All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Bullpup 12D {Kit} (007000) [1996-]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 1, Parts (2013-05-21)

I'm sure everybody has built one of these. I built a Bullpup when I got back into the hobby a few years back. My kit was a later version with the stick-on decals. Like most, I've always hated ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 2, Fin Comparison (2013-05-22)

Here's the first older Bullpup build. Look close at the white paint on the fins. It's almost translucent, you can see the balsa grain through the paint. I was using the cheap $1.00 a can WalMart ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 3, Instructions (2013-05-22)

This bag of parts didn't include the Estes instructions. Easy enough to find them at JimZs: HERE I also found a great Peter Alway drawing online. The small end of the tail cone isn't really round. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 4, Plastic Parts Prep (2013-05-23)

Most every blow-molded nose cone will have a seam. This one was pretty clean and only needed the ridge sanded off with 400 grit. No filling was required. The back end lug was closed. Don't use a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 5, Fin Gluing (2013-05-23)

I'll be installing the engine mount in after the fins are on. No real reason for this, I just glued the fins on first. With no engine hook on this model I won't have to center it between two fins or ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 6, Engine Mount Glue and Alignment (2013-05-24)

The plastic tail cone is used to push the engine mount to the correct distance inside the body tube. Continue pushing the plastic tail cone until the shoulder seats against the body tube and remove ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 7, Primer and Sand (2013-05-25)

There's one disadvantage to using the Titebond Molding and Trim Glue. Enlarge the picture and look close at the leading edge tip and ends of the launch lugs. Even if you try to clean up the ends ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 8, Primer and Paint Sand (2013-05-25)

After lightly sanding down the gray primer you can see the primer left in the gain pores. A light coat of gloss white followed. Hold the surfaces under a bright light and you can see some rough ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 9, Decals Information (2013-05-26)

The Estes instructions say to use the face card picture for decal placement. The problem is, it only shows   one side.  Viewing from the rear, we'll call this the right side - the nose ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Part 10, Decals (2013-05-27)

Here's the address for the Jim Ball Scale Website: http://www.rocketryonline.com/jimball/jimball/construction/pup/default.htm This are the decals ones I redrew and printed installed on my old Bullpup ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Comparison - Old and New (2013-05-28)

Here's my old Bullpup, refinished with new home printed water slide decals. The silver stripes (either side of the U.S. AIR FORCE) are more of a grey, no metallic shine at all. The red stripes ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Nose Cone Lug Fix (2013-05-28)

An Email from Orlando R.O.C.K. President J. Brian Coyle:   Knowing you, you've probably already finished and flown the Bullpup a few times... ;) But today's post about the nose lug flash ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup Build Finished (2013-05-29)

  A classic Estes kit, everybody has one in the build pile. The model shown above is the rebuild of one of the first kits I built when getting back into the hobby. I wanted to refinish ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 1, Fins, Decals & Shroud Lines (2014-12-04)

The Estes Bullpup has been built on the blog before. I'm building two for sale on Ebay. I was surprised by some of the changes in the kit contents. The fins are "pieced". You can see the second ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 2, Nose Cone Eyelet & Engine Mount (2014-12-06)

    The nose cone "lug" is small and weak. As in the previous Bullpup build, the lug eyelet was cut off and a second hole drilled for the shock cord tie. You put two puts of clay ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 3, Tail Cone (2014-12-07)

Dry fit the tail cone - no glue yet. TIP: Turn the tail cone until you get an even spacing gap all the way between the engine mount tube and end of the tail cone. When it's even, mark the tail ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 4, Tube CCA & Primer/Filler (2014-12-08)

You can get a evenly spaced CA reinforcement line around the end of a body tube. Apply with a Q-tip, use your middle finger around and on top of the tube edge for a depth guide. Some forum posts ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 5, Selective Masking (2014-12-09)

I didn't get great white coverage on the small forward fins on the Bullpup. I didn't want to re-shoot the upper fins, the over spray would make a rough final gloss around the fins. I decided to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Part 6, Decals (2014-12-10)

I couldn't see the launch lug on the face card picture. I have to wonder if Estes puts launch lugs on their catalog models. The launch lug might be in the way of the horizontal gray bands. You've ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Bullpup #7000, Build Highlights Finished (2014-12-11)

    The Bullpup has been built on the blog before, this time I touched on some different highlights. On the lower left you can see the placement of the black and orange circle ... [Read More]