MarkB.
12-07-2011, 09:40 AM
Guys,
I thought I'd post a picture of my newly completed Estes Arcas clone. Plans from JimZ, tube from the parts bin, balsa, including laser-cut fins and mounts, from Semroc. I added the cut outs on the fins myself and I used a couple of thin wraps of cardstock to simulate the flared base at the nozzle.
The finish was interesting: I filled the spiral with Fast N'Final spackling. Balsa got traditional AeroGloss fillercoat and sanding sealer. I primed the whole rocket with black Dupli-color primer. The entire rocket (other than nose cone) was sprayed with some leftover silver Duplicolor high temp engine paint. After a week of drying, the parachute section (front) was dipped in a glass of Future floor polish. I let that dry overnight and then masked it and painted the motor (rear) section with Rustoleum clear matte. I let that dry over the weekend and then masked and painted the brown stripe (and the nose cone) with Rustoleum Camo paint. I left the masking over the parachute section.
I added a Tango Papa decal that went down very well and then gave the motor section, decal and stripe another coat of clear matte. I removed the masking from the parachute section and, ta-da, two totally different looks from the same spray of silver.
Lurking behind the Estes is an new Semroc Arcas waiting for me to finish the fins. It does give a good size comparision between the two kits. I'm looking forward to finishing it (and a new Semroc Aerobee 150) over Christmas.
I thought I'd post a picture of my newly completed Estes Arcas clone. Plans from JimZ, tube from the parts bin, balsa, including laser-cut fins and mounts, from Semroc. I added the cut outs on the fins myself and I used a couple of thin wraps of cardstock to simulate the flared base at the nozzle.
The finish was interesting: I filled the spiral with Fast N'Final spackling. Balsa got traditional AeroGloss fillercoat and sanding sealer. I primed the whole rocket with black Dupli-color primer. The entire rocket (other than nose cone) was sprayed with some leftover silver Duplicolor high temp engine paint. After a week of drying, the parachute section (front) was dipped in a glass of Future floor polish. I let that dry overnight and then masked it and painted the motor (rear) section with Rustoleum clear matte. I let that dry over the weekend and then masked and painted the brown stripe (and the nose cone) with Rustoleum Camo paint. I left the masking over the parachute section.
I added a Tango Papa decal that went down very well and then gave the motor section, decal and stripe another coat of clear matte. I removed the masking from the parachute section and, ta-da, two totally different looks from the same spray of silver.
Lurking behind the Estes is an new Semroc Arcas waiting for me to finish the fins. It does give a good size comparision between the two kits. I'm looking forward to finishing it (and a new Semroc Aerobee 150) over Christmas.