Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Rocketry Product: Estes - Nike Apache (7254)
Estes Nike Apache Old Unfinished Build Part 1 (2014-04-28)
I bought this one years ago at a toy store. The Semroc Classics list says the kit was produced from 1986 - 1989. It was bagged up in Penrose. I had started the kit but stopped when I couldn't ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Old Unfinished Build Part 2 (2014-04-30)Now that I have new BT-55 tubes for replacement, the old tube was peeled off and the engine mount removed. 27 (or so) years ago masking tape was wrapped over the engine hook. When the hook was ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 3, Parts Again (2014-05-01)I bought a second Nike Tomahawk on Ebay. I'll be building both the old kit and the newer Ebay kit at the same time The parts of interest: The rubber shock cord is a ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 4 Die Crush Fins (2014-05-02)The old style die cutting wasn't very clean. The blades must have been dull when this balsa was cut. The balsa is good quality. It is hard to see the cut outlines of the fins. Two sets of ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 5 Another Dented Body Tube! (2014-05-03)How ironic - the second Nike Apache kit I got from Ebay also had a dented end! These older brown tubes are better than a new white ones. I'll try to fix it. First slide in the adapter fro support ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 6, Nike Body Wrap (2014-05-04)I looked for the BT-55 fin marking guide and realized it was a glued on body wrap. Instead of cutting up the instructions I made a wrap out of 20 lb. copy paper. Here's how it lines up, ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 7, Fin and Lugs Gluing (2014-05-05)The engine mount was glued in with the BT-20 tube even with the end of the BT-55 main airframe. A fillet was applied around the lower centering ring with a Q-tip. The Apache fins were glued ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 8, White Undercoat and Touch-up (2014-05-06)The sections were joined and a dowel/casing paint wand was slipped in the engine mount. Two light coats of gloss white were sprayed with light 400 grit sanding between coats. Look close and ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 9, Painting the Apache (2014-05-06)The fin can of the upper section Apache is painted red. The mask line was right above the leading edge of the fins. After the mask was sprayed and the tape removed, I had a little light red over ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 10, Decals and Black Trim (2014-05-07)The clear borders will have to be cut back on the silver sides, otherwise they would bump into the fins and overhang the top of the body tube. After the wrap decals were in place the open white ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 11, Low End Masking (2014-05-08)Three of the fins are painted red, the remaining fin is yellow. This is a typical mask for me using marked Scotch tape at the fin fillets then masking tape filling in the larger areas. The tube ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 12, Nike Decals (2014-05-09)Those black bars are left from the cradle the Nike sat in when it was painted. A piece of masking tape was lightly set on the body tube to line up and center the ends. I don't know why, but ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Build Part 13, Parachute and Shock Cord Tie In (2014-05-09)The rubber shock cord supplied in the kit was just 12.5" long! Glue that short length into a tri-fold mount then recess it 1" inside the body tube. After tying it to the adapter lug you've only ... [Read More]
Estes Nike Apache Finished (2014-05-10)Considering this model was started in the mid 1980s, I was glad to finish it up. The decals really added a lot, especially on the Apache. The Nike fin mask took a lot of time. ... [Read More]
Nike Apache Auction Finishes Tonight! (2015-09-17)The Estes NIKE APACHE Auction ends tonight on Ebay To see the model: CLICK HERE [Read More]
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