All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Estes - SR-71 Blackbird {Kit} (1942) [2004-2010]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 1, Parts (2014-01-05)

Oh boy - this should be a fun one! Skill Level 2? No, I don't think so. More like a Skill Level 4. It's interesting to look up the Centuri Blackbird instructions at Jim Z's -   HERE ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 2, Fin Prep (2014-01-06)

These fins had a wide laser cut "wedge" on one side. (Left side) On the right is the second fin sheet flipped over. It took a lot of laser to cut through this "balsa". There was plenty of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 3, Engine Mount (2014-01-07)

The green centering rings got a shallow notch for the engine hook. The blue engine block got a "Bradycros" notch for the engine hook. When this notched block is glued in place it won't wobble ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 4, Plastic Prep (2014-01-07)

  The inlet/tailcone were cut using a few passes with my hobby knife. I didn't think a razor saw was needed.   The open back end of the tail cone was sanded round with some 220 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 5, Fin Edge Gluing (2014-01-08)

Gluing together the inner wing pieces was a little like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. The instruction illustrations were not drawn to scale which only made it more confusing . Be ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 6, Inner Wing Gluing (2014-01-08)

I don't like cutting up instructions to use the fin marking guides. Sometimes when instructions are cut up you remove upcoming steps from the other side of the sheet! I traced the kit fin marking ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 7, Bottom Shroud Gluing (2014-01-09)

Here's the bottom shroud sitting on the body tube. Do a LOT of dry fitting on these, if you screw it up the model might go in the trash can. I'm tracing around the cut out box once everything was ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 8, Bottom Shroud Forming (2014-01-09)

Skill Level 2? No way Estes!!!  The instructions have you forming the heavy card stock curves using your fingertips. I don't see how this could be done. I tried! The card stock is thick and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 9, Bottom Shroud Tabs (2014-01-10)

This is as even as I could get the bottom shroud against the inner fin. I'll wait to trim the balsa after the top shroud is in place. Here's why you should pre-bend the overlap tabs. They ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 10, Top Shroud Glue and Form (2014-01-10)

  The upper shroud half is glued on much like the lower half. Start with the center line gluing lining up the tick marks with the lines drawn on the body tube. Check from the rear to see if ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 11, Top Shroud Front Forming (2014-01-11)

It helps to pre-bend the front of thee upper shroud where it meets the nose cone base lip. The card stock won't set down in the middle without some coaxing. Roll it up and around your finger. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 12, Shroud Ends Fitting (2014-01-12)

The front of the top shroud had lifted at the center tick mark. This won't help the fit of the nose cone. The tick mark cut was extended all the way to the front of the shroud. Be careful not to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 13, Shroud Smoothing (2014-01-12)

I went ahead and primed the nacelle tubes, nose cones and tail cones. After sanding you can see some primer still left in the molding seam in the nose cones. Steaming the shroud sides gave ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 14, 24mm Conversion? (2014-01-13)

If you've ever seen the SR-71 Blackbird fly you know stability is a concern. I've seen them fly perfectly vertical or turn and go horizontal into the wind. Installing a heavier engine in the rear ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 15, Shroud Fills (2014-01-14)

On the front of both shrouds are cut out areas used to line them up down the drawn pencil lines. On the right is the drawing of the bottom shroud with a larger rectangular cut out at the front. I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 16, Shroud Fills (2014-01-15)

The fill piece was rolled over with a dowel to indent a small curve. This will better fit the curve of the shroud. When gluing paper to paper you don't have to use much glue. Apply a thin coat ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 17, Engine and Outer Wing Gluing (2014-01-16)

In Step 13 the engine assemblies were glued on the outer edge of the wing. I didn't use the wing jigs here. They are supposed to go under the outer wings for support when gluing. I set them under ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 18, Primer and Black Paint (2014-01-17)

  The model got a coat of gray primer filler. There was quite a bit of 400 grit sanding. Florida is finally cold and paint drying time is slow. After the first black coat there was ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 19, Decal Comparison, Stick On to Water slide (2014-01-18)

Daniel (dlazarus6660 on YORF) sent me the water slide decals for the SR-71! On the top are the stick-on decals that were included in my kit bag. You can see the die-cuts in the clear thick ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 20, Tips from the Forums (2014-01-19)

There have been a few suggestions about clustering this one. My concern is how far the outside engines are from the center line. If you don't get all three engines to light at the same time it might ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 21, Decals (2014-01-20)

Thanks again to dlazarus6660 on YORF for sending me some water slide decals for the Blackbird. The older versions of the kit had the water slide decals. More recent kits have the stickers. I used ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 22, Decals (2014-01-21)

  Here's the Blackbird with all the decals in place. I've yet to glue the inlet cones, tail cones and engine mount in place. After the decals are dry, they'll get a coat of Future. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Build Part 23, Engine Cone and Clear Coat Problems (2014-01-22)

The inlet cones had a loose fit in the tubes. I added a wrap or two of tape but still left some plastic exposed on either side so the plastic cement would grab. The instructions say to glue them ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes SR-71 Blackbird Finished! (2014-01-23)

    This build was tough! How Estes could label it as a Level 2 is beyond me. The body shrouds would be impossible for a younger builder. Fitting the shroud front around the ... [Read More]