All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Python 4 ASRAAM {Kit} (2054) [2003-2005]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 1 Parts (2014-05-15)

  Here's another one I picked up cheap for $8.99 at a collectors store in Orlando. The Python 4 (#EST 2054/1245) was a Launchables packaged model from the Enduring Freedom missile ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 2, Engine Mount (2014-05-17)

The engine mount didn't end up looking like the instruction drawing! Compare the drawing on the lower right with the finished mount shown below. I ended up adding 135 lb. Kevlar to the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 3, Fin Prep (2014-05-18)

Be ready -  As careful as I could be removing the pieces from the die-cut sheet, the upper fins broke right down the balsa grain. The broken halves were set on a straightedge and glued ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 4, Plastic Parts Prep (2014-05-19)

The tail cone was cut from the adapter section. The raised fin slots are cut off like the previous Paveway build and the current Estes V2 model. A possible problem - The fin slots are wider than ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 5, Gluing the Engine Mount (2014-05-20)

A ring of glue was rolled in the rear tube using a marked dowel. Apply a ring of glue around the dowel end. Set the dowel into the tube up to the pencil line on the dowel. Roll the glue into a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 6, Balsa and Lug Prep (2014-05-21)

There's a tight corner on the upper fins, right where the breaks happened earlier. I dropped a little more CWF in the tight corner than normal. It might end up a little rounded after sanding. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 8 Fin Fitting and Fillets (2014-05-22)

Before spraying on any filler/primer: This strips of masking tape were pushed into the fin slots and against the root edge gluing areas. I didn't want to get any primer where the fin root edge ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 9, Conduit Prep & Glue (2014-05-23)

Under the long middle fins sit the flat conduits. These are die-cut on thin, glossy card stock. The fit couldn't be very good over the curve of the body tube. Before gluing the conduits were pressed ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 10, Conduit Fix and Strake Gluing (2014-05-24)

As careful as I tried to be, there was still some glue stick on the outside surface of the conduit. The card stock is glossy so I was able to wipe off the glue with a barely damp paper towel. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 11, Dry Fit, Lug Gluing and White (2014-05-25)

Here's the dry fit - This is a TALL BT-55 model, about two feet tall. It should be a good model for the small field with a B6-4. The two 5/8" long lugs were glued in line with a launch rod for ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 12, Upper Section Mask (2014-05-26)

The top section is actually an easy mask. Gray paint goes from the middle body separation up to the nose cone. The upper fins are left white. The rear of the fins are square, the tops are even ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 13, Stickers! (2014-05-27)

I drew up home print decals for the worded blocks. I'll use the stickers for the bands and squares. Because they are thicker they will add some more dimension to the model. The face card shows ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 14, More Stickers and Decals (2014-05-28)

Typical on some recent kits - the stickers fall right under the launch lug. To find the right width for the lug, I cut some notches out of plain paper first. The correct notch width was cut ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Build, Part 14, More Stickers and Decals (2014-05-28)

As in some recent kits, the decal placement falls right on the suggested launch lug placement. I cut out a piece of copy paper to better judge the notch that will be cut in the stick on band. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Python 4 Finished (2014-05-29)

  This design reminds me of a Launch Pad kit with the forward fins and fin plate details I couldn't figure out how to mask around the die-cut fin plates to paint the lower body light ... [Read More]