Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Rocketry Product: Custom Rockets - S.L.V. {Kit} (10044)
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 1, Parts (2019-03-17)
From the Custom Rockets website: " Satellite launch vehicle. Impressive, slow liftoffs that look so real. Features injection-molded plastic nose cone, six die-cut balsa fins, and 12” parachute ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 2, Lower Body Support Assembly (2019-03-18)The kit supplies six 20/60 centering rings. These are die-cut, thinner than what you might find in a current Estes kit. That's fine, the way they are used makes for a very strong internal structure. ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 3, Engine Mount Placement (2019-03-19)Here's how the instructions say to lay in glue beads in the 3" BT-60 tube. When assembled, the top and bottom rings are to be flush with the ends of the body tube. The instructions imply a lot of ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 4, Shrouds - Oops! (2019-03-20)After trying to form one of the larger lower shrouds I found a problem. GOTCHA: Look at the ruler next to the shroud sides. One side is 1/32" wider than the other! You couldn't get a good fit on the ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 5, Lower Shroud Assembly (2019-03-21)Looking ahead in the instructions - The two remaining 20/60 rings are glued together. These will support the base of the card stock shroud. TIP: Plan ahead - Be sure you have a good fit over the ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 6, Upper Shroud & Tube Gluing (2019-03-22)On the left I'm rolling off the inside burrs so the ring will slide over the BT-20 a little easier. On the right are both 20/50 rings stacked and glued even with the top of the second BT-20 ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 7, Dowel Trim (2019-03-23)Two dowels are provided for trim. Short lengths go over the joint between the two body tubes. Sand the dowels smooth with 400 grit before cutting them to length. Both dowels are cut to 1 1/2" ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 8, Fin & Launch Lug Gluing (2019-03-23)The instructions say to glue on the dowels centered over the tube joint. They are painted black afterwards with a small brush. The dowels would be hard to paint black after gluing in place. I set ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 9, White Undercoat & Sanding (2019-03-24)TIP: I'll usually paint a model with the nose cone slightly pulled out, maybe 1/16". This gets a bit of paint inside the shoulder. When the model is on the launcher sometimes the nose cone isn't ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 10, Masking Fins & Dowel Trim (2019-03-25)All six fins are masked and painted gloss black. Even though the fin leading edges were left square, I still do a diagonal mask over the top corner tips. On the left there is one diagonal corner ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 11, Sticker Trim - White Peel & Stick (2019-03-25)The kit includes two small sheets of peel and stick decor, one white paper and one clear plastic. I applied the white roll patterns first. Always do a dry fit before peeling off the backing paper. ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Part 12, Sticker Trim - Clear Peel & Stick (2019-03-27)There is still one more large white paper shroud sticker. There is no reference for the starting position. Set down lightly, check the end alignment, lift and try again until everything lines up. ... [Read More]
Custom SLV Build #10044, Finished (2019-03-28)The picture at the left shows the wrap edge matches. This is a detailed model at a good price. There were a few glitches along the way, the miss-matched lower shroud could be a problem for a ... [Read More]
Orlando R.O.C.K. Launch, July 6, 2019 (2019-07-07)Rain was forecast for the afternoon, the idea was to start early and beat the rough weather. Record heat this year, we all felt it. I was there early to help set up the range equipment and ... [Read More]
LAUNCH! Schoolyard Soccer Field, February 16, 2020 (2020-02-17)As close to perfect as the Soccer field gets! Cool weather at 7:00 a.m. and no wind. Sometimes it's surprising what you see this early in the day. Hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of Pelicans ... [Read More]
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