Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 1, PartsThis should be a fun build featuring everybody's favorite - vacu-form plastic! This version came out around the year 2000, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the original Estes kit from 1975. Back then I built both the Klingon Battle Cruiser and the Enterprise. I liked this one better, the Enterprise ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 2, Vacu-Form Parts CuttingMany builders run into problems cutting vacu-form plastic pieces off the sheet. The main points to remember are - take your time, use a new blade and don't try to cut through with a single pass of the knife. Normally I'd use my break off blade knife but for this I'll use the X-Acto with a new #11 ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 3, Vacu-Form Parts CuttingMake light cut passes until you can easily crack off the scrap sides. If it doesn't crack easily, lightly score it with your knife again. Work in small sections, don't try to cut the entire shape out at once. Cut past the ends of the pieces. Here's how my Hull Top piece looked before sanding the ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 4, Engine MountAfter all the cutting and sanding of the vacu-form parts, I needed a break and moved onto the engine mount. It's a typical 20/50 engine mount, the only typical thing on this rocket. The split 20/50 centering ring was de-laminating. A little white glue was slipped in with my knife blade. To hold ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 5, Die Crushed BalsaThe 3/32" balsa is die cut. The cuts were very shallow, not even through to the other side. The only way to see the cut lines was to flex the sheet. You kids don't know how good you have it today with laser cut parts. Edges like this were typical of kit supplied fins before laser cutting was used. ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 6, Filling GapsI didn't sand down the edges of the filler pieces that would fit into the bottom of the primary hull top. You can see how badly they fit into the vacu-form piece. The instructions say to sand and trim them so they fit precisely into the hull top piece. With the hull top flipped over there are ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 7, More DetailsTwo small detail pieces go on the underside of the primary hull. Why these couldn't have been made on the vacu-form sheet is beyond me. Check out the sanded "diamond " shape. I'll give it a try anyway. Punch out the card stock pieces and glue them to some scrap balsa. The balsa tops were sanded ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 8, Balsa FillingI'm building two Klingon models at the same time. There is a LOT of balsa to fill. First up are the small detail pieces that go under the primary hull. Masking tape was set down sticky side up. The four pieces were stuck down to the tape. It's just easier doing it this way than trying to hold onto ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 9, Adapter Shoulder Filling TIPThe balsa adapter shoulders aren't sharp but rounded over. I've already done the wider base of the adapter, this post will show how to build up the top. On the left side, CWF has been brushed just over the lip. In the inset picture, the BT-5 is slid down, pressed and turned into the wet CWF. This ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 10, Hanger Side PiecesThese are the hanger side pieces before the flat base is glued on. I took this picture to show how thin the vacu-form walls are. After the flat plastic base (cut off the master sheet in Step 1) is glued to the bottom, the edges are sanded even with the side walls. On the left piece you can see ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 11, Warp Drive AssemblyThis shot from the instructions shows how the warp drive is assembled. A small BT-2 body tube is glued inside the two halves for strength. The line at the pylon cut out notch isn't straight. This area has to be removed, see the next picture. I'll use a straight edge to get a cleaner, straight cut. ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 12, Warp Drive AssemblyThe BT-2 tube was pressed into an oval shape to lower its height and allow the vacu-form half edges to meet. There are still some ball point pen ink marks on the edges. Before gluing the two sides together I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge to remove them. Ink can sometimes bleed through a ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 13, Access Boom Detail PieceThe small access boom detail piece fits over the lower BT-50 tube. I was surprised the instructions didn't mention sanding the bottom to fit the tube curve. There is a curve in the piece after it is rough cut from the plastic sheet but it can be contour sanded for a better fit. Roll some 220 grit ...[Read More]
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser, #1274, Build Part 14, Primary Hull HalvesThe back end of the primary hull halves is cut out to wrap around the forward BT-5 tube. I found it easier to stand the half on end and score it from the inside. Wrap the BT-5 section with 220 grit sandpaper. Sand the rough cut end round over the tube. Two pats of nose weight clay are supplied, ...[Read More]
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