[mbauer]

Time to get the Fuselage shell, the slide-on adapter ring cone (part F1 of the kit) and the rudder support laminations.

I forgot to mention the laminations needed for this kit, when doing the PSI tube in an earlier post.

Basically just laminate them to each other.

The wingtip ribs will need to be cut out individually but the rest can be done by the following method/technique.

The quick method of doing laminations?

Check to see how many are needed of each. Rough cut one of them out, laminate it to a scrap piece of cardstock. Once the glue dries, just cut the top outline out. Part is done and only one cut is needed. This makes for a real nice non-jagged/mis-aligned edges. Inside as well as outside.

The rudder internal support laminations are done by scoring the lines between the lamination and fold like an accordion (actual name is concertina fold). Just glue between folds in the valleys and place heavy weight on top after wiping excess glue from sides!

Ok, now for the prepping...

1st photo shows the fuselage and adapter ring ready for assembly. This ring adds strength/counter-weighting/but most of all it makes the nosecone easier to slide on. Notice that i just single cut the tabs.

2nd photo shows initial gluing the bottom first-just like the nosecone to collar assembly step. After this sets, glue all of the tabs and press them all at once. Since this is a small part with easy access to joint area, you can get away with gluing them all after the initial bottom tack.

3rd photo shows gluing completed.

4th photo shows using a dowel with double sided tape as a third hand once again. This lamination needs to be directly under the Rudder attachment location, the dowel helps with positioning and pressure backing.

5th photo shows inserting the laminations into the fuselage. Be careful as this is real easy to get mis-aligned. It has to be directly under the Rudder Attach position, or it won't work and the Rudder will flop from side to side. Hold up to a bright light (back lighting?) to see if it is aligned properly.

Let these parts dry completely before the next step!

NOTES:
1) Make sure to use a new knife blade or sharpen the one you're going to use for these next steps! No explanation needed as to why.

2) Do not insert the PSI Tube yet! If you cut into it, the rocket won't launch!

6th Photo shows one of the most critical/hard cuts you will do on this model. At first lightly cut a "guide" cut down the outside of the thick "dotted" lines where the tabs are inserted. Keep going over this line until you cut all of the laminations. Or you can "stab" cut after the guide cut has been established as shown.

7th photo shows the wing tab slits getting cut. Although it looks like I stabbed them, I didn't; once again lightly trace the dotted lines for accuracy.

Be sure to follow the center of the dotted line for these cuts!

The wings get their airfoil shape from these slits! The more accurate they are done, the better the model flies.

8th photo shows a different angle of the cutting process.

Fuselage prepping done...almost
Be sure to dry fit the Rudder before inserting the PSI Tube. Forgot to mention this in the cutting of the slits in the prior step. By doing it before inserting the PSI Tube, you ensure proper fit without the chance of cutting the internal tube!

Yep, I haven't shown how to build the rudder yet, so you might want to jumpa ahead to the Tailfeather post-which should be in a little while.