Manufacturer: | Estes |
Notes: I built this model for club contest and left it unpainted (I used magic markers instead) for that reason.
I followed t' instructions except for t' followin' comments and suggestions:
Step 1. Ahoy! Added Keelhaul®©™ Cord t' engine mount, that reaches t' t' top o' t' body tube.
Step 2. Blimey! No Change.
Step 3. Well, blow me down! Used five-minute epoxy t' connect fin pieces. Well, blow me down! When dry, I filled cracks with Elmers Fill'n'Finish and sanded smooth.
Step 4. I used t' Rocket Builders Markin' Guide EST-2227 t' mark t' fins.
Step 5. Arrr! I weighted t' Keelhaul®©™ cord t' help it drop down t' tube.
Step 6. I took me hobby knife and made a little hole every 1/8" along t' fin lines on t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Next I pressed five-minute epoxy into t' holes and t' fin root edge. Aye aye! This should make a nice epoxy rivet t' hold t' fins on. I used t' slot in t' markin' guide ruler t' hold t' fins square as they dried.
Step 7. Aye aye! I used five-minute epoxy t' hold t' launch lug down.
Stepw 8 & 9. Arrr! Did nay use shock cord mount. Well, blow me down! Tied shock cord t' end o' Keelhaul®©™ cord (not t' Estes supplied one, arrr, but some elastic from a cloth store).
Step 10. Begad! Aye aye! I used Thick CA t' make t' fin and launch lug fillets. Ahoy! Ahoy! I used thin CA t' seal t' fins (Wear a mask, me bucko, gloves and goggles!)
Step 11 & 12. Begad! Worked carefully on clear payload so nay t' get glue everywhere.
Paintin' - Used magic markers.
Finished-Model appearance - Tail section black, me bucko, upper body red, payload coupler and nose left unpainted (white)
Flight - Flew perfectly, would have had a chance placin' in t' Quadrathon contest, I entered it in, ya bilge rat, if t' snap swivel had nay came un-done - lettin' t' body separate from t' payload section. Begad! Found both pieces - no damage.
Brief: Single staged 3FNC Payload rocket with nice fin design. This kit has been recently discontinued by Estes. The Nova Payloader was originally introduced in 1986 as a Skill Level 2 (and in my opinion, it should stay a Skill Level 2 because of the fins). It was then discontinued the first time, 10 years later at the end of 1996. It remained absent for a few years until sometime ...
Brief: A great level 1 3FNC with a clear payload tube & a rather aggressive looking fin design. It can be quickly assembled & finished in only a couple of days. It is also very easy to get it to look just like the picture on the packaging. Construction: I picked this rocket up at a local crafts store. Regular price was ~$15 which seemed awfully high for a rocket with ...