Model Rocket Building Blog
MPC Vostok Build, Part 1 PartsRound 2 has brought back the MPC Vostok and Titan IIIC plastic models HERE . The re-release kit doesn't include any parts for flight. EDIT: The larger flight fins are included. The two piece molded launch lugs are still on the molded pieces. This build is the older version from the 1970s ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 2 More PartsSome interesting extras: An "If found, return to" label A generic decal sheet. Yellow insulation wadding. Many MPC kits would give you a piece of wadding in their kits. This wadding is not bio-degradable and shouldn't be used. The "fortune cookie" strip of paper explaining the Vostok ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 2A, Old MPC InstructionsFrom Anonymous, I received a comment about the interior booster pieces: "Just finished my build, let me know what you think about the disks and trusses that go into the booster pods, what's the point of these if you can never see them?" on MPC Vostok Build, Part 1 Parts Obviously, the new ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 3A, Engine MountMy kit box didn't have the brown tube so I substituted a yellow Quest engine mount tube. The engine block is glued in first and the tube is roughed up with sandpaper. My yellow tube was too wide to fit properly in the 20mm tube. I ended up cutting a slit down the side and removing a sliver ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 3B, Engine MountMy internal body halves were horribly warped! There is no way the engine mount tube would slide through. Even at the top the fit was bad. The halves had to be taped together to get this picture. The halves don't have any male and female pins. I decided to heat and mold the warped back end ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 5, Vostok CapsuleYou can build and fly either (or both) of the Vostok or Sputnik capsules. On the right are all the parts. Half of the capsule body is clear so you can see the Cosmonaut and detail inside. The Cosmonaut is glued into his chair and into the capsule. The small capsule glues on at an angle into ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 4, Booster AssembliesThe four booster halves are marked 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the inside. The fit wasn't good. The tops and bottoms were sanded reducing the open gap. After glue was applied the numbered halves were joined. The only way to force a good fit was to use wrapped rubber bands.[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 6, Vostok CapsuleThe lead weight glues into a recess at the bottom of the capsule. I won't be painting the cosmonaut and detail pieces inside the capsule. In the end the clear display half of the capsule will be painted. All the interior parts won't be seen. They are inside for the extra weight probably ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 7, Capsule Paint and MaskThe capsule got the first coats of Tester's MM flat Olive Drab. Even with all the prep, filling and sanding there was still open seams. This model just gets more frustrating. This time I filled the gap with medium CA dragged down the seam with a toothpick. After sanding the seam ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 9, Booster MaskThe four side boosters are white at the top and olive drab on the bottom. They weren't painted that way, the white is frozen condensation. I wasn't looking for a very sharp mask line, the ice would make for an inconsistent color separation. I used brown masking tape and didn't press the edge ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 8, Tower Parts PrepThere was mold flash on all seams of the tower grid pieces. Tops and bottom were sanded flatter for a better gluing surface. The inside tower edges were cleaned up with a knife. All segments were sprayed olive drab before assembly. There would be no way to paint them after gluing together ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 11, Gluing on the BoostersDon't do what I did and start by gluing the boosters first. You should glue the "link" chrome support struts on opposite boosters then glue the boosters on. Here's the chrome link" support piece. One way to explain this - These go on booster 1 and 3. The straight (no link) struts go on booster ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 10, Paint and GlueI should have glued these smaller pieces on before painting! There are four of the smaller triangular pieces right above the tower. I could only find two in the box! I'll leave them off. This model has been a pain to build and I don't feel it's worth making new pieces from scratch. ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 12, Painting the Nozzle PlateThe kit includes two different nozzle plates, the less detailed one is for flying version. It was painted overall with aluminum paint. The centers of the nozzle bells are painted gold. The bell interiors are round. I took the easy way out and used a Q-tip to paint them. Dip, wipe off excess and ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Build, Part 13, Nozzle Plate and Flight FinsThe instructions say to snap the nozzle plate onto the boosters. Mine wouldn't snap on. I could see where it was close, but not enough to stay on during boost. Look to the right of the lower launch lug and you'll see the open joint between the booster and nozzle plate. I bent the plastic ...[Read More]
MPC Vostok Finished!To be honest, this one was a disappointment. The plastic central core halves were badly molded. The fit of the booster halves was poor. The capsule will probably break apart on landing. The nose section shoulder is too loose. You'll be lucky to pack and have the 20" parachute ...[Read More]
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