Vintage Estes Maverick Build
 

Well, after trying to build the vintage Saturn V, I am back to building the easier faster vintage Estes kits. Today I started on the Estes Maverick kit, simple and fun. As you can see from the parts there are two launch lugs but only one is used in the kit. The balsa is the typical die crunched wood from back in the day, but I am ok with that. I like the days when Estes instructions were full of wording so anyone could build a rocket, very descriptive. Also like Estes used to recommend using balsa sealer vs primer only that is now recommended. On some Estes instructions they have you seal the balsa before gluing to the BT such as this model, then other kits they have you seal the balsa after building. For me I can seal the balsa much faster when the parts are off the rocket, only took 2 hours to seal and sand the fins. I am always amazed how smooth the balsa is after sealing and no real weight is added. Anyway she is all build in less than a day and tomorrow I will spray a light coat of primer. Should have her done in a couple of days.

Never mind. I've got a Mighty Moe clone that had paint issues. Same generation, and I have the decals for both kits from the same Ebay auction win. :o

In my opinion this is one of the best face cards ever. Thanks for sharing your builds, it’s preserving history as well.

I enjoy building these old classic kits, I only have a few hundred more to go and I am done. The current problem is Estes keeps coming out with new awesome kits I want :eek:

After 2 days she is ready for decals tomorrow. I did not have old formula Krylon so I decided to buy Rust oleum 2X for the green against my better judgement. I have tried this paint before and when it works it looks great and if not, well I have to remove the paint. No matter how long I shake the can for, sometimes the paint comes out flat and rough as shown in the picture. So as soon as it sprayed the cottage cheese I remove the paint, sanded, primed and went out to buy Testors green. I have never had issues using Testors but I was too lazy the first time to drive to the hobby store, rust oleum never again. Other than the green paint issue, the rest of the paint job went well.

Rustoleum lacquer is good but only comes in black, white or red. We are fast running out of decent rattle can paint thanks to GH's favorite California bullied federal dept, the EPA.

For real. I mean, what good is clean air and good breathing, if you can't build and decently paint model rockets! :(


Earl

Exactly! And NOW Estes has re-released the Black Brant II!

I used to use Rust Stop Rust oleum when I was younger and it worked fine, thank you EPA Rust Oleum for the crappy product. It is funny, because Rust Oleum now makes Testors paints and they spray just fine.

I'd heard that Rusto was now making Testors paints. I hope Testors enamels will still be foam-safe.