The balsa sheet is 3/32". Did you use 1/16" basswood to save weight?

__________________
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

Now for shaping the slotted panel supports. First I wrap and tape 220 sandpaper around the main BT. Then with painter's tape wrapped backwards around my fingers, I sand the root contour into the panel supports. I then forward-scrape the bevels into the ends using 220 taped to a dead-flat piece of Corian.

.....and voila! TBC

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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

It was a combination of weight and the fins looked too thick as solar panels. That one was never going to fly anyway.

__________________
Gravity is a harsh mistress
SAM 002
NAR 91005
"The complexity of living is eminently favored to the simplicity of not."

Hmmm. I think I have both thicknesses in my stash. I'll have to decide.

Now that the engine mount/faux nozzle assembly is cured (after surviving the Yuengling attack), I've inspected the nozzle bell with a loupe and the entire rim is covered with hailine cracks--making it weaker than it already is. I may strenghten it by coating the inside of the bell with epoxy. TBC

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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

The high density esters have escaped!!

I think anything of that vintage is going to have a problem with the plastic. I know of no way to prevent the cracking from happening, even with gentle handling. The small rims on the docking ports are also hard to maintain their integrity. Also a very delicate application of adhesive when applying the wrap - it will prefer to crack rather than bend with the slightest provocation. I have tried warming the parts prior to application (not on a model this old) and had success.

On the small plastic parts; if you sand them on your corian very slowly in a circular motion the edge heats up a little and there is some melting that happens. I suppose this might help to reinforce the rim after sizing the part.

__________________
Gravity is a harsh mistress
SAM 002
NAR 91005
"The complexity of living is eminently favored to the simplicity of not."

I'll warm them by holding them between my thighs. There will be NO photos of that.

You're welcome. TBC

__________________
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

If you decide to fly this bird, you may experience some additional melting...when I was flying my original SkyLab in the 70's with a couple of my buddies who also had them, we all suffered engine heat-related melting of the thrust bell (that vac-formed plastic, even new, couldn't handle that much heat that close to it), AND the small disks inside the "docking ports" in the middle of the body tube melted out from the ejection charges!

But, in the spirit of the day, we just cut the engine bells of a busted Monogram Saturn V, trimmed them to surround the engine mounts, and voila! SkyLabs with plastic engine bells!

(and we glued little wheels from a 1/72 scale fighter jet from the "scrap parts box" into the holes in the docking ports, which sealed them up just fine for future flights!)

Ah, great memories! Keep up the build, it's great to see this all again!

__________________
Dean Fox
NAR #53946SR

---- "Wherever you go, there you are"

Possibly better. One of those things that cannot be un-seen.

__________________
Gravity is a harsh mistress
SAM 002
NAR 91005
"The complexity of living is eminently favored to the simplicity of not."

Oh yeah? Well read 'em and weep, bro! TBC

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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

Those really look remarkably good.

__________________
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