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Rocketry Product: Estes - Astron Sky Dart II {Kit} (003229)
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Background (2017-02-22)
This will be a fun build - The Astron Skydart II. It first appeared in the 1973 Estes catalog as K-57. Larry Renger was the designer. He also developed the classic Falcon Boost Glider. Pop Pod boost ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 1, Parts (2017-02-23)What's really different is the pop pod assembly and all the centering rings. Parts of interest: On the top is the self-adhesive clear tape for the elevator hinge. There are five washer weights. Also ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 2, Centering Ring Prep (2017-02-24)The thick ring didn't have flat sides. Considering it sits flat against the washer weights I sanded the raised rings even and smooth. The cut of the engine mount tube wasn't clean. This was also ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 3, Pop Pod Assembly (2017-02-25)Combined, the five nose weight washers weigh 0.57 oz. Here's the thick 5/50 centering ring even with the top of the short BT-5 tube. The washer weights butt up against it. A 5/20 ring glues against ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 4, Balsa Prep (2017-02-26)The large, flat wing is assembled using four pieces. The laser cut sides are a slight wedge shape. One side of the cut is wider than the other. To see the difference, check the widths of the laser ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 5, Elevator Hold Down (2017-02-27)The original kit used a pre-bent wire to hold the elevator down during boost. The new kit uses three pieces of laser-cut balsa. Here's a dry fit of the assembly. I don't sand these down before ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 6, Wing Piece Fit (2017-02-28)When dry fitting, I was surprised by the gap between the wing pieces. I didn't over sand the sides when cleaning up the burnt edges. The center triangle piece was glued on first using the burnt ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 7, Wing Gluing (2017-03-01)The wing pieces were glued together on a flat kitchen counter top. Glue was set on the edges and the pieces pressed together. I used a Sharpie barrel on the joints to press the tops down and even. I ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 8, Nacelles (2017-03-02)TIP: I filled the seams with CWF and used primer filler before splitting the body tubes to make the nacelles. It would be harder to fill the seams if the tubes were cut in two first. The cut tubes ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 9, Nacelles (2017-03-02)I used the aluminum angle to cut and split the BT-50 nacelle tube. Be very careful when cutting. Keep the angle held steady and the blade angle at 90 degrees. First sand the cut tube sides flat on a ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 10, Filler Weight (2017-03-03)We all know that filler and paint can shorten a gliders air time. That's where I have a problem, this isn't a competitive glider. I like my models to be smooth and shiny, like in the catalog ... [Read More]
Buzz Nau's Skydart (2017-03-04)Buzz Nau sent me a link to the revision he made in his Skydart elevon. It gives a more direct, straight-up pull up on the elevon. The check out Buzz' website, CLICK HERE Push pins in the ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 11, What Happened? (2017-03-04)It seems every kit has an added adventure! As normal, I'm making two Skydart models. Look what happened to the second model when the CWF filler dried. The forward wing piece split away! The first ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 12, Primer / Filler (2017-03-06)All the wood parts got a one good shot of Duplicolor Primer/Filler before assembly. The rudder in the back is before sanding, the rudder in front is after sanding with 400 grit. Where some builder ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 13, Gluing On The Wing (2017-03-06)The center line of the wing was sanded for a stronger glue bond. I wrapped some old 220 grit around a round pencil. The eraser end gave a good cushion for sanding. The primer was scraped off the ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 14, Ends and Edges (2017-03-07)I added a fillet of Titebond M & TG to the front and rear of the wing. I didn't do a fillet along the inside down the tube wing joint. I've learned from past experience that a deep fillet won't ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 15, Lug Cut and Gluing (2017-03-08)Cut a launch lug with a knife alone and you'll end up with a crooked and crushed end. In the past I have cut launch lugs by sliding a dowel inside the straw for support. This is probably a better ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 16, Rear Ring and Hold Down (2017-03-09)I misplaced the split rear centering ring. I had to cut one from a spare 20/50 ring. (And of course, right after I glued on the replacement ring I found the green split rings from the kit.) TIP: If ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 17, White Paint (2017-03-09)I had to compromise on painting this one. I wanted it smooth and gloss white but use a minimum of paint to keep the weight down. Years ago I had the Estes Citation Bomarc, the first design was a ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 18, Elevon Hinge (2017-03-10)It's hard to turn the adjustment screw with your fingers. I used a Allen head jeweler's screw driver. Line it up with the trailing edge angle of the stab to reach the screw head. Raise the ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 19, Elevon Hinge (2017-03-10)Here's all the instructions you get to set the hinge. The parts list calls the Y piece the "Clear Decal". It's more like a thick strip of packing tape. Because it is a clear hinge it ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 20, Decals (2017-03-11)Instead of going with the new decal placement, I went with the original kit layout. To see the instructions from the first kit: CLICK HERE Always do a dry fit to figure out the visual spacing. The ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Part 21, Decals (2017-03-11)The N3003 decal was placed on the stabilizer like in the original kit placement. Notice the tape still on the adjustment screw. This was placed so no white spray got on the screw threads. The ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Step 22, Pop Pod Parachute (2017-03-13)The instructions show the typical chute attachment where you slide the canopy through the shroud line loops. I wanted a better attachment with no tangled lines. All three of my line loops got a ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Step 23, C/G Balance Point (2017-03-14)On the back of the smaller Parts List is the glide trimming directions. The balance point (without the pop pod inside) is 5" from the back of the body tube. This was a hard picture to take! I pencil ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Step 24, Pop Pod Chute Packing TIP (2017-03-14)There's not much room for the parachute and shroud lines between the BT-20 pop pod and the BT-50 main air frame body tube. Careful packing can insure a good ejection and quick opening of the ... [Read More]
Estes Skydart II #3229 Build, Finished (2017-03-15)This build was a bit of a conflict for me. I like my balsa grain filled and paint smooth. I did my best to keep it light, it did finish out at just 3 oz. without the engine. This model didn't ... [Read More]
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