Ye Olde Rocket Forum - View Single Post - Centuri Fighter Fleet

This clone (and subsequent Fleet clones) will have several 3D printed parts. The nose cone and canopy are ready. The canopy still needs some work which I am in the process of as we speak.

Fuel Drop Pods -
The pod pictures recently provided to me have helped with getting these pods to look very close to the original, although slightly different since I never liked the original shape. Have experimented with making the parts and making them as thin as possible without compromising integrity. The parts are designed to fit and line up when put together. I am very happy with the results. The hole on the "BT" serves two purposes: 1) to introduce a toothpick to help handle it while painting the pod, and 2) to mark the center of the BT and align with the middle of the tail fins so that once painted I know where to glue it to the pod support and keeping the "fins" as horizontal as possible (using the eye alignment method.) I plan to also design a second set of pod NC and Tail so that they would fit on an Estes BT-5.

Since the model is all white I was thinking of painting the fuel pods a very light gray to break with the one color monotony... but I am having problems getting the light gray here in Colombia. Most of the spray can colors I can find are only basic colors and the gray is too dark as you can see in the picture. Hobby shops here barely cater to hobbyist when it comes to paint and supplies. Plenty of models to build but hard to find the right colors. Airbrush is an option. In the meantime I have been experimenting with what I have when it comes to paint.

Missiles -
The original set of missiles were simple: a small NC and a basic fin tail... on other kits issued after the Fighter Fleet the missiles resembled the Sidewinder. I have ventured in getting some 3D models online then adapting them for the F-16. After experimenting I have decided to print a NC and tail sections and use a launch lug for the body instead of printing the entire missile... less sanding and finishing. It is also hard to get details at that size with my 3D printer. I have been able to create the NC and Fin tails with a good fit for launch lugs. I know the missile pictures do not look good but I know they will look great once finished and added to the F-16 clone...

An idea running through my mind is to add a second set of missiles under the wing. Wing tip missiles would look like the Sidewinder and the 2nd set would be a different missile. This idea is still under consideration.