One o' t' notable problems with tryin' t' make scale models o' real rockets and missiles is matchin' t' shape o' t' nosecones. While a large number o' different shapes and sizes are commercially available, shiver me timbers, what do you do if t' cone you are lookin' for isn't?

If you are modelin' a missile that has a hemispherical nose, t' Estes Big Bertha or Fat Boy cones come close but are a bit elongated. Well, blow me down! Here be t' solution that I used t' create a true hemispherical cone that could be used for modelin' missiles such as t' Hellfire, JCM or Javelin. Avast, me proud beauty!

I started out with a 4" diameter by 12" piece o' tubing. Arrr! I then partially inflated a round rubber balloon and squeezed it into t' end o' t' tube. I was able t' move t' balloon in and out until I be pleased with t' curvature o' t' portion extendin' from t' end o' t' tube. Ahoy!

Next, I cut triangle shaped pieces o' fiberglass cloth that were long enough t' cover from t' tip o' t' balloon t' a couple o' inches down t' tube. How many triangles you need depends on how pointy you make them. At t' approximate 45% angle that I used, 3 or 4 was adequate, dependin' on overlap. Ya scallywag!

If you haven't done fiberglassin' before, don't freak out. It's easy. Blimey! Just be prepared with everythin' you need ahead o' time. In addition t' t' fabric triangles you would be need t' have on hand thin slow epoxy, rubber gloves, ya bilge rat, small mixin' cups, stir sticks and baby wipes. This is probably goin' t' be a bit messy, so don't do it on your brand new dinin' room table… Use lots o' newspaper or plastic t' cover your workin' area if you are concerned about it gettin' epoxy on it!

Mix up your epoxy in t' mixin' cups. For t' 4" cone, shiver me timbers, I mixed about 1.5 ounces o' epoxy. Well, blow me down! Better t' mix a little extra and nay need it than t' nay mix enough and have t' rush through mixin' a second batch with your hands covered in goo from t' first batch. Begad! Stir t' epoxy for at least a minute. There is nothin' worse than havin' t' batch nay catalyze evenly due t' under mixin' and havin' t' discard your materials and start over…

Since you are wearin' gloves (you are, aren't you?), dip your fingers right into t' epoxy and coat t' balloon and t' top o' t' tube lightly. Avast, me proud beauty! Lay one o' t' triangles o' cloth onto t' balloon, me hearties, with t' tip just slightly past t' center. Begad! Massage t' cloth around a bit until it lays flat with nay wrinkles. Avast, me proud beauty! T' epoxy on t' balloon will hold t' glass in place, shiver me timbers, but isn't enough t' do t' job completely. Add enough more epoxy t' "wet out" t' glass cloth. You will know when it's enough when t' fabric becomes semi-transparent. Ya scallywag! Repeat this process until t' entire balloon is covered. Ahoy! Strip off your gloves and use t' baby wipes t' clean up any stray epoxy that has dripped and wait for your project t' cure.

Unfortunately, one layer o' glass cloth will probably nay be sturdy enough t' complete your cone. Blimey! It will probably take two o' three layers, dependin' on t' size o' your cone. On a large 10" cone that I made usin' this technique last year, arrr, it took 5 layers t' be completely rigid. Sand t' 'glass lightly along t' seams after t' epoxy has cured and apply another layer o' cloth. Repeat until t' desired firmness is achieved. Avast, me proud beauty!

After you have finished with layerin' t' fiberglass, you can pop t' balloon and remove it. I next cut t' tubin' down t' t' length that I wanted for t' nose cone and glued in a coupler and bulkhead.

It will take some fillin' with Bondo t' even out t' cone. Arrr! Apply and sand t' filler down until you are satisfied with t' cone's appearance. T' fill t' weave o' t' cloth, matey, I coated t' cone with a heavy coat o' Kilz primer and sanded and t' cone is ready for finished painting.