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 Rocketry Product: Estes - Destination Mars Mars Longship {Kit} (00 042, 7296) [2020-2021]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 1, Parts (2020-06-30)

Here we go - now on sale on the Estes website, One of the more anticipated new kits, the very detailed Destination Mars - MARS LONGSHIP. The kit parts are packaged in a tall box. Two bags of parts ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 2, Parts Prep 1 (2020-07-01)

The laser cut fins are removed from the balsa sheet. On the right, the laser cut edges are squared up with a sanding block. Laser cutting makes a wedge shaped cut, wider on one side. The picture ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 3, Parts Prep 2 (2020-07-02)

The large nozzle has the ends cut off. To be safe, I mark the cut lines with pencil. I use a fine tooth razor saw, then smooth the rough ends with a sanding block. The large ring has an outside seam ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 4, Fin Assembly (2020-07-03)

Here's how the outside fin pieces fit together. The fit wasn't very tight and will require some filling. TIP:  If the fit seems loose - After applying glue, check the angle of the two pieces ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 5, Engine Mount (2020-07-04)

I did make a slight arc bend in the engine hook. Over the years I've learned to mark the engine mount tube three or four times around the tube. A single line of marks can be covered up by the engine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 6, Fin Primer & Card Stock Forming (2020-07-05)

I was assembling two kits at the same time, you are seeing double inside and outside fins. This is after the fins got a coat of CWF and sanding. Everything is taped down to spray one side with ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 7, Gluing On Ring Supports (2020-07-06)

Use the full size marking template to mark the locations of the "H" card stock pieces. On the right I used my aluminum angle to extend the marks over the height of the ring. TIP: Double, then triple ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 8, Details & More Details (2020-07-07)

The three lower "R" pieces are glued on the body tube, centered between the fins. TIP: In the left picture you can see the glue placement. I tried to keep it away from the edges so it wouldn't ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 9, Lugs, Nozzle & Shock Cord (2020-07-08)

The 3/16" launch lug is cut in half for two 1" long pieces. I get the cleanest cuts without crushing the lug using a new razor blade. The shock cord mount is a standard Estes tri-fold. TIP: As ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 10, Decals! Lots of Decals! (2020-07-09)

The kit has a separate instruction sheet for the decals alone, printed on both sides. Here's the two decal sheets - The first is gray, black and yellow. The second sheet is blue. I'd recommend ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 11, More Decals (2020-07-10)

The low end of the nose cone has 16 decals. Set the gray centers first, then the upper and lower yellow and black stripes. After those dry, set down the the vertical blue bands, see below. Here's ... [Read More]