1/12 Scale Mercury-Atlas Build Thread

[mbauer]

Printed out another stomp rocket conversion yesterday. Planning on one engine, but had no idea this was going to weigh this much.

Probably have to fly this one after I get my High Power Certifications.

300gsm Paper on a 1/12 scale model that will be over 8ft tall when done weighs a bunch.

One of the main reason why I bought the MOAB Slickrock Metallic Silver was for a F014 project and this one: 1/12 Scale Mercury Atlas Friendship 7.

Printed after final design changes and today building. only 1:50pm and already most of rocket is done. In a few will glue the shell.

1/12 Scale Mercury-Atlas Friendship 7

A few photos while I build a Mercury-Atlas that will be over 8ft tall.

Capsule and adapter to mate to the Atlas Rocket:


Foam:


Cutting the card stock parts out:


Completed Parts waiting for further construction:


1-tab is glue at the rear seam. Letting it get a good cure. Then will glue opposite side 3-tabs, before gluing 4-tabs on the sides. Little Tick marks are the secret to keeping the cones straight. See ticks on top of capsule and side:


Dual Foam glued in place, time to glue in card stock support tube. It will act as a pressure vessel when the ejection charge does its thing. Should pop the top off and deploy the chute. Just like a stomp rocket!:


Glue work time:


Foam Patterns:


Card stock Patterns cut out:


Foam marked, that is the last of my 10inc x 10inch sheets. Very few 14” x 22” left as well. Time to start cutting my own with my home made hot knife table.


Mike

[mbauer]

Shiny Stuff Ahead!

Hurts to not where sunglasses when working with this Slickrock. 300Gsm and almost like plastic. Titebond; Quick and Thick works great-just don't use too much.

Alleene's works but need to clamp for long time. Main reason why I'm writing and posting-once it sets, will glue fuselage shell ready for foam internals.

Plan to reproduce the red tower look for this model!

Mating Capsule to Atlas. This will be the break point for the ejection/parachute system. This cone will self center on the same cone underneath it that is attached to the Atlas, Oh! The capsule itself is setup like a stomp rocket, once the ejection charge times out, the capsule will launch like a stomp rocket, hopefully pulling the chute out for a safe landing!:

*Hate super glue-glad to find alternatives!

Sunglass needed with this stuff. It hurts the eyes without! Cutting any any light seems to burn holes in your eyes without them-you can see the far right glue seam. It doesn't have any ink-very light shade of gray gives it the chrome metallic look!:


Time to roll one up!


Red Stuff:



Mike

[mbauer]

Weight of Capsule, Adapter Cone, and fuselage: 18.4oz! Yikes!

Gluing fuselage one section at a time trying not to use too much glue-it stains immediately as you will soon see!:


Big issue-Divet came from rolling, not sure how, but when done gluing the parts flat, this Divet showed up:


Divet


Stainless Steel Shiny? Photo Paper for sure 300gsm. Hard to work with. Engine fairings are going to be interesting:


Mike

[rifleman]

wow thats awesome looking great nice build

[dhanners]

That’s a big rocket. Fine work!

[mbauer]

Ran into several design related issues when trying to install the engine shrouds/fairings. Did not check the drawing for errors. There was a big issue with the shroud shape/design. Once I figured out the correct answer on how to fix (several re-draws and printing parts) was able to use the original part and trace the new part shape before cutting them down to the new size.

Gluing this photo paper is not easy. Any extra and it makes a mess. You can see this on the photos I'm attaching.

1/12 Scale Mercury/Atlas weighs 28.4oz without the recovery system or engines in it.

Even after the redrawing the final part was too big, lots of problems when gluing an oversize part onto the model. Shrouds look bad! The rubber bands I used to pre-roll the parts with left some marks on the paper that can be seen in the photos.

Photos:
Welding hood lens 4-1/2” x 5-1/4” used for the fins:


Bottom Former, needs fixed:


Gluing the tabs:


Alignment of cone to fuselage:


Inserting the internals:


“Shoe Horn” used to help the bulkheads slide in:


Final fit test:


Changes have been made to bottom former:


Looking inside the top parachute bay:


“Pencil” Changes to the design:


Mike

[mbauer]

The shine that has me wearing sunglasses for this build:


Shroud/Fairing Gluing:


Re-size of part Pattern, after tracing time to cut and install. Parts ended up being to big anyway, major issues gluing these on on the shell:


Needs Recovery System-Weight is 28.4oz at this stage:


Closeup of Fins and Engine shroud:


Rocket Garden:





Working on a full size ARCAS next.

Mike

[dhanners]

Looks good, and once you get the details on, it’ll be quite eye-catching.

Nice rocket garden, too….

[surfduke]

Very impressive project!!

[mbauer]

Originally Posted by dhanners

Looks good, and once you get the details on, it’ll be quite eye-catching.

Nice rocket garden, too….

Usually don't do the details other than graphic. Saves weight. The Atlas weighs more than 28oz / 805gm. Only single High Power can lift it. I have a F15-4 that can lift 21oz, it will not work. Did not want to cluster this one because cluster have issues lighting. Finally went with two E12-4 24mm engines to power. Total lifting weight of 34oz available. Once ready for flight-not sure if they will work. Other items total up to 4.1oz plus glue to install (chute, engines, etc..)

It might become a static display, if that happens I will add the details. There is an Escape tower. It shines in the dark when the lights are out. The moon-light coming through the windows lights it up.

Mike