Thanks!

Lee-This was the first model where I got to try out the Tamiya tape you recommended. It worked really well.

Bill-I'm going to fly it on those new Quest composite D20 engines. Hoping to get some good photos to post.

My Nova Payloader snapped a fin on it's last flight and it's been sitting on the corner of my workbench ever since.
This fin was so solidly attached that I decided to just repair the damaged portion rather than replace it completely.
I know it's Rocket Repair 101, but I decided to include it in my thread since it's the first partial fin repair I've had to do.

The corner of a drafting square was used to mark a right angle and the broken end was removed.
This type of cut creates more glue surface area and produces a stronger joint than a perpendicular cut.
A paperboard pattern was made by tracing an existing fin. This was then taped to the backside of the damaged fin for reference.
Balsa scrap cut slightly oversize, with the wood grain oriented in the same direction, was glued in place with Titebond Blue.
More to follow once the glue dries.

Attached Thumbnails

         

The next step is to put my paper fin pattern over the repair and trace the final profile.
Excess balsa is cut away leaving the finished shape.
For a little added strength I mixed up some glue 50/50 with water and attached a thin kraft paper patch to both sides.
This paper covering is just slightly thinner than typing paper and doesn't fall apart when soaked in the glue and water mix.
The shape was made by tracing my fin pattern and then removing an additional 1/8" from the perimeter.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Once the paper covering was dry I lightly sanded with 400 grit to remove any raised fibers.
Exposed balsa around the edges that wasn't covered by the paper was coated with sanding sealer.
The red color of this model is a good match to the catalog photo but I don't have any left.

If I repaint the whole thing with a different red the portion under the decals won't match.
In keeping with the overall color scheme my choices are now to paint it black or white.
I went with white since I didn't have any gloss black either.

Two coats of white primer were followed by two coats of gloss white.
The decal was copied from the original and cut from black vinyl.
The nose cone was looking a little rough so I replaced it with a new one.
I'll sand the original and use it on another project that requires a painted nose.

Attached Thumbnails

   

All this discussion lately about X-wings and Star Wars models reminded me that I had a Proton Torpedo awaiting assembly.
Construction is Estes spec and the decals were printed on white label stock treated to a few coats of clear.
My thanks to Jack Hydrazine for creating the fin can file and Scigs30 for posting the decals.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Ditto! That looks pretty sharp! You are now ready for an attack on the Death Star! Wow, 44 years ago right now Star Wars was just starting to become really big movie news.

Who knew that all these years later the franchise would still be going?!

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

I had this one built and painted, but changed direction and turned it into a Guild Heighliner from the Dune Starter Set.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

I had it painted gloss black and had been planning to print off the hot pink scan onto self adhesive paper. Since the tube was already black, and silver applies best over gloss black, it was a simple transition. Before that it had sat in all black for about five years. I kinda think it was built with the remnants of a CATO'd Estes Skywriter and an orphaned cone, so cheap thrills.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

I think a big part of it's longevity was due to the rerelease of all the original movies and merchandising in the mid nineties. That introduced it to a new generation of fans. Now that Disney owns it they'll keep it going.
Without that well timed boost it may have just faded into the background.
I still remember seeing it for the first time on the big screen in '77.

I just had a Jack Hydrazine Thunderbird 1 nose cone printed and it looks great.
Now I can finally get that project off the drawing board and into the sky. Thanks, Jack!
Also added a couple Enerjet fin cans to the list because, well, you can never have too many.

Attached Thumbnails