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-   -   Build thread: Boyce Aerospace 1:14 Nike Ajax (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=18171)

jeffyjeep 11-09-2019 07:32 PM

Build thread: Boyce Aerospace 1:14 Nike Ajax
 
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YAY!!

Today the USPS delivered my Boyce Aerospace Nike Ajax kit (parts!)

The order included everything in the photos except for the ST-10, ST-11, and BT50 tubes that the builder has to supply themselves and that I had on hand already. I've not cut the tubes to length yet.

I've not been this excited about a build in a LONG time! Should be fun.

TBC

jeffyjeep 11-10-2019 08:58 AM

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I've measured, cut, and labeled the tubes. (Oooo! Ahhhh!)

TBC

jeffyjeep 02-16-2020 08:21 PM

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Now after a hiatus of just over 3 months I've continued work on the Boyce Nike Ajax. This will sharpen my limited skills with working with 3D printed parts to prep me for tackling the Gemini Titan that's on it's way.

As was described by another member on another thread, I first sanded the booster fin can as smooth as possible without removing detail with 220. After 3 coats of high build gray primer and then a heavy buff with #0 steel wool the lines in the plastic are predominately filled and smooth.

The ST-11 tube is epoxied onto the fin can and the upper 3D printed LL is epoxied onto the upper end of the tube. The ST-10 tubes are epoxied onto the sustainer fin unit and the lines are drawnd for the conduits.

I'll continue this when I return from Lexington, KY.

Good night.

TBC

Flash 02-17-2020 06:59 PM

Awesome looking rocket! I know what you mean. Boyce Aerospace is really providing some very nice kits that no one else is providing.

I own their :
Saturn 1 SA5
Saturn 1 SA7
Saturn 1B with paper tubes
1/46 Gemini Capsule
1/35 Jupiter C capsule
1/100 Apollo Capsule
Remake of Titan IIIe parts needed to clone Estes old Titan IIIe.

jeffyjeep 03-01-2020 03:34 PM

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Finally shot some color!

After (4) coats of gray primer and (1) coat of white primer to help fill the roughness of the booster fin can and interstage, and with a steel wool buffing in between each coat, I've finally shot the fin can, interstage unit, and rear engine retainer cap with Testor MM #1911 flat olive drab.

It's not too bad. Some of the printing "lines" are still visible but I'll live with them. It's not a museum piece. :rolleyes:

As for the PNC and sustainer fin units, I'll take those to Birmingham, AL with me this week along with assorted sandpaper pieces and my Swiss files and work on smoothing them out in the evenings.

TBC

KILTED COWBOY 03-01-2020 06:36 PM

Looks nice. I also like working on their kits.
I am just finishing up on the Gemini Titan.
The BT80 Mercury Redstone will be next.
I sure wish they would do a realistic Space Shuttle stack builders kit

Flash 03-01-2020 06:47 PM

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Sure hope so my friend.

Just got my Gemini kit Saturday and also a Titan II nose cone, extra bottom section and I already have shapeways mid section for my Titan ii build.

jeffyjeep 03-07-2020 02:25 PM

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Almost done!

I took the nose cone with me to AL and sanded it each evening after work. I sanded, sanded, sanded, and sanded until my fingertips resemble what John Dillinger's must have looked like (pre-mortem, of course.)

When I got home from AL the conduit material was waiting for me in the mail. The conduit stock that was supplied in the kit was just too hard to sand accurately (me me, anyway) so I cut pieces of Evergreen .125" half round styrene. I trimmed the pieces and glued them on to the sustainer portion of the model. The transitions from the molded conduits to the styrene conduits appear nearly flawless. The gray primer I'll be shooting next will tell me how "flawless" it really is! :rolleyes:

TBC

jeffyjeep 03-07-2020 03:17 PM

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Last step before paint prep: I trim and then bevel the lower ends of the conduits.

TBC


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