Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Sidekick #7287, Build Part 1, PartsEstes hasn't produced a cluster kit in a while. This one is different, two parallel tubes and two streamers for recovery. Estes does recommend using their Pro Series II Launch Controller for reliable cluster ignition. The fins on this one have a large surface area. This might help with a vertical ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 2, Prepping The RingsThe rings are glued together making three thick figure 8 rings. I used my #11 blade to carefully and cleanly remove the launch rod holes. Be aware of the launch rod holes being in line throughout the build. I applied glue to one side of the ring set and smoothed it out with a Q-tip. Be sure the ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 3, More Ring Prep and Tri-Fold MountsThe launch rod hole was rounded using a sharpened dowel. Press lightly and rotate the dowel. The outside edges were sealed with some medium CA. After it dried the edges were sanded smooth. For an easier, cleaner fit over the body tubes, the interior of the rings was burnished with a smooth, ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 4, Gluing The Centering RingsThis build is being done for Estes, so it should match the face card paint pattern. I thought it would be tough to mask the orange and yellow fins after they are glued on, so these will be slid into the centering rings after painting. They are larger fins and won't stand up on their root edges for ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 5, Paint, Shock Cords & StreamersThe black paint was scraped off the low end to glue on the engine retaining rings. I used the Beacon Fabri-Tac glue here for a strong bond between plastic and the Kraft tubes. The shock cord was tied off to the nose cone using a square knot. TIP: instead of cutting off the loose end, stuff it into ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 6, Upper Flame DecalThe second set of decals that Estes sent were a darker, richer shade of orange. I wanted the NC paint to match the orange in the decal. Remember, under the flame decal will be black paint. Even with the white undercoat under the orange ink on the decal, it can be a tricky match. The nose cones ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, Part 7, Decal Color Touch-upFrom the last post - The color match is close, but not exact. The flame decal is a little lighter than the nose cone paint. TIP: Some of the orange paint was sprayed into a small plastic cup. A Q-tip was dipped in the wet paint. Before rolling on the decal, the excess paint was wiped off on ...[Read More]
Estes Sidekick #7287 Build, FinishedOn the upper left, the engine retainer was glued on using the Becon Fabri-Tac glue. It is perfect for plastic to Kraft tube joints. This model was built for Estes. The fins are glued only at the ring positions. It would be hard to mask to match the face card illustration if I didn't paint the fins ...[Read More]
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