Now for some technique to fill the slots.

Because the fins are indeed slot mounted into the BT55, I feel it's best to fill the slots before filleting to ensure the epoxy fillets don't seep into the slots. To do this I fill my glue syringe with undiluted Elmer's wood filler, screw on the metal nozzle, and then run a bead of filler into and over each slot and then wipe each one immediately with my finger.

After the wood filler is hardened I'll sand it and then apply epoxy fillets.

TBC

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

........and now with the little wing rudders, top strake, and the launch lugs all mounted the assembling of the JSC is nearly complete. I'll lay in the belly intake tube and the intake tube strake after I've filletated everything else.

Now for fillets. I'll use slow-cure 30 minute epoxy for the fillets because of the length of the fillets and the quantity of them. Also, I'll not filletize the joint line of the wings' undersides in the areas of where the intake tube mounts. I'll deal with that after the intake tube is mounted.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

How well/easy does the wood filler sand?

Earl

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

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

The wood filler sands easier than the wood.

TBC

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Alrighty! The (5) dowels are on. The belly air intake scoop and it's strake are on. Everything has been filletted with epoxy. The green plasticine has been stuffed into the PNC. I was originally going to use #8 lead shot in the nose but I have a very limited supply of the stuff, and this large amount of plasticine will actually fin inside the PNC (barely.) All leading edges have slightly rounded.

This B.A. naked Johnny Star Commander is now ready for sanding and finishing!

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

The JSC has now been treated with one sanded coat of diluted Elmer's wood filler, followed by (3) sanded coats of sanding sealer. Today was a rare day for painting: no wind and low humidity! The JSC has now been shot with a coat of gray primer.

TBC

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

The JSC is now in gloss white and with nearly perfect coverage. I'll let this dry and degas until tomorrow and then The Vixen has volunteered to paint some details.

TBC

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Looking great as always, I really like this rocket but not a fan of the red trim. I don't think it is the red itself but maybe just too much. Once again, your build looks great and I am sure the Vixen will do wonders on the trim. Is she still using a paint brush and Testors enamels?

Thanks for the compliments. Yes, she?ll be using her fox brushes and Testor?s Model Master enamels.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Jeffy-
Your builds are always genuine gems.
This one included.
GH

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, AGITATION, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, AGGRAVATION, INSTIGATION, NUISANCE-ACTION, and HAVOC !