Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 1, PartsEstes is reissuing the Crossbow SST kit. This is a downscale (sort-of) of the Satellite Interceptor without the short tubes on the main fins. I'm building a boxed kit version I picked up at WalMart in 2008. While this one is kit #7207, the new kit will be number 7234. I was surprised by how ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 2, Changes & Fin PrepThe engine hook is outside the minimum diameter BT-20 main air frame. I never cared for this look. I'll leave off the hook and retaining ring for a friction fit of the engine. The picture at the left shows how the notched fins fit over the retaining ring. On these three fins you can see ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 3, Body Tubes & CouplerThe tube cuts weren't perfect. Joined by the coupler inside you can see some gaps. The ends were sanded flat. The inset picture shows the better fit after truing up the tube ends. The coupler was dry fitted to see where the engine hook would sit. That's a pencil mark on the lower ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 5, More Fins!The instructions just say to glue on the Main Wings (Part J) It doesn't say how far from the rear. All the other measurements are in inches. After looking at the illustrations, I can assume the rear edge of the Main Wing is 2" from the rear end of the tube. The Main Wings are glued on at ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 4, Fins!The fins were filled with CWF and sanded smooth off the model. After that, a shot of primer filler and sanding. Above is a stabilizer fin (Part G) sprayed with primer filler. Below is the other stabilizer after the primer filler was sanded down. Here we go again! Another kit fin marking ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 6, Space Probes & Launch LugThey're just dowels, but the instructions call them "Space Probes". TIP: When cutting them to size, roll your knife over the dowel for only 1/2 turn. First roll forward for 1/2 turn of the dowel. Then roll back for 1/2 turn. If you just roll straight and long you have a good chance of the knife ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 7, DecalsLight coats of white followed, sanding between coats. Then the final heavier coat. This is an easy one to paint, it's just gloss white overall. There are a LOT of decals on this one. The decal placement picture in the instructions is vague. There is no wide purple band decal to go under ...[Read More]
Estes Crossbow SST #7207, FinishedI bought this one back in 2009 when WalMart was selling them as boxed kits. It was cheap, probably only $6.00 or $7.00 dollars. With Estes bringing back the kit, I pulled it from the build pile. The design is downscale based on the discontinued Satellite Interceptor. On the ...[Read More]
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