All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Public Missiles - Lunar Express

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Background (2017-04-04)

I don't usually do mid power models. Epoxy has never been my best friend. Here's the base kit background from PML - Based on the rockets of 1950`s SciFi movies, here`s the Little Lunar Expr ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 1, Parts (2017-04-04)

From what little I know about mid-power the parts seem to be very good quality. The gray tubing (I should call it an airframe, this is mid power and all) is Quantum Tubing. A polymer tube, it looks ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 2, More Parts (2017-04-05)

With the bag open, here's the parts for the piston eject system On the left is the 54" parachute. Decals are peel and stick. The client had some vinyl decals made up by Stickershock in the Futurama ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2017-04-06)

Compared to a LPR rocket, in MPR the engine mount uses beefed up parts. Plywood centering rings and a heavy engine tube. The centering rings are epoxied onto the motor tube with the shock cord strap ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 4, Engine Mount (2017-04-07)

The bottom hole of the tail cone is smaller than the diameter of the engine mount tube. It had to be slightly widened to get a good friction fit of the tube. If you are using engine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 5, Tail Cone Gluing (2017-04-08)

Here's the tail cone and interior tube are turned over. 30 minute epoxy was applied to the inside of the small end of the tail cone. The engine mount tube was slid up and into the epoxy. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 6, Fin Gluing (2017-04-08)

The fins are pre-cut from G-10 fiberglass. They are thin, about 1/16" thick. The edges are a little rough. I cleaned them up with some 220 grit sandpaper. 30 minute epoxy was applied to the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 8, Getting Epoxy Fillet Ready (2017-04-10)

My experience with epoxy fillets is pretty small. Here's a technique for masking the fillets I learned from the Rocketry Forum. For me, fillet width or thickness should reflect the size ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 9, Epoxy Fillets (2017-04-10)

Always wear gloves when mixing and using epoxy!!! If you aren't allergic to epoxy you could become allergic over time. I don't use it that often but I still wear gloves. Using Epoxy is like doing ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 10, Epoxy Fillet Smoothing (2017-04-11)

I've been using 30 minute epoxy. I like the extra working time before it starts to set up. The masking tape "dams" are removed when the glue starts to set up and doesn't run anymore. Don't wait too ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 12, Landing Pads Fin Details (2017-04-12)

Landing "Pods" are attached to each of the four fins. These really give the rocket a 1950's era sci-fi look. The pods are very well cast from resin. They are smooth and show no flaws at all. They ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 13, Rings and Pistons (2017-04-12)

The top of the ejection piston has a routed slot for the strap passage. This was one of only pieces in the kit that needed some cleaning up. A small rat tail diamond file rounded out the slot ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 14, Nose Cone Tip Blend (2017-04-13)

I mentioned before how clean the kit parts are. The resin nose cone tip required very little work to eliminate the joint. A little medium CA glue was ran around the seam then got some fine ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 15, Fillets and Primer (2017-04-13)

Here's how the epoxy fillets looked after forming and sanding. Two coats of Primer/Filler was shot and sanded between coats. Primer coats really show what needs to be cleaned up before ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 16, Paint! (2017-04-14)

I went to three different stores to find the Futurama colors. In the past I didn't have great luck with Valdspar but they had the closest light green color. Valdspar seems to take forever to dry! ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 17, Masking The Dark Green - TIP (2017-04-14)

All four fins are to be painted dark green. Here's the first root edge tape. Masking this leading edge is more difficult with the curvature of the tail done joint. The epoxy fillets leave a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 18, Mask and Reveal (2017-04-15)

Regular masking tape was used to completely fill the tail cone area mask. Before shooting the darker green the fillet area masks were burnished down using a Q-tip. A plastic grocery bag was used ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 19, Canopy Vinyl (2017-04-15)

Stickershock had done some custom Futurama vinyl for the build. Red Trim Monkote strips were applied down the body and onto the nose cone. I centered the canopy position between the two red ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 20, More Vinyl Trim (2017-04-16)

The Planet Express logo went on both sides of the smaller rudder fin. I'm holding one of the landing pods in place to judge the visual centering of the rudder vinyl. A red strip was added ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 21, Landing Pod Gluing (2017-04-17)

Epoxy was pushed into the landing pod fin slot with a toothpick. The pod was pressed into the fin edge. Notice the epoxy oozing out from the slot. Epoxy runs so you definitely want to watch for ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Part 22, Tying It Together (2017-04-17)

The parachute shroud lines were much thicker than what I am used to! Small loops are tied at the centers of each line. These are passed through the nylon strap. An overhand knot is made over the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: PML Lunar Express Build, Finished (2017-04-18)

  This was different! The piston ejection system was a change and I could certainly use the experience doing epoxy fillets. It was interesting making the vinyl graphics work on a ... [Read More]