All the real Honest Johns I've seen had these holes OFF Center. I've attached an image that I hope will show how the holes are off center with the holes being closer to the Nose Cone. I've got better images but they are most likely at work

I just built 6 of these models for test flying before production was allowed to go forward. Sanding the diamond airfoil is by far the hardest part on this model The way the fins are laminated makes for a super strong fin. You also have a built in high point to sand to since the fin parts come together at the high point of the fin. I used a wood plan to shape my fins first than final block sand them to shape. To make a really nice fin expect to spend 20 minutes or so on each to get them to look nice.


John Boren

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Well - guess the maxi-brute kit was wrong! Or my memory is bad (haven't built the Maxi HJ in over 20 years....). I'll be sure and put the circles forward! Thanks for the idea on the fin-shaping.

Interesting about the holes in the wrap. All these years I thought they were centered.

I did an article about how to sand the diamond tapered fins:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/educa...wsletter357.pdf

One thing I would recommend,
Make up a few extra laminated fins and practice tapering those first,
then shape the kit supplied fins.

__________________
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

RE sanding plastic:

Wet sanding is your friend!

You can do it right in a sink, so you can rinse off the paper and the piece frequently.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

When I built a workshop in my basement, a shop sink was 1st thing on the list. (The second was a urinal -- my wife suggested a bathroom instead ...) The bathroom is right outside the shop door, and has a shower stall as well as sink and toilet. The shop is dedicated to woodworking now. An adjoining finished room has a rocket workbench, which used to reside in the woodshop.

I've done a lot of wet sanding at that sink. But I've mostly used it to wash out paint trays, brushes, and rollers. We are doing a complete remodel and having a utility sink to use, rather than a kitchen sink or bathtub, is a real time saver, as well as avoiding a mess in finished areas of the house.

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__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

That sounds like an awesome shop!

My shop is my garage. It has a water spigot but no sink. There's a bathroom just inside, but it is a "fancy" half-bath and I wouldn't want to muck it up too much.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

I've always wanted an above ground shop, with plenty of windows to let in natural light. But living in Colorado means that at least my basement shop is comfortable (pretty constant temperature) year-round. I do have an escape window with window well in the shop, so I get a little natural light.

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Has a date been announced for the SLV yet ?
That one is a MUST have as it is so close to the old Enerjet Athena.
Make mine 29mm, please.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

I found a much better image of the holes that are on that strap that goes around the body of the Honest John. It clearly shows how the holes are off set to one side.

So the Real Question is what in the heck is this band with holes in it for?


John Boren

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Yay ! Now I will be able to clone a deep space transport at a reasonable price . Does anyone know what other kits used that particular nose cone? What body tube size is used in this kit.