I got quite a bit more done of the X-34 and I took bunches of pictures, but unfortunately I forgot to install the memory card in my camera so I really didn’t take any photos of each step.

Those tapered pieces on the top of the fuselage started out as one large block of balsa. I first cut the top round contour of the fuselage into the block then proceeded to cut the top and side views of the needed part out and you end up with two tapered sections. A little spackle and you’re done.

For the rudder I simply sandwiched two pieces of 1/4?” balsa over a center piece of 1/16”, drew the airfoil sections on the root and tip and cut and sanded away everything that didn’t belong.

My original wing was going to be built up, I then figured why not cut a foam core and sheet it and I then said no lets just stack some 1/8” and ¼” sheets of balsa together until I have a block thick enough for the wing. I again simply drew the root and tip airfoil on the balsa and cut and sanded everything that wasn’t supposed to be there. Next the bottom of the fuselage was cut away and sure enough the fuselage is lighter now then before I added those two tapered balsa blocks. As seen in the image the entire model weighs in at 8.4 ounces. This bird should be less than 16 ounces ready to fly minus the motor.


John Boren

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Beautiful project. Clearly well thought out, with superb craftsmanship. What are you planning on the nozzle end?

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AP used in 2010: 28,044 Ns (36.9% O)
AP used in 2011: 43,488 Ns (6.2% P)
Highest altitude achieved: 21,981' AGL

"Gravity is a cruel and unpredictable mistress"

I will make a nice big scale size nozzle. I scaled the model to be large enough to fit a 29mm motor and have the screw on motor retainer inside a scale size nozzle.


John Boren

Wings and tail built up or solid?

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If it flies, I can crash it!

ALL solid. To simple to do to not do it.

John Boren

Awesome Dude!

Tonight I added a 3/32” balsa sheet wing saddle doublers to the fuselage. If I ever have to make another one of these I’ll incorporate it into the fuselage sides before assemble. Basically I just added a sheet of balsa to the inside of the fuselage were the wing goes and trimmed it to clear the wing. I also added some plywood inside the fuselage to accept the two 4-40 socket head screws that hold the wing in place. The last thing done was to add the leading edge wing extensions. Without these that wing sure looked small but now it looks like it has all kinds of wing area. It’s starting to get heavy now and weighs in at 9.5 ounces. The last thing I am gong to do tonight is to add a bunch of epoxy resin and micro balloon filler to blend the wing and fuselage into the leading edge extensions.

John Boren


I wish you guys would ask me some question about this project. I hate posting images and not getting questions.

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I haven't been asking questions because I've been in flipping awe.


Will there be fins on the "bottom?" Clear plastic perhaps?

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

Why that would be cheating. No, this is a scale bird so it will only have what the real one has. It will be radio control so I should be able to get a straight enough boost to have it qualify for the contest.



John Boren

It's a glide recovery, yes? Won't it be awfully fast?

Charles