All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Crossbow SST {Kit} (003207, 7234) [2011-2013,2015-]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 1, Parts (2015-06-25)

Estes is reissuing the Crossbow SST kit. This is a downscale (sort-of) of the Satellite Interceptor without the short tubes on the main fins. I'm building a boxed kit version I picked up at ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 2, Changes & Fin Prep (2015-06-28)

The engine hook is outside the minimum diameter BT-20 main air frame. I never cared for this look. I'll leave off the hook and retaining ring for a friction fit of the engine. The picture at the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 3, Body Tubes & Coupler (2015-06-29)

The tube cuts weren't perfect. Joined by the coupler inside you can see some gaps. The ends were sanded flat. The inset picture shows the better fit  after truing up the tube ends. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 4, Fins! (2015-06-30)

The fins were filled with CWF and sanded smooth off the model. After that, a shot of primer filler and sanding. Above is a stabilizer fin (Part G) sprayed with primer filler. Below is the other ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 5, More Fins! (2015-06-30)

The instructions just say to glue on the Main Wings (Part J) It doesn't say how far from the rear. All the other measurements are in inches. After looking at the illustrations, I can assume the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 6, Space Probes & Launch Lug (2015-07-01)

They're just dowels, but the instructions call them "Space Probes". TIP: When cutting them to size, roll your knife over the dowel for only 1/2 turn. First roll forward for 1/2 turn of the dowel. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Build Part 7, Decals (2015-07-01)

Light coats of white followed, sanding between coats. Then the final heavier coat. This is an easy one to paint, it's just gloss white overall. There are a LOT of decals on this one. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Crossbow SST #7207, Finished (2015-07-02)

  I bought this one back in 2009 when WalMart was selling them as boxed kits. It was cheap, probably only $6.00 or $7.00 dollars. With Estes bringing back the kit, I pulled it from ... [Read More]