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 Rocketry Product: Apogee Components - SR-72 Darkbird {Kit}

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 1, Parts (2019-03-29)

I bought this rocket a few years back, directly from Apogee. The SR-72 Darkbird is 14" long, the main airframe is a BT-20. This pop-pod boost glider operates like the Estes Sky Dart and the original ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 2, Wings and Fins (2019-03-30)

The main fins are long, made up of three pieces. I set them down on a straightedge. The upper picture shows the main wing before the edges were fitted. The joint edges got hit with a sanding block ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 3, Wing Gluing (2019-03-31)

As I usually do, all the balsa parts were filled with CWF before gluing the model together. This balsa is only 1/16" thick. When one side is brushed with CWF it did warp. But after the other side ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 4, Small Fins, Launch Lug & Canopy (2019-04-01)

The smaller top fins are glued onto the BT-5 ramjet tube at an angle. The approximate angle was sanded on the root edge with my sanding block. I couldn't find the pattern sheet in the kit. There is ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 5, Pop-Pod Assembly & Streamer (2019-04-02)

This instruction drawing was a little confusing. It reads: "Glue four large centering rings . . ." The drawing only shows two wide rings. Here's what they mean. Four 5/20 centering rings, stacked ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 6, Ram Jet Nose Cones (2019-04-03)

The ram jet nose cone bases were a little wide to fit into the BT-5 tubes. On the left is the cone base before. On the right is a cone base that was sanded flat and the sides cleaned up. It didn't ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 7, Elevon Hinge (2019-04-04)

The elevon hinge is a fibrous, almost transparent piece of cloth. I've seen this material before but can't recall where. The instructions say to use CA glue but I was concerned that would make it ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 8, Paint Problems (2019-04-05)

I thought I would save some glider weight by not doing a filler primer coat after the CWF was sanded down. Carpenter's Wood Filler does not seal the balsa wood. After the first light gloss black was ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Apogee SR-72 Darkbird Build Part 9, Finished (2019-04-06)

This flat black paint ended up more like a satin finish. The dull black is more "Stealthy" anyway. The design works well, sort of a profile SR-71 style. The only thing I don't like is the rough ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: SR-71 or SR-72? (2020-02-24)

On the NAR Facebook page, Frank Burke posted a picture of his latest R/C Boost Glider: " YF-12 interceptor version of the A-12/SR-71 family. Hardly ever modeled. This was an interceptor version ... [Read More]