SRW Nike Smoke

Wow! This thing is cool. It's the second smallest rocket I've ever built (The smallest was a mosquito back in my "First born" days) but even being that small it's possibly the most detailed model I've made yet!

Construction

The kit is easy to build, but requires quite a bit of skill, care, and patience. I'll probably buy another one of these in a few months to see if I can make it better. The toughest part is getting the fins right. Being stuck in bed due to my accident I couldent' run up to the store and buy and "Scotch tape" to help define the edge on the fins. I did use a piece of scrap cardboard but it just didn't give me the sharp edge I wanted. I also had problems keeping the sharp points where the leading and root edges meet from smoothing over. The balsa would just get so thin I coulden't keep it from deforming.

I think next time I'll CA the fins before sanding to give them a bit more strength.

CURRENT STATUS:
Built! I'm waiting for a nice day to go outside and get a coat or two of paint on this model. I plan on going through with the exacting scale and keeping the colors faithfull. I'll also thinking bout scratchbuilding a larger version...

I also have to decide if I want to go ahead with the launch lug or not. I don't think I could easily build a fly away lug for somethign this small. But I'm not sure if I want to build a piston or tower launcher for so I won't need the lugs. Decesions Decesions Decesions...

UPDATE 2/97 Well the Nike Smoke has been put in the repair bay due to party damage. However it will be painted in a day or two -3/1/97

Flight Log

Date Engine Comments

Not flown yet

Flight Log
Date	Engine	Comments
Not flown yet

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