplus cabinet shelf identical to the one used for the laptop workbench, I came up with another rocket-building application:

With the addition of a couple of 1x3 poplar boards screwed to opposite bottom edges, the shelf became a dandy project surface for the BlastFromThePast La-BOR-atory microscope!

The table surface is at the right height to place objects at the bottom of the instrument's focusing range.

The addition of a clamp-on desk lamp completes the project.

I now have a great work surface on which to perform precision marking and cutting operations for several upcoming scale and plastic conversion projects.

The fixture will also be useful for other purposes as well - examining tiny details and variations on collectable postage stamps and coins, tiny electronics soldering tasks, and one of my favorites - extracting those irritatingly minute wood and metal slivers that I seem to consistently and painfully get stuck in my fingers!

With grand-kiddos around quite often, the microscope will likely get pressed into service to look closely at such things as dead bugs and slides containing pond water complete with all the little critters swimming therein.

But, mostly, it's for rocket stuff....

A Minor Hobby Lobby Gripe...

 Don't get me wrong here - I am generally very happy that Hobby Lobby stores carry Estes model rocket products, and that I have a local store here in Castle Rock, Colorado a mere mile and a half from my home.

I like that there are rocket kits exclusive to HL that are unavailable elsewhere.

My concern is with the greatly reduced selection of motor types available.

It is understandable that, with the new order of things between Estes and Hobby Lobby, an attempt is made to match motor types with the selection of kits hanging on the nearby pegs.  

This is all well and good, and the most commonly used motor types: A8-3, B6- 4, and C6-X are readily available.  

But I have noticed the disappearance of several motor types that I have been accustomed to purchasing frequently at Hobby Lobby in the past: 1/2A -2T, A10-3T, A10-0T, and any of the other 18mm zero delay booster motors smaller than a C6.

In my opinion, it would be nice to see a more rounded selection of motors on the peg board at Hobby Lobby.

Besides the types mentioned above, it would be cool to also have a D12-0, D12-7, the little 1/4A mini, and maybe even the new C5s.

We'll wait and see as things unfold.

Gripe over.....

Rocket Building Mobility

Last weekend, a little time was spent in the BlastFromThePast shop in order to build a quick rocket building accessory:

This is a small portable laptop 'workbench' made from a surplus cabinet shelf.

This project was driven by desire to work on model rockets somewhere else around the house apart from the deep, dark, and mysterious basement la-BOR-atory. 

With this device, I can hang out in the living room with the Missus while she's watching her movies/TV shows, work on models while keeping an eye on the football games, or enjoy the outdoors on the back deck.

The 15x18 workspace includes sides and tool compartments made from Home Depot paint stir sticks, a plastic small-parts container, and a removable stop on the front of the panel to keep things from falling off.  The tool holder features a block of hard foam in which to stick frequently used modeling tools.

With this workspace, I've been able to perform many model building operations including fin cutting, model marking and assembly, brush painting, decaling, parachute construction - anything that doesn't require sanding or use of stinky paints/glues, or is otherwise messy.

Gotta keep Mrs. BFTP happy, you know.

Aside from building rockets, the work board has been useful as well for LEGO building and tinkering with other small projects.

It's quite surprising to see how much can be accomplished on such a compact workspace.

The best aspect, though, is the added time for rocket building that the device affords.

Glider Trimming Day!

 Today's weather forecast showed nearly non-existant wind conditions, making it a great time to get out to a park and trim the newly built Wasp for glide.

So, lunchtime was spent on the grassy expanse of Redstone Park in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  The park is only a two minute drive from my workplace.

Armed with the Wasp and a chunk of trim clay, it took a dozen or so tosses to get it to glide beautifully.  I couldn't get it high enough to see exactly what its turn radius is - that may have to wait for adjustment after a maiden flight under power.

Nevertheless, all indicators point to a well-performing boost/glider.

I suspect the real challenge for this model will be avoiding another fly-away loss!