Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Rocketry Product: Estes - Saros {Kit} (1254, K-54) [1971-1978]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Background (2018-04-01)
The Estes Saros kit was available from 1971 - 1978. It was the first two kits to include a plastic integral fin unit / engine mount, "Providing immediate and positive location of the thrust rings." ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 1, Parts (2018-04-01)Here's the parts I put together for the fin can assembly: From the bottom left going clockwise - The cardstock nozzle (pattern shown below) 1 3/8" long BT-50 segment 1" 50 sized coupler Two ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 2, "Nested" Nozzle (2018-04-02)The original kit had a plastic fin can. The rocket recovers low end down and would land on the plastic nozzle first. This clone will use a doubled, cardstock nozzle. Properly made it should be plenty ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 3, Fin Can Centering Rings (2018-04-03)Here's something I picked up from the Dr. Zooch Space Shuttle kit instructions. The back end of the mount, right above the nozzle is a tapered angle ring. The lower centering ring was sanded at a 45 ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 4, Engine Mount Assembly (2018-04-04)Glue was applied to both rings and the outside BT-50 tube slid in place. After the tube is placed, wipe off the excess glue. A glue fillet is placed around the base of the lower tapered ring. The ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 6, Lugs and Fin Plate (2018-04-05)The instructions say to cut two 1/8" diameter launch lugs to 1/4" long. That strikes me as pretty short. Any twisting when you slid the rocket down the rod and a lug could tear off. I decided to go ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 7, Adapter Fill and Fix TIP (2018-04-05)I've never seen a balsa piece so dinged up before. Along with all the tube dents, the shoulders weren't well defined. This will take some extra work. CWF was brushed on the lower half over the ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 7, Fin Shaping (2018-04-06)I went with 3/32" basswood for the fins. To make a fin template the instruction drawings were dropped into Corel draw and the body tube enlarged to almost 1" wide, the diameter of a BT-50 tube. The ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 8, Nose Cone Fill and Define (2018-04-06)The nose cone shoulder wasn't very sharp either. I did the same treatment the adapter got. CWF, slid into the tube and turn. This is a very different nose cone shape. How can you define the inside ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 9, Ends and Edges (2018-04-07)Even thought the fins were basswood, there is still some grain to fill. You don't have to use CWF but filler/primer will smooth any grain lines. This picture shows a fin side after sanding off most ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 10, Black Mask and Decals (2018-04-09)One fin is masked and painted black. Here I'm pressing and sealing the edge of the Scotch tape mask using a Q-tip. The Q-tip does the job and won't scar a wood fin. The original Estes decal sheet ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 11, Decals and Chrome! TIPS (2018-04-10)The fin can wasn't glued in yet. The UNITED STATES vertical decal is centered between two fins. TIP: Sight down the body from the fins forward, place and center the United States decals on opposite ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Fin Can Build, Part 12, Fin Plates and Nose Detail (2018-04-11)Below the trim piece you can see a thin strip of masking tape. All four sides got a strip of tape for consistent spacing from the bottom of the fin can tube. Place the center area down first , ... [Read More]
Estes Saros, K-54 Build, Finished (2018-04-12)Another classic crossed off my list. This is a good looking model, I was very happy with how the chrome fin plates turned out. Not an exact copy but close enough for me! Anonymous wrote in a ... [Read More]
TOP TEN BUILDS for 2018, Part 1 (2018-12-30)Each year I look back on the builds and pick the Top Ten. These countdown from 10 to 1, from the worse to the best kits. Some choices are personal and might not agree with your experience. But, it's ... [Read More]
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