I noticed that the ramjet fin is not wide enough for the launch rod to clear the NC so I increased the width. This version has the corrected ramjet fin.

I also noted that I cut the ramjet fin wrong: the wood grain goes along the root, making it easier to snap off. The original instructions have you cut that fin or "stand" with the wood grain along the root but I do not trust that. Will have to conduct some "surgery" to remove the offending fin and replace it with a newer, wider fin...

Attached Files

EAC Firecat BT-55 Upscale.rkt (91.5 KB, 15 views)

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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I pointed out to a friend of mine today how fragile are the fin joints on this rocket and that my Firecat already had suffered a broken fin. He suggested that the next time I build fins like these to make tabs on the fins to interlock them. So I got to work on the sim file and came up with something that may work.

In the sim all fins patterns can be independently printed, for a total of eight patterns. So I took one set of fins and added tabs to the patterns. Now if you choose to use this sim you can print your fin patterns with interlocking tabs or not.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

EAC Firecat BT-55 Upscale Version 2.rkt (91.7 KB, 10 views)

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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Raul,

I too like to use epoxy for thin fillets on models where I want some added strength. For most builds, I've found Titebond Trim and Molding Glue to be excellent for fillets, too, and it doesn't run or drip. I think Titebond may have changed the name, and they have more glues than I can keep track of now, but it is still marketed as glue for trim and molding work.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

At NARAM-42, Los Angeles rocketeer Mario Anleu built an upscale EAC Firecat using a nosecone from an Estes Maxi Honest John kit.

The model flew great!

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

I have an Estes Maxi Honest John kit and a friend of mine has been begging me to do an upscale Firecat with the NC and BT... maybe next year. I did see the pictures for that Firecat and I think I saved copies as inspiration for my 1:1 clone. That one looks very nice!

It seems that there are not many of these around (1:1 or upscale), not many build threads either.

For now I finished the part that I hate most: Sanding...

Today did the red and white paint job using Kryon (the 12 minute dry time one) Gloss White and Krylon (new formula) Red Gloss Banner Red. Masked the edges with 3M Precision Masking Tape, #06525... really good stuff! Now it is hanging on the trusty paint stick until next weekend. A few mistakes but once the paint is cured, I will give it a light polish with 3M Finnesse-it II to remove some of the red overspray and smears then to work on the decals. Will have to dust off the old ALPS printer and the old Windows XP laptop to run the printing. Yes, I do keep a few Windows XP computer around, they do come in handy for ALPS printing due to the printer port.

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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... One step left to finish the Upscale Firecat. Printed the decals with my Alps MD-1000. Gave two coats of Krylon Workable Fixatif then two coats of the Krylon Clear, the one that us non-yellowing. Left to dry for two day then proceeded to apply the decals tonight. Will give it about two more days then coat it with Krylon flat clear. I like how it turned out. I would have re-position some of the decals but too late now. Let me know what you think.

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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The more I look at it the more I am tending to go for a glossy coat instead of a flat clear coat... Let me see what I think in two days about this...

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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Does the Firecat represent a target drone or a cruise missile in test phase? If the former, gloss. If the latter...gloss.

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I love sanding.

Good one "T"... I have them side by side at my desk on identical stands... and they look good in gloss... May drop them at my local hobby shop to be displayed for a while and see the reaction of fellow hobbyists.

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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Very cool build Raul. Thanks for sharing.

Buzz

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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati