All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Gemini Titan {Kit} (1978) [1987-1988]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 1, Parts (2016-09-16)

I'm building this Gemini Titan for Rob, a client. I've never seen this kit before and was looking forward to the build. Years back, Estes offered a larger, BT-70 based Gemini Titan with a two engine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 2, Engine Mount (2016-09-17)

The engine mount tube is shorter than normal at 2 1/2" long. This is to fit the locking fin unit. The instructions have you use the yellow spacing tube to set the engine block. The engine block is ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 3, Engine Mount Gluing (2016-09-18)

You use the plastic fin can to set the depth of the engine mount. I did a dry fit. After pulling off the fin can I noticed the brown engine tube was even with the low end of the BT-60 tube. A dowel ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 4, Plastic Tunnels (2016-09-19)

The tunnels are glued on 1 1/4" from the launch lug line. This centers the tunnels between the two fins to the right of the launch lug. The tunnels are a little warped. Light finger bending got them ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 5, Nozzles 1 (2016-09-20)

I used Plastruct Plastic Weld to join the nozzle halves together. Take a moment to line up the two halves before applying glue to the inside of the nozzle bells. On the left is a first fit, the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 6, Nozzles 2 (2016-09-21)

Well, how can you mask something like this? There is no way to get masking tape around the nozzles being so close and the nozzle bands are in the way! I took the easy way out and used a permanent ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 7, Capsule Mask (2016-09-22)

Florida is VERY humid in the Summer. While the body tube dried in two days the white on the capsule stayed sticky for a week! I had to wait before doing any masking. The sticky back of the masking ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 8, Lower Capsule Tan Ring (2016-09-23)

On the shoulder end of the capsule is a tan band. The closest color I had is Rusto 2X Gloss Almond. This was sprayed on some white backed decal scrap. This will be cut into a strip and transferred ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 9, Wrap Around Roll Pattern Decals, Part A (2016-09-24)

I had real trouble with the decals, they were over 30 years old! Even after a coat of Micro-Sol, the decals would not release from the backing paper no matter how long they soaked. I had to make up ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 10, Wrap Around Roll Pattern Decals Part B (2016-09-25)

The bulk of the black fill was done with a wider permanent marker. I blackened the area wider than the tunnel so even if the cut open decal was too wide I would still have black coverage. Here's how ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Gemini Titan #1978 Build, Part 11, Decal Wrap & Finished (2016-09-26)

A spray paint decal was made to wrap around the capsule base. This was sealed with a coat of Future. This was an interesting build. Anybody that built the original big Estes Gemini Titan (OOP two ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: The Next Build - The 260 Space Booster - Backstory (2011-08-24)

The 260 SPACE BOOSTER This one goes way back, from the 1965 Estes Model Rocket News, V5 #3. For years, it's been my "I'll build this one day" rocket. It features a BIG nozzle and clear fins. You can ... [Read More]