All Rocketry Blogs
Rocketry Product: Estes - Astron Midget {Kit} (TK-40) [1972-1973]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 1 Parts (2012-08-29)
The original Estes Midget kit was one of the first rockets I ever built. In 1969 I thought $1.25 was a great price for a two stage rocket! Before I start on this one - This build is not the ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 2 Parts Huh? (2012-08-30)I don't know why fin templates were included. Compared to the laser cut Semroc fins they weren't even the right size! I trust Semroc knowing the larger laser cut fins ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 3 Lug Standoff? (2012-08-31)The original Midget kit and this clone kit included a dowel for a lug standoff. Normally, a lug standoff is required if the upper section of the model has a larger diameter payload tube. The ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 4 Lug Standoff (2012-08-31)The Estes kit had a LL-2B lug that was 2 3/8" long. Probably too long for a model this size. That length of lug will stick out like a sore thumb. A little like a 1/8" lug on a BT-5 ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 5 Nose Cone Prep (2012-09-01)I can hear the voices: "Why do you bother, nobody will see it anyway!" It's just me. I like the interior of my models to be as clean as the exterior. I spend some extra time on engine ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 6 Engine Mount (2012-09-01)The centering rings are cut from a long, thick tube. The edges are a "wedge" shape, slightly thinner on the green side. I like to square up the rings, getting rid of the wedge, making the ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 7 Engine Blocks (2012-09-02)I had a hard time getting the thin engine blocks to fit into the mount tubes. The burr around the top of the upper mount had to be rolled over with a smooth dowel. Again, pre-fit any ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 8 Kevlar (2012-09-03)The new Semroc Midget kit has Kevlar tied to the upper centering ring. As typical for me, I forgot to cut a notch in the upper ring to tie on the Kevlar. A small drill was used to make the ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 9 Transition (2012-09-04)By dry fitting the mount and a fin on the BT-50 tube you can see how long the transition needs to be. The trailing edge of the fin will be flush with the end of the engine mount tube. A good ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 10 Transition (2012-09-05)You'll have to draw a glue tab to the shroud pattern from the Payload Bay website. Sometimes I'll add a tab cut separate from the shroud so there won't be a raised seam. On this model ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 10A Transition Oops! (2012-09-06)Out of curiosity I glued together the transition shroud that came with the clone kit. I knew it would be small. Earlier it was checked against the length of the root edge of a sustainer fin. ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 11 Fin Prep (2012-09-07)Before today's posts: I'm back on the Holland America Veendam from September 7 through 15, cruising up the St. Lawrence River to Montreal. If I miss posting here and there, bear with me. The ship ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 12 Launch Lug and Standoff (2012-09-08)Today I'm doing Blog entries from a Tim Horton's (good coffee!) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Sydney is a quaint town. Nothing too polished here, lots of small homes and original architecture. The ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 13 Balsa Grain Fill (2012-09-09)Sometimes when I sand down the filler, the nose cone shoulder ends up overhanging the edge of the body tube. I usually sand the nose cone back to the right ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 14 Shroud Seam Fix (2012-09-09)A small amount of white glue was set over the raised seam. If you can, you'll want a little bit of the glue to get under the raised edge. Wipe off most of the wet glue on the outside. ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 15 Lug Gluing (2012-09-10)The lug and standoff are glued even with the top wide end of the shroud. Primer was scraped off for a better glue bond. Gluing the lug (while it is on the standoff) takes a more time than ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 16 White Color Coat (2012-09-10)The first white color coat was sprayed. I'm back using Rustoleum 2X again. The picture shows the first light coat after lightly sanding with 400 grit. There is a engine block in ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 17 Fin Trim Colors (2012-09-11)When applying trim Monokote the underlying surface must be clean and smooth. I found a few paint bumps and sanded them down before applying the trim pieces. Sand just the raised paint and not ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Build Part 18 Fin Trim Colors (2012-09-11)It was easier to place the piece using a knife blade underneath it. With the blade under the side of the piece I could see the spacing around the leading and outside edges. ... [Read More]
Model Rocket Building: Midget Clone Finished (2012-09-12)The original Estes kit had a 10" parachute. The Semroc reissue has a streamer. I installed a streamer to be sure I get it back. Lessons learned: Trim Monokote is ... [Read More]
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