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  #1  
Old 10-08-2017, 11:30 PM
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timorley timorley is offline
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Default Semroc xKit Space Plane

This is going to be my next project. Semroc xKits are basically a bag of parts to clone classic rockets. This will be a clone of the Estes K-3 Space Plane.
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Tim

"You know, it, uh, won't fly unless somebody pushes the button." From the movie October Sky.

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  #2  
Old 10-09-2017, 09:27 AM
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I built one almost immediately after Carl offered this one.
Very fun build and flies great.
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  #3  
Old 10-09-2017, 11:37 AM
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Had the original Estes kit back in 1969, only that it didn't have any precut balsa parts. The one and only time I launched it (my very first B/G), boosted great and good glide, but the elevator stab and "screws" to keep the elevators straight during boost was badly damaged during engine ejection.
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Old 10-09-2017, 04:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwmzmm
Had the original Estes kit back in 1969, only that it didn't have any precut balsa parts. The one and only time I launched it (my very first B/G), boosted great and good glide, but the elevator stab and "screws" to keep the elevators straight during boost was badly damaged during engine ejection.


Same thing happened with mine..
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Old 10-09-2017, 07:59 PM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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I bought one, in the archaic packaging, around 1971. Built it, but I was really young and didn't do things right and never flew it.

I have one or two self-made clone-part packages, and the "official" X-kit.

I should try to get them together one of these days! I'll give them dope finishes.
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  #6  
Old 10-11-2017, 11:11 PM
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This is going quicker than I anticipated. The Estes instructions are thorough, and if you follow them it goes together fairly easily. The Semroc parts are excellent and make it all the easier to build this classic. I quit for the night. The landing skid still needs to be attached and I have some sanding to do. I am not going to attach the elevator elastic thread until after it is painted.
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Tim

"You know, it, uh, won't fly unless somebody pushes the button." From the movie October Sky.

I am SAM # 0167
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  #7  
Old 10-11-2017, 11:14 PM
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One issue I faced was how to get the stabilizers glued at the correct angle. I solved it with a jig made from some scrap balsa and made sure it was square. This made it simple.
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Tim

"You know, it, uh, won't fly unless somebody pushes the button." From the movie October Sky.

I am SAM # 0167
NAR 98303 Southwestern Ohio Rocketry Association (SORA) #624
https://www.rocketryohio.com
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  #8  
Old 10-12-2017, 01:37 AM
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I suggest you paint it with Sig/Brodak/Pactra AeroGloss Dope instead of enamel. 5 coats of sprayed dope is far lighter than two coats of enamel. Light=right for boost glider performance.
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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
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  #9  
Old 10-12-2017, 09:43 AM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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I like that jig!

I keep most scrap balsa from my kits and builds. I bet I have enough to build something like that.

Ditto what Bill said about dope. A coat of sealer and a coat of dope would look fine.
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  #10  
Old 10-12-2017, 11:07 AM
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At first I was thinking getting the stabilizers to be the right angle with the wings and parallel to each other was going to be a PITA. I started down the path of making an angled jig, and then I was like wait a minute, making this too hard in this specific case, a simple piece of scrap balsa that's the right length and square works perfect since it can also rest on the wings at the joint will get the needed results.

This is a neat little build.

Yeah, I know dope would be the lightest and best route to go to maximize the glide duration, but not sure I care in this instance. But I'll consider it.
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Tim

"You know, it, uh, won't fly unless somebody pushes the button." From the movie October Sky.

I am SAM # 0167
NAR 98303 Southwestern Ohio Rocketry Association (SORA) #624
https://www.rocketryohio.com
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