This project is a build o' t' BMS - Astron Drifter, a clone o' t' Estes Drifter. I got t' BMS kit for Christmas. I really liked t' Drifter as a kid so I ordered some additional parts from Semroc so that I could build 2 Drifters at t' same time. Blimey! Below is a shot o' t' Astron Drifter from one o' t' old Estes catalog. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' BMS kit includes everythin' you need t' recreate this great rocket except t' decals so I ordered 2 sets from Excelsior Rocketry. Below be t' BMS kit along with t' extra parts I ordered from Semroc. Blimey!

For t' shroud I am usin' 100 lb. bristol board. Avast! Blimey! 100 lb. weight may be a little on t' thick side but if I get it t' roll without creasin' t' shrouds will be nice and sturdy. Begad! Blimey! I cut t' strips that serve as t' glue tab and glued them on t' inner side o' t' shroud so that t' seems will be flush.

T' 2 shrouds are done and test fit pretty well into t' body tubes. Ahoy!

T' shrouds have been attached t' t' body tubes.

Here is a shot showin' t' seams. I will glue one o' t' fins on t' seam so it will nay show on t' finished rocket.

For t' fins I am usin' 1/16" basswood instead o' balsa. One o' t' BMS clone die cut balsa fins is shown with t' sheet o' basswood below. Arrr!

Here is a shot o' t' 6 fins. Arrr! T' BMS fin template did nay fit me shroud-body tube joint as well as I wanted so I made me own on a piece o' t' bristol board. Begad! I used this new template as a guide t' cut out t' fins.

T' fins seem t' fit t' body tube and shroud fairly well. Begad! I still need t' sand t' fins.

T' fins are glued on and ready for epoxy fillets..

Fins bein' masked in preparation for t' epoxy.

Fins and tube spirals covered with Elmers Carpenter's Wood Filler

Both rockets were primed with filler primer

Paintin' t' rockets. T' fins still need t' be painted t' same blue as t' nose cones.

Here is a closeup

Maskin' off t' white in preparation for spray paintin' t' fins

Both rockets are painted and I am ready t' apply t' decals. Avast! T' decals I ordered from Excelsior Rocketry arrived a while back. They do a great job makin' t' decals and they will be t' perfect finishin' touch for me Drifters.

T' decals are on and t' Drifters look great. Avast!