Thanks Bill. I normally like to throw a layer of Future on models a few weeks after the last decals have been applied, especially rockets with a white paint scheme. I think I'll just leave the Demon alone though.

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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Now that I have my Interceptor and Semroc Centurion in the finishing stages, I thought I would start a couple of new projects. After selecting the old Estes Cobra as my clone build, I went to the kit stash and yanked out the PDR A-20 Demon kit - it'll complement my Cherokee D and Renegade nicely.

The kit is very nice, especially the foils, but I did notice a couple of things, one of which was major in my mind. The nose cone - supposedly a BNC-55AM - seemed too long. I yanked out one of my Semroc BNC-55AM's and sure enough, the one included in the PDR kit was 1" too long (5" versus 4"). I did a quick calc on the rocket's length, and found that the Semroc nose seemed to be right. This was confirmed by a check of the 1974 parts catalog, which lists the BNC-55AM as 4" in length.

I will be using the Semroc nose in the build

The other thing was that the coupler looked like it had been hacked from a balsa cylinder - the ends were not close to even, and extremely rough. Testing the fit revealed that it would not fit into the BT-55 without some major sanding - bigger diameter than the tube!

I will replace that as well

A pic of the parts discussed above is below:

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Up next:
Under construction:
Under repair:
In finishing: Centuri Sabre clone
In primer:
In paint:
Ready for decals:

Bill Cooke
NAR #31312
TRA #19705
SAM #0001
Huntsville, AL

My rocket blog
My rocket fleet

That is good you caught that. When ever I build a OOP Estes kit with balsa nose cone, I also order the same one from Semroc. I will sand the Semroc nose to the exact shape of the orig. This way if something ever happens to the orig. build I can always build a clone in the future.

The A-20 Demon is now finished - on to other builds!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Up next:
Under construction:
Under repair:
In finishing: Centuri Sabre clone
In primer:
In paint:
Ready for decals:

Bill Cooke
NAR #31312
TRA #19705
SAM #0001
Huntsville, AL

My rocket blog
My rocket fleet

Wow, a very beautiful, sharp looking model! I'll have to get me one too!

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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

You really did that bird proud! Excellent Job!!!

I'm surprised that more fuss isn't made over this kit. IMMNHO, it's far and away the coolest product in the PDR stable. Very nicely done, to the point that even I couldn't screw it up.

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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, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

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

That's another kit that didn't impress me as a kid (I loved the Cherokee-D), but it has really grown on me as an aged veteran (never quit so I ain't a BAR). I think it's just been overshadowed by the Cherokee or it would garner more attention now.

I also thought the Estes Shrike (or was it an Astron Shrike?) was a cool looking model, although I never did get one back in the olden days (along with the A-20 Demon, and the
Cherokee, among a few others; I'm more into scale and certain models that are now classified as "classics" today). But looking at the pic of the A-20 earlier in this thread has "pushed me over the edge" as far as deciding to get one for my fleet.

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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

I liked the Shrike also. However, I was extremely limited in funds, so I was limited in what I could get. I only got two or three kits a year at best, all the while saving money for the Centuri Saturn 1B and V. I did finally get a Maxi Pershing and Honest John for Christmas one year, though.