Estes - Star Trek Starship Enterprise
Contributed by Larry Zeilmann
Construction:
This kit is listed as a "Skill Level 4" kit and requires a lot of careful studying of the instructions, cutting, and fitting. In my opinion, I have built easier "Skill Level 5" rated kits. Illustrations are clear and helpful. Especially the two full pages illustrating the painting and placement of decals. Even though the instructions seem fairly logical in order, I still built this model in subassemblies. When using this method of construction, I found myself jumping all over the instructions. This method keeps the construction process flowing at a steady pace, and cuts down the construction time considerably. Even though several templates are included to help with the alignment, I still found this to be one of the most difficult processes. Correct alignment of the Bridge and Engine pods require a lot of patience. A slow setting glue will allow you to make small changes as the glue dries that will greatly improve the finished project. Follow the instructions verbatim when cutting out the vacuum formed parts. Take your time, and less finishing effort will be necessary later on down the road. Sturdiness is difficult to obtain when dealing with a rocket that has so many parts hanging off. Some sturdiness can be gained by spending considerable time running glue fillets. No special tools were required to build this rocket, but a container of Elmer's Wood Filler will go a long way in greatly improving it's finished image. Finishing:
After the construction phase was complete I spent a considerable amount of time laying glue fillets to obtain a little more sturdiness. Then I sealed all Vacuum formed part joints with Elmer's wood filler. After the filler dried I was able to sand the joints, removing all flaws and obtaining a seamless joint appearance. Three coats of spray on Kilz wood sealer, lightly sanded and then followed up by three coats of Krylon Gloss Gray resulted in a great, smooth finish. Now a very fine detail brush and steady hand is required to paint the dozen individual small details. Additional colors used were red, green, dark gray, silver, and bronze. CAUTION: when painting vacuum formed parts with Krylon: Krylon applied direct to vacuum formed parts may result in the part softening, and in some cases even melting. That is why a sealer is a necessity. The Kilz protects the vacuum formed part from the adverse affects of Krylon and allows me to still obtain the nice finish that Krylon offers. There are many water slide decals requiring a steady hand and patience. For the smaller micro decals, I would place them on the tip of a fine X-acto knife blade to cut down on the cumbersome process of placing them with big clumsy fingers. Placement is well illustrated on two pages in the instruction. Decals are what really make this model stand out when finished. To keep them from being inadvertently scraped off during flight, I always seal them in place with three coats of Krylon clear gloss paint. Construction Rating: 4 out of 5 Flight: Preparation is the standard Estes Wadding. Motor retention is accomplished by the Motor clip. Since this rocket's bridge acts like a large fin, a weighted stability boom is required for flight to move the CG forward of the CP located on the bridge. Any effort to fly this rocket without the stability boom should be discouraged as it would surely result in it's destruction. With the boom, and on a C5-3 motor. the rocket flew amazingly straight to approximately 250-300 feet. The chute deployed nicely at apogee on this motor and delay. Recovery: The only two changes I would consider is maybe building a baffle to incorporate in the long stability boom and thereby dumping the need for wadding. A nylon chute would also be a nice touch but remember that weight is critical on this underpowered 18mm powered rocket. Flight Rating: 4 out of 5 Summary: However one CON aspect of this kit contributes it's biggest PRO characteristic. If the effort is expended on painting and decal placement, you will end up with a rocket that is destined to be tree'd by the rocket Gods. The finished rocket looks to nice to fly, repeatedly! Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Flight Log
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Brief: 
