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-   -   Vintage R2D2 restoration (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=17243)

rocketpunch 05-05-2018 02:34 PM

Vintage R2D2 restoration
 
1 Attachment(s)
Several years ago, a friend of mine gave me a vintage R2D2 rocket that had been assembled, and painted but never flown. It's an original kit from the 70's, not the reissue from the late 90's (which had a plastic body).

The rocket needs some TLC. One of it's legs has fallen off, the shock cord is shot, it's missing the launch lug and the clear fins, but the body wrap is in surprisingly very good condition. It's been kicking around in my spare parts box for years, so I decided it was time to refurbish it.

I want to give it a new paint job, strengthen the joints and maybe upgrade the motor mount to 24mm, as the 18mm is rather anemic for this bird.

The trickiest thing is I don't have the clear fins. I am not sure how I'm going to make them yet, but, what I need are the dimensions of them. Does anyone know them? Or, better yet, is there anyone out there with a set they'd be willing to part with? :)

ghrocketman 05-05-2018 05:39 PM

It can fly without those hideous fins.

rocketpunch 05-05-2018 06:01 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghrocketman
It can fly without those hideous fins.


When you say "fly" do you mean with stability? I'm going to put in a bigger motor. I was thinking I would need to add extra nose weight because of it.

ghrocketman 05-05-2018 06:40 PM

A modicum of stability.
Thaty'll Doo.

rocketpunch 05-06-2018 12:17 AM

7 Attachment(s)
While I'm figuring out the fins, I started to get the rocket prepped to be painted. I was able to get the other lego off pretty easily, and the nose weight/shock cord mount was glued in with wood glue, so it popped out without any problems. Fortunately, while the bottom body detail piece is glued on tight, it hasn't been painted, so I don't need to strip the paint.

I carefully removed the stickers off the dome as best I could. They'll be used for reference to make replacements, either stickers like the original or decals. Haven't decided yet.

Then it was into a bath of ELO for the dome and legs. Now I have clean parts ready to be repainted.

erik442 05-06-2018 03:01 PM

I just finished one of the reissue kits last week. If you still want to add the fins, I can post the dimensions in a day or two.

rocketpunch 05-06-2018 04:02 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by erik442
I just finished one of the reissue kits last week. If you still want to add the fins, I can post the dimensions in a day or two.


That would be terrific. Thanks.

ghrocketman 05-06-2018 04:55 PM

Way more fun to fly WITHOUT the fins.
Put some epoxy/lead shot in the nose for stability instead.

teflonrocketry1 05-07-2018 03:23 PM

Please explain what ELO is?

Overeasy123 05-07-2018 03:39 PM

Google
 
https://www.google.com/search?q=elo...chrome&ie=UTF-8


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