Star Trek Starter Rocket Restarted!

Well, it's been a rough row to hoe, but we made it! The Star Trek Starter Set Rocket Upscale is reborn! As I said before, it was actually a little harder rebuilding her than it was to build her in the first place. The issue is that you need to do things like removing old glue and paint and (if possible) straightening bent parts.

Of course you can also tweek issues that might have been missed on the original build. For example, this rocket is actually 3/4 inch shorter. That makes it closer to true scale. Also, the fin decals are now on the correct fins (as seen in the catalog). It is just a little detail I missed the first time.

I found out that my wife Laurie is actually better at applying the Stickershock wraps than I am! I think she may be a little more patient. (I guess she needs to be with me around!). Anyway, she put on the main wrap, and I put on the fin decals.

Here are the pictures of the final build!

Using my trailer as a painting stand...

Laurie's handiwork!

The final product! (Note the cameo by the Pturpledactyl Jr.)

So there you have it! Now to get her back in the sky! Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

STSR Update...

"STSR" stands for "Star Trek Starter Rocket" for those of you who may be wondering.

Well, I am progressing with my rebuild of the rocket. I was able to make some pretty good progress this weekend. How much? Well, I'm glad you asked!

I installed the new engine mount and glued the fins on. No high tech fin jig here, just a straight edge and masking tape! That's a 54 mm convertable mount (38mm and 29mm also). 

All four fins are on, and all internal fillets are finished. I beefed them up from what I had on the crashed rocket. I also put the rear centering ring in. The fins and rings are from the crashed rocket. 

Then I added the external fillets. Since the internal fillets were so massive, these could be a little smaller. If you look very closely, you can see the rebuilt ejection piston sticking out of the other end. I had to replace the coupler part, but the bulkhead and shock cord were fine.

And there she is! Next comes paint and Stickershock's beautiful wrap! By the way, extra points to anyone who can identify two other PML rockets in this picture...

So there you have it! Hopefully by this time next week she'll be finished...but I don't want to jinx it. Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

October Rebirth...

When one thinks of new life springing from the ashes of the old, May or June might be the months that come to mind. When one thinks of things being reborn in October, one thinks more along the lines of...I don't know...maybe zombies? Anyway, that is exactly what is happening in my garage this weekend. Not a zombie attack, but a rocket rebirth!

As you may know, my Star Trek Starter Set upscale rocket decided to destroy itself a few weeks ago. Streaming in from full altitude, the ejection charge went off just in time to knock the nose off before it slammed into the rock hard east Texas black clay. The damage was horrible for both the rocket and my ego.

Upon getting it home I looked at the damage and decided to rebuild. I really only needed to replace the main Quantim tube, the Quick Change motor mount, the coupler section of the ejection piston, and the wraps. A couple of quick emails to Stickershock (for the wraps) and PML (for everything else) and I was back in business!

The old and the new... broken parts mixed with their shiny new replacements! 

This weekend, I started building. Or, more accurately, I've started deconstruction...and then building. I will say that the deconstruction is the hardest part. We use epoxy on these birds for a reason, and even with a Dremil tool it does NOT like to let go! Still, at this moment everything has been taken apart and (after a little clean up) will be ready to go back together!

Maybe this story is closer to Frankenstein than the Easter bunny...

Anyway, soon she should be flying again! I'll let everyone know when she's finished (again)!

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!