All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Constellation {Kit} (1235, K-35) [1969-1978]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 1, Parts (2013-08-09)

The finished model is now being auctioned on EBAY! http://www.ebay.com/itm/151095540173?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Support the blog and make a bid!   ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 2 Engine Mount (2013-08-10)

Instead of a tape wrap, an engine strap is cut from printed card stock. This wrap almost goes all the way around. I marked the center and set that right over the engine hook. TIP: I always turn ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 3 Engine Mount (2013-08-11)

Onto the forward centering ring -  I'll be using some 150 lb. Kevlar in addition to a longer replacement shock cord. The forward centering ring was notched with the side of a small ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 4 Fin Tip Pods (2013-08-12)

I was never happy with the way my fin tip "pods" came out. Trying to form a teardrop pod at the end of an airfoiled fin is hard enough. Trying to form the pod out of three laminated pieces of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 5 Fin Tip Pods (2013-08-13)

After the front is shaped, the dowel is cut to length. The rear of the teardrop pod is carved and sanded smooth. Here's a finished pod next to one of the three laminate balsa pieces. Each ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 6 Fin Tip Pods (2013-08-14)

Both sides of the dowel pod were sanded flat to match the thickness of the three layer kit fins. The flattened side edges were rounded again. The dowel pod was set on the fin edge matching ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 7, Fin Airfoil (2013-08-15)

The old Estes instructions tell you to airfoil the fins. That rounded tip on the rear root edge could be a problem. Sand it down to a sharp taper and you run the risk of it easily breaking off. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 8, Fin Airfoil (2013-08-16)

I used the rounded side of my old sanding block with 400 grit to sand the recess at the rear trailing edge. This seemed to be the best way to get a round concave shape. Here's how that ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 9, Fin Pod Gluing (2013-08-17)

Each fin will be individually fitted. Draw a line on the side of the pod side that will be glued to the fin. Mark the outside edge of the fin with a "1" and the matching pod "1". Match the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 10, Nose Cone and Adapter Details (2013-08-18)

On the left is the nose cone and adapter from the Semroc kit. You'll see these shoulders through the clear payload section when the model is finished. I usually sand these flat then round the edges. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 11, Odds and Ends (2013-08-19)

This lug standoff probably isn't needed, the payload section isn't wider than the low end tube. This style of standoff goes back to when Estes sold it's "C Rail". The dowel standoff fits the C ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 12, Primer Sanding (2013-08-20)

Here's the body tube and nose cone after the primer filler was sanded down. The nose cone was slipped into the body tube for primer painting. The clear payload section will be trim painted later. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 13, Fin Prep (2013-08-21)

Before spraying a white coat to check for flaws, a small bit of the root edge was masked off. This was to keep some of the fillet area clear for a stronger fillet. After a light coat of gloss ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 14, Fin Gluing (2013-08-21)

There is a light paint ridge where the fillet area was masked. Lightly sand the ridge line with 400 grit sandpaper. The fins were glued on using my prototype Odd'l Rockets FinTool. The fin ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 15, Payload Tube Painting (2013-08-22)

The face card shows the upper and lower ends of the clear payload tube painted black. The black paint will cover up the balsa shoulders on the nose cone and nose block. On the left is the line ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 16, Single Black Fin Mask (2013-08-22)

I wanted the model to match the old catalog pictures. The Semroc face card shows all three fins in white. One fin should be black. For the red and black "1" decal to show up on the black, I'll add a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 17, White Trim on the "1" Decal TIP (2013-08-23)

The "2" and "3" decals were applied. I drew up a simple paper wrap that folded over the leading edge for easier positioning. This folded piece and pencil marks are identical on both sides. These ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Build Part 18, White Trim on the "1" Decal TIP (2013-08-23)

Before soaking the  trimmed  red decal - Have a sheet of decal paper sprayed with gloss white paint. This will be used for the white edge. Spray a clear sheet with white getting full ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Constellation Finished (2013-08-24)

A real classic, available from Semroc as an X Kit. I finally got the landing pods right this time! I was never happy with my first attempts carving them out of balsa layers. The white ... [Read More]