Erik,
I suspect I’d have lots of issues with painting, in general, if I lived anywhere with humidity.

The Tamiya fluorescent was a complete surprise. I was in a hobby store and on a whim decided to try their paint. I’ve not bought other fluorescent Tamiya colors but I need to see if they all go on like the red.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Lee:

I only dull coat my Comanche 3s because the instructions say so. And because I'm incapable of independent thought.

That red looks great! I've been looking for bright red to use on my next Red Max build so I'll probably try that.

Alpha Kid:

We stay fairly busy at my club but I can't imaging an hour wait for a pad.

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Just completed: Estes Cherokee-E, Estes Multi-Roc.

Current project: Painting the roll pattern on my new Ventris build, gifted me by the estimable Dr. Houchin.

Ahh, I haven’t read the instructions on my Comanche-3 kit completely. I looked briefly at it to see how they did the mounts in the top stages, since I’m currently building a 24mm version of the booster for a Farside-X.

I think it must have been an evil plan by Estes to encourage the use of Dullcote, to reduce your chance of seeing it, so you have to buy another kit. But ... I applaud your effort to faithfully build the rocket as intended.

Now, the bad news. I am not sure that the Tamiya fluorescent red is still available. It is mysteriously listed as “unavailable” on several sites, just like another Tamiya color I tried to get a few months ago. I think I need to go shopping locally and see if I can find it. I hope you can find it, too.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

UPDATE:

I found the Tamiya Fluorescent Red at a HobbyTown here. They had 5 cans. Maybe it’s just old stock, but I bought a couple. If I find out it’s been discontinued, I’ll go buy the rest.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

A very quick build. Probably could have finished in 30 minutes or so if I wanted to. Old school, no upgrades (Elmer's white glue only, no kevlar). The 60th anniversary Alpha VI.

A very fun process. Has anyone else built one of these?

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Just completed: Estes Cherokee-E, Estes Multi-Roc.

Current project: Painting the roll pattern on my new Ventris build, gifted me by the estimable Dr. Houchin.

I've looked at them in at our new Hobby Lobby that opened up a few months ago, but I picked up some balsa blocks to turn nose cones from instead.

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Jay Goemmer
"Centuri Guy"/"Tau Zero"
YORF Member 28
Semroc SAM #0029
NAR 86131


"I think about organizing things all the time. Never seems to happen. I find something that piques my interest and I'm off on a quest. Or a Centuri. "

--Bill Eichelberger, 02/22/2022


“Centuri fret buzz in an updated form.”
Bill “Wallyum” Eichelberger re: Estes Flutter-By
03 Sept 2014

Yup, nice looking little model. I did use Beacon Fabri Tac for the plastic to paper joint and did an engine mount Kevlar leader/longer elastic fabric shock cord. Probably fly it once or twice on 13mm motors with an adapter then retire it. That pearl finish should look pretty nice in the sun!

The Estes goodie bag at NARAM included an Alpha VI. I built it when I got home. I was very impressed with the incredibly tight seams in the pearlescent body tube.

I did see the Alpha VI at our Hobby Lobby recently. About the only new kit I’ve seen at HL in many months, other than possibly a new starter set. They have so many different starter sets now, that you’d not really notice if a few new ones showed up.

Disappointing for sure!

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

I got one from eRockets before NARAM-60 and flew it there. It went to 1110 feet on an Estes C6-5 (per FireFly aboard). Probably should've used a C6-7.

Here it is on the pad just before that flight.

One thing about it mystifies me....and that's that it retails for significantly less than an Alpha III, to which, save for a half an inch of length, it's physically identical. But Alpha and Alpha III pricing has always mystified me.

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Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE

I think I'm going to move my new V2 to the top of my build pile.

I'll create some historical link between this particular one and Stalag 13.

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Just completed: Estes Cherokee-E, Estes Multi-Roc.

Current project: Painting the roll pattern on my new Ventris build, gifted me by the estimable Dr. Houchin.