I think this is a real neat looking kit and should make for nice rocket. Remember going to hobby store and looking on the backside of the Estes package? Wondering how will all these cardboard and balsa pieces in this flat package produce the rocket on the front?

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It's nice to see that they are getting back into that type of building again as shown by the Scorpion, Lynx, Puma models.

__________________
Bernard J. Herman Ohio RLS

Starport Sagitta Rockets
email bherman@sagittarockets.com

NAR # 97971 SR

What's your idea on the best way to change Washington D.C.?
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Sagitta Cantina

We're looking for a few good Catos, please tell us about any you may have had. Survey of Anecdotal Malfunctioning Engines or S.A.M.E.

Very neat kit.
This one along with the Rigel 3 (with the former Odyssey nose cone) are the only Estes "Futuristic" multi-stagers.

__________________
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 !

I've always wanted to clone that one.

I even have decals for it.

Just so you know how long ago I planned to clone it, I got the decals from JimZ.

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"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

I have one of those kits built during the 80's (I think around 1985) along with my Rigel 3.
They are both 'draggy' enough as to where I made both boosters 24mm.
The C11 gives it a nice kick off the pad staged to an A8-5 keeps the flight at a reasonable altitude for modest flying sites.
The 24mm mod to the booster also allows one to adapt down to 18mm as well.
Both the Rigel 3 and the U.S.S. Pleiades make good use of B8-0 and B14-0 boosters if you can find them.
The last time I used a B14-0 booster about 5 years ago was during the last time I flew my Rigel 3.
I used a B8-0 in my U.S.S. Pleiades during the same day.
That may have been my last B8-0; I know I dont have any of those left, but still have plenty of B14-0's should the need arise.

__________________
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 !

Well this build went together pretty quick I thought it would be a little slower build. Sorry I don't post my step by step builds but I am building straight from the plans with no modifications or fancy tricks. Also if you are looking for tips then look at Chris Model Rocket blog, he offers tips and advice on building rockets. For me I keep everything simple using the same techniques I used back in the day and the same supplies. Estes instructions are pretty detailed and the kit comes with nice guides to keep everything angled correctly. The only thing with these old builds is the die cut parts can be a challenge. They are sometimes chipped or warped and I just do my best to work around this. Also matching fins are not always matching, so I stack them together and sand the same size trying to keep the same shape. Laser cutting kits makes building much easier IMO. The booster has a 3/8 gap and this will be painted black as per the instructions. After the glue dries I will apply 2 passes of fillets with white glue and allow to dry 24 hours and begin brushing on Aerogloss balsa sealer for a smooth balsa surface. The Interceptor nose is pretty big when compared to the body tube, I really like this futuristic design.

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I was out of rocketry when this kit came out. I didn't realize Estes did any futuristic stagers. Pretty cool kit. I have a few Interceptor nose cones and would not mind cloning this sometime.

I see that decals for the canopy are included. I've had pretty good results lately on painting a couple nose cones with canopies, but for which I had no decals. I spayed on the canopy color, mask when dry using Microscale Liquid Mask and a fine paint brush, and then spray the body color. The mask peels off with really clean lines.

sandman,

I am assuming you could do these decals now that your printer is operational again?

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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

Yes, but please, give me a few days. Some family stuff just came up.

__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

Thanks. I'm not ready for decals, just inquiring that you have the ability to make them.

I've got about four builds going on right now. And awaiting good enough weather to paint.

__________________
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 sprayed a couple coats of primer followed by Rustoleum Gloss White and flat black on the booster ends. I hope to have time on Sunday to sand some of the fuzz on the end of the BT and apply the old decals. This is a busy week for me so looks like Sun morning is my next day available.

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