All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - Solar Warrior {Kit} (3225)

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 1, Parts (2017-01-03)

This was another clearance sale kit. A great value for a BT-60 based model at 27" tall. It is designed to fly with C11 and D12 engines. Two feet tall, BT-60 models are favorite size for me. Look at ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 2, Prepping Balsa (2017-01-04)

Here's all the balsa removed from the laser cut sheets. There are four "T" shaped fins and on the upper right, four smaller forward fins. When fins are laser cut fins I don't "gang sand" them. No ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 3, Engine Mount TIP (2017-01-05)

TIP: Don't just glue the centering ring onto the engine mount. Use the black retainer ring to perfectly align the centering rings on the engine mount tube. Set the ring on the pencil mark then slide ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 4, Separating The Nose Cone - TIP (2017-01-06)

This step is not covered in the instructions, except for a small illustration on the first page "Parts" drawing. TIP: Don't separate the nose cone end first. You'll have more control, and more to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 5, Fin Gluing (2017-01-07)

I'm starting something new today. If I find a mistake or real concern in kit instructions, I'll start the paragraph with a " GOTCHA " . Hopefully this will prevent a possible build error for someone ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 6, Fin Grain Filling (2017-01-08)

Thinned Carpenter's Wood Filler will warp the fins when applied to only one side. Brush on one side of all the fins. By the time all one side of the parts have a coat of CWF the first piece should ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 7, Observations (2017-01-09)

I almost hate to tug on the parachute shroud lines. If they break easily they will have to be replaced. These broke with a light pull. I'll replace them with all cotton embroidery thread. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 8, Fin Assembly (2017-01-10)

The first larger fin plate it glued to the tab on the outside edge of the main fin. I used the flat side of the sanding block to press the fin plate slot over the tab. As the glue dries double check ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 9, Fin Gluing (2017-01-11)

A strip a little wider than the 3/32" thick fins is sanded through the remaining primer exposing the bare tube. This picture shows the small upper fins ready to glue onto their baseline. TIP: On a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 10, Fin Alignmment (2017-01-12)

A wrap of paper was used to make sure the base of the upper fins were in line around the tube. The aluminum angle was used to be sure the upper and lower fins were in line. Just don't set the edge ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 11, Engine Mount (2017-01-13)

Set the engine mount assembly on the side of the model at the depth it will end up. Beneath the mount is a glue glue applying dowel. The top end of the dowel is set where the glue ring will go. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 12, First White Paint (2017-01-14)

This rarely happens to me, but I did get two small bugs landing in the paint! Now a big deal, these will be sanded off before any more paint is sprayed. I've started to sand down any rough spots and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 13, White Touch Up (2017-01-14)

Getting paint in all the nooks and corners was tough on this one. I missed a few spots around the fit tip covers. (see third picture) For fin edges like this I can touch up without spraying the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Part 14, Decals (2017-01-15)

This is a simple mask, simply cover the lower body below the smaller fins. The instructions suggest Dark Blue, I decided to use the same Purple I used on the Wizard build. The second build will use ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Paint Fix, TIP (2017-01-16)

I put together two Estes Solar Warrior kits at the same time. On one, the upper section was sprayed purple. On the other, metallic red. The purple went on fine. The metallic red was another story. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Build, Finished (2017-01-17)

This should be a favorite with D12-5 engines. Big with big decals. I'm a little surprised they weren't more popular and ended up part of the closeout sale. The second build was painted Metallic Red ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Solar Warrior (#3225) Builds, Comparison (2017-01-19)

I had a few blog followers ask to show the two Solar Warrior builds side-by-side. I like the looks of the metallic red Solar Warrior a bit more. The top of the other rocket on the right is actually ... [Read More]