.

(BAR-34) 2024-06-27 USS Sarah Connors, a Shrox design

I created a model and then some simulations on this 2012 Out Of Production kit by Shrox

Looks like a challenging build.

2024-06-28 Revision 01: It's all about the dish.

CAD Dwgs Rev 02 Dated 2024-07-16

2024-06-29 Turning The Disc

I used an old 1" pine (glued boards) stairway step board and my wood lathe. Basically like turning a couple of bowls. Came out pretty nice.

2024-06-31 Disc Cutting and Gluing

I cut the Discs in half, then cut a 45 degree section out of each piece.
I then glued the 2 halves together.

2024-07-01 Sand Fitting The Disc To The Body Tube

Spent some time out in the barn sanding the Disc to fit the C-80 Tube. Actually used the body tube with sandpaper wrapped around it. Worked pretty good.

The nasty looking cutouts at the back are clearance cuts for my Altimeter Two. I hogged out the material with my Dremel and will make some cover plates for those sections.

Now I'll go ahead and finish up the CAD Drawings. This one looks like it's a go.

2024-07-11 Warp Nacelle's, Rev 01

Today at 4:55 PM

Revised the design to have rectangular warp nacelles. Updated the CAD package, see Post #6.

So to make the Nacelle's I'm doing a bit of R&D:

I built a 3 piece internal fixture.

The C-60 coupler is soaked in water for 5 minutes and then the internal fixture is inserted.

Then the coupling and fixture is clamped between the two boards to dry.

I'll pull the coupling from the forms and report back.

2024-07-14 Gluing Disc To Inner Coupling: Day 01

Now that all the R&D is done it's time to start building. Started gluing the Disc to the full length internal C-80.

I switched over from Gorilla Wood Glue to Titebond II Premium Wood Glue. This is my 1st time with this, so be easy on me.

I'm using playing cards under the disc to hold it up to the right height. The local Casino gives away old decks, and they are perfect for stacking up and getting the correct height.

2024-07-15 Turning Nose Cone and Day 02 Disc Gluing

Turned the Nose Cone from a scrap piece of 4x4. It had a couple of cracks so I glued those with Titebond II. Also Day 02 of gluing the Disc to the Inner Coupling.

2024-07-15 BT-80H Install

2024-07-19 Internal Disc Fillets and Altimeter Bay

Gluing the internal fillets on the disc, installing an altimeter bay and then installing closures on the rear of the disc.

2024-07-20 Warp Supports

Cut the Warp Supports and Ventral Fins, routed the edges and started gluing them onto the Fuselage and Disc.

2024-07-21 Gluing Stabilizers and Warp Nacelle Prep

Gluing the rear stabilizers and prepped the Warp Nacelles for gluing by removing the outer BT-60 tube in the area where it glues to the stabilizers. Also poked a plethora of holes through the C-60 with a thumbtack to help prevent delamination of the tube.

2024-07-24 Installation Of Warp Nacelles .... because just saying "Warp Nacelles" is awesome

I fixtured up the fuselage and nacelles... so gluing these was a piece of cake.

Progress Photos

2024-07-26 Swing Test

Did a preliminary swing test. Rocket appears to be stable.

Also spent some time on the Open Rocket model and made the tube fins oval... because... well.. Open Rocket.

YouTube Video Of Swing Test

2024-07-27 Screw Eye - Ballast - The Bridge

Screw Eye is 3/16" x 3 " long.

Ballast is a piece of 3/4-10 stud x 1-1/4" long

Turned The Bridge on my wood lathe from a scrap piece of 1" stair step.

2024-07-28 Installed the Ventral Fin and Launch Lug

2024-07-31

Today at 4:34 PM

Cleaning up loose ends before CWF. Added some dowels to the Upper Rear Horizontal Stabilizer and Glued Nose Cone to Fuselage.

2024-08-01 CWF 1st Application

2024-08-04 Primer Day 01

Yesterday at 1:43 PM

Well, after the 5th application of CWF, and subsequent sanding, it's finally primer time!

2024-08-05 Gray And Red Oxide

Sanded and then applied another coat of Gray Rustoleum 2 in 1 Filler Sandable. Let that dry a couple hours, sanded the Gray and then applied a coat of Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer, which is Red-Oxide.