This project was a build of an Estes Mean Machine.

Body tube joints filled with Elmers Fill'N Finish. I also ended up filling the spirals on the tubes as well

One of many coats of Elmers Fill'N Finish on the fins. Sanding was performed between coats. Prior to the Fill'N Finish, I made fin fillets with LOCTITE Epoxy.

Here are the body tube joints sprayed with the Dupli-Color filler primer and then sanded.

Here is the tail section sprayed with the Dupli-Color filler primer and then sanded. I like the primer but it is an Auto primer and the fumes are very strong.

Here is the nose cone after a few coats of Createx Opaque black paint using an airbrush

Fin section painted with the Createx paint

Fin section painted with the Createx paint.

Another view. I was pleased with the results so far.

Decals applied and the whole rocket was sprayed with Future using the airbrush. This was my first time using an airbrush and I really like it. Plus the Createx paint is water based and is very easy to work with and has almost no smell when spraying.

Decals applied and the whole rocket was sprayed with Future using the airbrush.


I Had a lot of trouble with the decals. There are air bubbles and color seperations. Ugh! The model still looks nice and the imperfections are bearable. Here is the tail section sprayed with the Dupli-Color filler primer and then sanded. I like the primer but it is an Auto primer and the fumes are very strong.

This rocket is ready to fly. I plan to use an E9-4 motor for the first flight.