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  #1  
Old 12-02-2016, 09:12 PM
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Default Scratch building the Astron Avenger.

I think I'll scratch-build a great old 2-stager: The K-38 Astron Avenger!

I had all of the parts on hand except for the BNC and the reducer--both of which I just bought from Semroc.

The black and white pattern on the model I can replicate with adhesive film, so I won't need any decals.

TBC
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Old 12-02-2016, 10:36 PM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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The Avenger was one of the first clones I built. It came out really nice, and flew great. I used a B14-0 to A8-5 ont he maiden flight, as I recall. Really zoomie!

Have fun!
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Old 12-02-2016, 11:01 PM
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That's a "wet" finish on that nose cone! Is it balsa?
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Old 12-02-2016, 11:19 PM
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Balsa cone. Lots of filling and sanding. Extra glossy thanks to Future.

That picture was taken about 2000. I hadn't learned about compounding or wet sanding yet.
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Old 12-03-2016, 04:14 AM
Rex R Rex R is offline
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that is a nice looking bird. I did a mod to mine during the first rebuild(and the 2nd) which was to use an engine hook for the sustainer(the type w/o the finger tab). the other thing I did differently was to wrap some 1/4" masking tape around the top of the booster motor (after the motors were taped together) to keep the casing from leaving the booster during staging. maiden flight after the 2nd rebuild was a full stack C6 to C6-7. still think Estes should bring the Avenger back.
Rex
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  #6  
Old 12-03-2016, 08:22 AM
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The Avenger was my son's first two stager and one of his first few clones.

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Old 12-03-2016, 09:02 AM
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Great photos, guys! Thanks for sharing.

My balsa treatment of choice is to make up a slurry of Elmer's wood filler with water (approx. the consistency of ketchup) and then brush it on to the BNC and the reducer with a 1/2" mop brush.

This has now dried overnight and looks like crap--but not for long.

TBC
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  #8  
Old 12-03-2016, 09:24 AM
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After sanding the balsa parts with 320 and producing a pile of powder that could bring the DEA to my door in doing so, the balsa parts take their final shape.

I then brush them with the first of two coats of Deluxe. After only one more coat of Deluxe and then painting, the cone and reducer will be indistinguishable from plastic.

I know there's lots of preferred methods for filling and finishing balsa (I've tried them all) but this is my current method of choice.

TBC
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4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

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  #9  
Old 12-03-2016, 10:29 AM
scigs30 scigs30 is offline
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Are you doing the same with balsa fins? I have tried wood filler slurry before and that was a lot of sanding and messy. I'm with you, I've tried everything but keep going back to Aerogloss for ease of sanding and finish product. Since I sent you the Deluxe sanding sealer, I now see it at local hobby stores.
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Old 12-03-2016, 12:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scigs30
Are you doing the same with balsa fins? I have tried wood filler slurry before and that was a lot of sanding and messy. I'm with you, I've tried everything but keep going back to Aerogloss for ease of sanding and finish product. Since I sent you the Deluxe sanding sealer, I now see it at local hobby stores.


I don't use the Elmer's filler on fins unless they have keep dents or gnarly endgrain (and then if they're really trashed I simply recut them from basswood.) I use only the Deluxe. The same number of coats of Deluxe (usually 4) as Aerogloss finishes them nicely. For basswood or plywood fins just (2) coats of either is usually more than enough.

TBC
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Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

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