Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 1, BackgroundHere's a rare one produced from 1983 - 84. I thought it would be different because of the card stock fin fairings. That rear canopy is another feature. For a while Estes had a few models with card stock flared ends like the Delta Wedge, #1931. After looking over the instructions on oldroc ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 2, PartsAll the parts were assembled from my spare parts stash. I didn't buy anything new. The only non-spare parts will be the printed card stock and decal sheets. Above you can see the new drawn fin pattern, shroud and canopy printed on 110 lb. card stock. The balsa fin stock should be 3/32" thick. The ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 3, FinsI didn't have any 3/32" balsa so I glued up some scraps to make a full sheet. Two of these pieces were leftover sides from some Estes kit laser cut fin sheets. After the glue dried the new flat sheet was sanded flat with a block. The low "Ventral" fin grain surprised me. That extension on the ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 4, Engine MountAnytime you get the black Letramax centering rings be sure to wipe down the laser burnt sides. Otherwise the black ash will get on everything it touches. Two 20/50 rings were laminated together to form a single thicker ring. Slide the rings down the engine mount tube for perfect alignment while ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 5, Engine Mount FittingBoth ends of the main tube got a wipe of medium CA glue. After it dried the hardened ends got a light sanding with 400 grit. The kit instructions have you glue in the mount so both tubes are even. On a 20/50 mount this doesn't allow enough space for engine hook movement without pressing against ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 6, Forming CardstockTo pre-emboss the folds in card stock I use the back side of a single edge razor blade. The rolled over metal is tight and rounded. Tape over the blade side with a few wraps of masking tape. TIP: Set the back embossing side of the blade down on the dotted line first. Then slide the ruler up to the ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 7, Primer and SandingThe balsa pieces were filled with CWF and sanded smooth. Here they were taped to cardboard for a shot of primer/filler. Shoot one side and let dry. You can flip them over and stick them down to the same piece of tape to spray the other side. Here's the body tube and nose cone after the pr ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 8, Trim and AntennaThere may have been some different shaped toothpicks in the original kit. I've never seen flat, curved toothpicks. I'll use the rounded ones I already have. The toothpicks were cut a little long so when glued on the end could overhang the back of the "post". The overhang was sanded even matching ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 9, Cleaning Up The UndercoatWhen the white undercoat dried I could see the glue fillets when held up to the light. These would show after the yellow color coats. All the shiny glue fillets got a light sanding with 400 grit. Any fuzzies on the card stock were also lightly sanded. There were still glue blobs on the fillet ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 10, Yellow Paint and DecalsThe model gets an coat of bright yellow. That's it! All yellow, no masking. I always shoot the inside areas that might not get full paint coverage first. Then shoot the entire model overall yellow. I printed up the decal scan that was on oldrocketplans.com. That print is on the left, the new ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 Build Part 11, Nozzle TrimThe back end of the fairings didn't get paint on the inside corners. Some of the same yellow used on the body was sprayed into a small cup. I went back with a brush and hit all the light areas. The nozzle was also yellow. I wanted to add a bit more trim. I pulled out the old roll of ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914, Part 12, Ends and EdgesThe underside of the model is too plain - just yellow! It needed a second color. I had some extra decals (I always print more than needed for occasions like this) and added the orange trim to the bottom of the wings. It's just enough to give the underside some interest. The top picture is the ...[Read More]
Estes Galactic Taxi #1914 FinishedThis was fun - except for the decals! The first print of the online scan couldn't be used. The print art was fuzzy. On the second print, cold temperatures prevented the clear coats from going on smooth. On a few of the decals, small specs of the print dissolved in the soak water. If they fit, ...[Read More]
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