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 Rocketry Product: Quest - X-30 Aerospace Plane {Kit} (4001) [1994-?]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 1, Parts (2013-04-10)

Here's one picked up on Ebay. I'd always thought this would be an interesting build. From 1994, the Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane, kit # 4001. It's a Level 4 build and incorporates some different ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 2, Parts (2013-04-11)

There is a long thick tube, 1" diameter. It is only used to help bond the aeroshoud adhesive tape later in the build. The vacu-form canopy is well molded, but the nose cone doesn't have a sharp ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 3, Engine Mount (2013-04-11)

You aren't told to do so, but notch the engine hook so when the Kevlar is tied it'll slide in the yellow tube easily. As I mentioned earlier, the engine hook will have to go! I've decided ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 4, Engine Mount (2013-04-12)

The exposed yellow engine mount tube got a coat of medium CA glue. This will prevent de-lamination when the tape holding the engine is removed. Let it dry and sand smooth with 400 grit. A ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 5, Fin Prep (2013-04-13)

The curved front of the inlet fins were sanded with some 220 grit wrapped around an old engine casing. I cut off the uneven front tips off the inlet fins. I probably should have left them ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 6, Vacu-form Nose Cone (2013-04-14)

I cut the nose cone base off a little wide. There wasn't a definate edge and I didn't want to cut it too short. The plastic was pretty thick and took a few passes to cut through. The front ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 7, Vacu-form Canopy (2013-04-15)

The canopy was molded with a much sharper edge. Trace a pencil line around the edge for a cut line. Cut just outside the line. The rough edge was smoothed on a sanding block and 220 grit ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 8, Fin & Shroud Prep (2013-04-15)

The two wing pieces are glued together. As the instructions showed, check to be sure the root edges are lined up with a straightedge. Sand the root edge with a block. The edges of all the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 9, Shroud Forming (2013-04-15)

Before using the tape strip, pre-roll the aeroshroud stock into a smooth cone. This is a big shroud so take it slow or creases could form. This is the same kind of double sided tape used in ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 10, Bulkhead & Shroud Adjustments (2013-04-17)

Sand the bulkhead edge to the angle of the shroud walls. You don't want the bulkhead edges visible from the outside of the shroud walls. From the rear, this is the rear bulkhead pressed ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 11, Bulkhead & Shroud Adjustments (2013-04-17)

Only the rear bulkhead was sanded to allow the central motor mount tube to move forward in the shroud. While sanding the bulkhead edge is "crushed" and is now wider. This is okay, it gives a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 12, Fillet, Fit and Edge Paint (2013-04-18)

The instructions recommend Aileen's Super Tacky Glue for the shroud. I've heard that Aileen's glue was G. Harry Stine's favorite for rocket building. The instructions state: "White glue will ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 13, Covering Inlet Fins (2013-04-19)

The inlet fin overlay paper is black so the leading and trailing edges were blackened with a permanent marker. The printed cover pieces are over sized and trimmed after gluing. A glue stick ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 14, Fins Cover and Nose Fit (2013-04-20)

This is the rudder fin before the second side of the covering was trimmed off. The wings and fins edges were sprayed white. The small interior tube is lightly glued into the nose cone ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 15, Air Scoop (2013-04-21)

The belly air scoop pieces are cut from the printed sheets. Use a razor blade and straightedge for the straight edges and sharp scissors for the curves. I felt the belly scoop stock was a little ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 16, Air Scoop Fit (2013-04-22)

The inlet fins weren't long enough to cover the white areas on the shroud. Oh well! The two sides of the air scoop didn't to stay together. I waited for the glue to set up a bit and held ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 17, What!!?? (2013-04-23)

The face card shows the model hanging horizontally under dual parachutes. The instructions mention it but are a little vague about how to tie it all up! There is nowhere to tie on the rear line. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 18, Horizontal Descent (2013-04-23)

I used one of the bulkhead center disks for a reinforced tied down point. This disk will spread out the line tension and prevent it from pulling through when the ejection charge is activated. A ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 19, Nose Cone Trim (2013-04-24)

The face card picture shows black windows on the canopy. No decals are included in the kit. Time to pull out the Contact paper blackboard cover sheet. Two small squares were cut. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Part 20, Inlet Fin Trim Fix (2013-04-24)

On TRF, JeffyJeep posted pictures of his X-30 Aerospace Plane build. He covered up the exposed white areas behind the intake fins. On the left is the model before covering the white areas. On the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane Finished (2013-04-26)

  The finished model is larger than you might think. When Quest introduced this model in 1994 it was a level 4 "Expert" build. I didn't find it that hard to build, just time consuming. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane on RocketReviews.com (2013-12-28)

I did a stop at rocketreviews.com to read the daily build review. A few years back, Mark Fisher did a review of the Quest X-30 Aerospace Plane. HERE Here's a excerpt: "Don't believe the placement ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Which Glues for LPR Building? TIPS (2020-05-02)

On TRF. Alan R wrote: I think the most asked glue question is: "What is the best glue". The answer to that is "The one that works" I only do low power stuff, short list: Paper to paper - white ... [Read More]