MPC Taurus-1 Vintage Kit
 

This is my last completed rocket build project for 2021 and my first vintage kit I have ever put together. Not a complicated kit. I liked putting this one together and deciding among the few options one could customize it. I got this kit a long time ago and promised the seller that I was going to build it... well it took a few years and finally making good on my promise.

This kit was so old that when I handled the plastic cover, it "exploded," it shattered. It was so brittle that I could not use any of the "formed" parts that were part of the plastic cover...

The decals were in great shape. I only used one decal for the upper part of the kit because I waited close to 45 minutes for it to loosen from the paper, and it still gave me a hard time to remove. I did not wanted to go through the same experience again with the other decals so decided to not use the rest and used leftover decals from past projects. I only printed the name decal.

The balsa was very fragile. Carefully sand shaped the fins first according to instructions, then gave each fin two coats of CA and sanded them to a smooth finish. Glued them to the BT, wood glue for fillets, two coats of Elmers F-n-F and more sanding for a good smooth surface. Primed and painted the rocket with Rustoleum Ultra Cover colors.

The NC also got two coats of CA, sanded it then primed. The primer helped fill what the CA did not. The Rustoleum UC primers do not fill much but it is what I can find locally. I do not like the gray primer as it takes forever to dry and cure, also clogs the sandpaper. The white primer works best for me. The red paint went on well and with a nice shine. Once cured I polished it with 3M Finesse-it II machine polish compound.

I am not planning on assembling the parachute. I will place all the parachute parts into a small ziplog back and place it inside the rocket so not to loose it. The leftover plastic parts are going in my spare part bin for future projects.

A little here, a little there, and it took me about a month to finish this one. Over all a fun kit to build and finish.

Posting pictures for everyone to enjoy.

- R_R

Looks great! In fact, hugely better than the one MPC used for the kit photo. I assume the silver nozzle is for display only and is removed before launching?

Yes, the silver nozzle is one of four that came with the kit and it is removable for launch... for display only.

One more picture of the Taurus-1 alongside the original face card.

Looks really great.. Love the side recruits.