All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Space Corps Lunar Scout {Kit} (7290) [2020-]

Model Rocket Building: New Estes Kits & Release Dates (2019-10-13)

On Facebook, Jesse Ulibarra posted pictures from the Estes booth at the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo -  On the upper left - The Low Boom SST, to be released February 2020 On the right - the LEO ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 1, Parts (2020-03-26)

Here's another new kit from Estes, part of their Space Corps series - the Lunar Scout. It's a Intermediate Level build, a small featherweight recovery model using 13mm motors. The engine does ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 2, Parts Prep (2020-03-27)

There are a lot of laser cut hold down tabs to clear. Take your time and use a sharp knife. I chose to sand off and clear the burnt edges. The upper is the before, The lower picture is after lightly ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 3, Laser Cut Details (2020-03-28)

This is a build for Estes so it has to match the face card illustration. I'll have to prep all the parts and spray paint them before gluing it all together. This took some planning, the tube parts ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 4, Rounding Off The Edges (2020-03-29)

This is the three legs with the end cross pieces glued on. The legs are all to be painted gloss red. I like to seal the edges with a small bead of white glue. Carefully lay a narrow bead of glue ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 5, Fill, Primer & Paint (2020-03-30)

The engine mount tube seam was filled with CWF and sanded smooth. The red engine block seam was also filled. TIP: Don't glue the red coupler in yet, it'll be painted gold later. No gluing it in now ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 6, Gold Parts (2020-03-31)

Here's the gold parts on a piece of cardboard. They have already been spray painted gloss white. The pieces are held down to masking tap with the sticky side up. The landing pads needed some sanding ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 7, Assembly (2020-04-01)

I was building two kits, here's two of the large rings stuck down for spraying with gloss white. This is the motor mount tube with the coupler/engine block glued in. Both parts had the final colors ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 8, Details, Details, Details (2020-04-02)

Set the ring on the full size template in the instructions. Mark the leg/fin locations. The even spacing is important for the decal placement coming up. Lightly mark with a pencil. The top of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 9, Lining It Up & Radar Dish (2020-04-03)

The original face card picture shows the upper red rib of the fin through the gold triangle piece. This isn't necessary as the decal will cover up the red line. If I knew at the time, I would have ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Part 10, Decals (2020-04-05)

GOTCHA:  There are no extras so set a small decal first. After you set the first decal, make a judgement call about beefing them up. These decals were very thin, the final clear coat could have ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Lunar Scout #7290 Build, Finished (2020-04-06)

This was a fun build and something outside the norm. It would be a great first flight of the day model. I thought it was smart to integrate the launch rod holes into the center rings. I wonder if ... [Read More]