Read this instruction guide carefully
several times before starting the actual
construction of the model. You need to
familiarize yourself with the overall flow of
the process, since there will be many starting
and stopping points for various
subassemblies. There are many
opportunities for overlapping the
construction of one subassembly while
another is drying, even if the instruction
guide doesn't explicitly show this. Reading
these instructions ahead of time will allow
you to understand what needs to be done and
when, and it allows you to schedule your
building time more productively.
Step 1
Test-fit the pieces together and
make minor adjustments as required for the
pieces to fit friction-tight, but not so tight
that the pieces are damaged, not so loose
that the pieces fall apart.
Step 2
The two large end pieces should be
spaced about 2” apart, with the tubes
holding them together. One of the end
pieces should be about 1/16” from the edge
of the tubes, and the other end piece about
2” inward from there. Insert a 1/8” balsa
spacer between the tubes at each end piece
to keep them properly aligned. Slide all
three of the movable small end pieces onto
the tubes at the far end and space them
about 1” apart.
Step 3
Insert a scrap piece of BT-50
tubing through the large holes of the two
end pieces. Inspect the alignment and make
adjustments to ensure that the BT-3 tubes
are parallel to each other and to the scrap
BT-50, but perpendicular to all of the end
pieces.
Step 4
Apply glue to the joints between
the BT-3 tubes and the large end pieces. Do
not glue the BT-50 tube in place. Do not
glue the smaller end pieces in place. Set this
aside for about 20 minutes to dry.
Step 5
Test-fit the pieces together and
make minor adjustments as required for the
pieces to fit friction-tight, but not so tight
that the pieces are damaged, not so loose
that the pieces fall apart.
Step 6
Slide the two end pieces onto the
3” BT-5CJ tube, and position them 1/4”
from each end. Make an adjustment to align
the slots with each other. Place scrap pieces
of 1/16” balsa strips into the slots and
carefully rotate one of the end pieces until
the strips are parallel to the tube.
Step 7
Apply thinned glue to the joints of
the end pieces with the tube. Do not glue
any of the strips in place. Allow about 20
minutes for the glue to dry.
Step 8
Draw a line down the full length of
all four of the 2” long BT-5BJ fin pod tubes.
Mark each tube 0.125” from each end. Draw
a line completely around the tubes at these
locations.
Figure 1
Step 9
Using a large modeler's “T” pin,
punch a series of holes about 1/32” on either
side of the long axis line, in a zig-zag
pattern, between the circumferential lines at
either end of the tube. Refer to Fig. 1 to
understand the idea.
General Assembly Sequence
Main Fin Alignment Tool
Fin Tip Pod Construction
Reactor Vane Alignment Tool
Summary of Contents for Antares
Page 5: ...Painting Guide...
