Hello all,

I stumbled on this forum while perusing the web for model rocket plans my son and I want to build. Glad I did, there is some great topics and posts in here. No doubt I'll be on here quite a bit!

I'm new to the hobby, but I've got a bit of experience building models and I wanted to challenge myself withsome new projects. Well, my son has his heart set on the Estes Blackhawk for one. It looks like it would be a fun and challenging project for us.

After studying the plans (thanks to Ye Olde Rocket Plans!!!) I wasn't sure of the materials used for the fuselage construction. But after some deliberation, I've decided to proceed with the project using cardstock.

If anyone has one of these birds in their collection, or remembers what it was made of I would greatly appreciate the input!

In any event, I'll be posting the project here and on my blog if anyone is interested in the outcome.

Thanks!!!

Piet

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Peter Olivola
(polivola@gmail.com)

I never built the Blackhawk, but I built the Greyhawk. (Never gave much thought to the similarities before, in either name or construction.) The Greyhawk used cardstock that was somewhere in thickness between heavy bond typing paper and the heavy duty stuff Estes uses for centering rings. It can't be too rigid because it has to conform to some odd shaped surfaces, but it also can't be too flimsy because it will be providing some strength to the airframe.

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Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

I believe the Blackhawk is similar if not identical to the Centuri Buck Rogers Starfighter. Hence, the Blackhawk is constructed of cardstock pieces, paper body tubes, and (2) plastic nose cones. There's no balsa parts, but there are some dowels and toothpicks. The thinnest cardstock pieces are embossed with details for the canopy and superstucture. I've built at least (2) Starfighters within the last (5) years and I still have the cardstock sheets that the held the original parts from one of the builds. If you would like the empty sheets to try to replicate the cardstock parts, you're welcome to them--but I assure you it won't be easy, but not impossible to replicate the parts.

If you want the sheets, send me your address and I'll mail them to you, but I won't be able to do it until this weekend because I'm on a job in NC this week.

Jeff

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Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Thank you for your help guys!

I really thought the Blackhawk was comprised of mostly cardstock. But its nice to have some experienced foks confirm that for me.

It certainly looks like a challenging build. I've printed copies of the die-cut sheets and glued them down over pieces of cardstock, which I can cut out with a hobby knife. The cardstock I am using is about the thickness of the bodytubes, and is rigid, but foldable.

Thanks for the offer Jeffyjeep! I may take you up on that if the way I am doing it doesn't work.

You're welcome. The cardstock of the kit was in (3) different thicknesses. If all of the cardstock you're using is only as thick as a body tube, it may be too thin.

I built this BRIT25C Starfighter last year. The rear shot of the nacelles shows the varigation of the cardstock thicknesses.

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__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Progress update on the Blackhawk project:

The rocket itself is about 99% complete. Still need to glue the bottom fuselage plates, and launch lug as well as install the parachute and shock cord. Waiting on an order from Uncle Mike's to arrive either today or tomorrow that has the parachute, shock cord and launch lugs for this rocket.

If all goes well, her maiden flight should be this weekend.

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Your Blackhawk is coming along nicely! Can't wait to see finished photos!

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SAM #0354

That's awesome! A real challenging scratch build!

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Many Thanks guys!!! It was a lot of fun building this project. I'm not sure if it's my 5 year old son, or if it's me, that's more excited to see this rocket launch. I received confirmation that my order arrived today, which means that the final pieces are going to be put on tonight and painting will begin tomorrow. Going with a traditional gloss black, and hand painting the cockpit windows and other details, as I don't have the decals for the original kit. Plus, I promised to paint "Capt. Andrew" on the side of it for my son.

More pictures, of (hopefully) better quality will be coming soon. Oh, and quick question, I'd like to post a video of the maiden flight, can I post a link to a youtube video in here?