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MPC Lunar Patrol Build
Hi, ya’ll,
Being a BAR and one who enjoys writing and taking lots of cel-phone photos, it is only natural that I should try my hand at an illustrated model rocket build series. You can follow this one at my blog: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ I hope you will find it entertaining and informative. Enjoy!
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Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ Last edited by Blastfromthepast : 04-08-2017 at 04:35 PM. |
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I have one of these kits too; it will be interesting to see how someone else goes about building.
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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM |
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Cool!
Do you have one of the original MPC kits? The booster vehicle build is very straight-forward. No surprises there. The only parts that require extra care are with the gliders - getting the wings and fin aligned properly, and the elevons placed at the proper angles. Since these are delta wing gliders, trimming for a good glide path and pattern can be somewhat tricky. I would also recommend using spruce or plywood for the small stand-off pieces that connect the dowels to the nose cones. Balsa will work, but that is a high stress point, and also takes a beating if the gliders land on a harder surface. I remember I got tired of replacing missing dowels on my original gliders until I went with spruce stand-offs, covered with a layer of gauze and epoxy fillets. Have fun with this one!
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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Replacing critical pieces with harder wood sounds like a good deal.
I'm wondering how much and what sort of grain-filling to do on the wings. A coat or two of Balsa Fillercoat and leave it be? Or: Since this is a "stunt" kit and you won't be trying to set records with those gliders, make them nice and glossy looking?
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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM |
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I tend to think of the Lunar Patrol as a show/sport model that would justify putting a nicer finish on the gliders. I lump it in the same class as the Estes Orbital Transport.
Like you said, these are not designed to be record-setting, contest-grade gliders. I believe the object here is to make a model that would be a good shelf-queen as well as perform with reasonably good flight characteristics. As for my current Lunar Patrol build, the gliders are getting the full fill/finish/gloss sauce treatment. With careful trimming, the gliders can be made to fly adequately well. I'm definitely not expecting any fly-aways on thermals!
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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Hi, All,
Since I no longer maintain the blog on which I had originally began posting this build, I will re-start it here…. The first photo is of the remains of my original Lunar Patrol, built in 1973-4. It was the recipient of a defective MPC engine . The booster was totaled, but the gliders were still intact. In 1975, I scratch-built a new booster rocket out of Estes parts and re-named the model Lunar Patrol II. The original kit gliders were flown in this configuration. This model was flown many times until it was sold with the rest of my collection in 1985. And now, the BAR build - started in 2016.. Still substituting Estes parts, but building nearer to the original kit as possible. Since there are still minor differences, this version will likely be named Lunar Patrol III. First, the plan printouts from JimZ.. Fin and wing templates…. Body tubes cut to length – Main booster tube -12”, booster side tubes-3”, and the glider fuselages -6”. All convenient lengths. The nose cone is Estes which is very similar in length as the original MPC version. And a nice piece of C-grain balsa for the glider wings. Found this gem at Home Depot, of all places!
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Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ Last edited by Blastfromthepast : 02-26-2017 at 08:17 PM. Reason: pic attachments |
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__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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Part 4 now posted!
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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Part 5 is now posted on the blog!
See the link below....
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF ! Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here: https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/ |
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