Did some work on this kit today. So far, nay t' bilge-suckin' o' a kit. Begad! I will detail t' "gotcha's" with photo's and descriptions where necessary. Avast!

She is a futuristic version o' t' USAF presidential carrier "Air Force One". (Although that airplane only carries that title when t' president is actually on board.) Powered by Estes or Quest 18 mm engines, possibly even t' AeroTech composite 18 mm engines.

I plan on followin' t' direction t' t' best o' me ability, yet I do plan on some slight moddifications o' me own.

This is me second Quest kit, so I am startin' t' look for their standard flaws. Aye aye! I will point them out when I run into them.

Step 1 thru 6 deal with motor mount construction. I doubt any one really needs me t' show them how t' mark a engine mount tube, shiver me timbers, so no picture for step 1. Begad! Step 2 be simply tapin' t' engine hook t' t' engine mount tube, me bucko, where I encountered me first "gotcha". T' machine Quest uses t' build their engine hooks must be increadably precise, because t' spine is ruler straight.  Apparently all Quest hooks need t' be "massaged" because t' hooks on me escort fighters for this build needed adjusted also.

 Before                                                                            After

I also noticed that t' thrust rin' stuck out a little from t' motor mount tube. Ahoy! A slight shavin' next t' t' engine hook took care o' that. Then it be just a matter o' gluin' in t' thrust ring.

This finally finishes up step 3. Begad! Step 4 was tyin' t' 2 shock cord pieces together, somethin' any one can do. Avast, me proud beauty! Step 5 called out for tyin' t' kevlar end o' t' shock cord around t' motor mount. Step 6 is installation o' t' centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Here comes another surprise. NO relief cut for the aft centerin' rin' t' let t' engine hook move. Arrr! A little carvin' with t' ol Dremmel tool fixed this, but I suppose a sharp knife could have also been used. Once I fixed t' aft centerin' ring, matey, gluin' them t' t' motor mount tube was next (step 6).

Step 7 is simply markin' t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Step 8, put t' motor mount into t' body.

Step 9 thru 12, fin prep. I did this first. Begad! Lately I have been glue and paper coverin' me fins for increased strength. Ya scallywag! I also think that this will be me last rocket t' do this with, me bucko, as epoxy and paper gives a stronger fin with a better surface finish.

Step 13 t' 17 details fin instalation. Well, blow me down! You start with t' spine fin with t' "antenna" fins glued t' it. This is because t' main win' fins glue t' t' spine fin, with their tips restin' on your work surface. #15 is then t' rudder fins, me bucko, and they are nay glued t' t' root. Avast! Rather they get glued t' t' body along t' side o' t' fin. Avast! T' intake fin is next, me hearties, followed by t' canard fins.

One minor "gotcha" on t' win' fins is that t' root edge is perpendicular t' t' sides, yet this leads t' a big gap at t' root edge. Begad! Blimey! Here is where havin' a Dremmel tool helped out t' best, as I was able t' bevel t' roots t' make a tighter fit.

 dang flash washed out t' detail I wanted t' show

Step 18 &19 deal with gluin' t' "communication antenna's" t' t' win' and rudder tips. I pointed mine t' enhance t' detail. Avast! Step 20 concerns gluin' on t' launch lug.

  And I forgot t' photograph a separate shot o' t' antenna install.

Step 21 t' 26 deal with paint, which will be t' next entry.