Neo Mini Aerospace Speciality Products Page 6
Now apply another thin layer of glue to the root edges of the fin and firmly press the fin in place along
the fin line you drew on the body tube. Note that the notched edge of the fin should be up against the
centering ring and the end of the root edge should be about even with the end of the red engine tube
(see Figure M). As the glue sets, be sure that the fin is straight out from and parallel to the tube.
Looking from the base of the model you can sight down the lines drawn down the body tube as a
guide to be sure the fins are straight. You can also use the Fin Alignment Guide on the last page of
these instructions to help you in aligning the fins straight out from the body tube. Allow the model to
rest horizontally while the glue dries on each fin (you can download the “Rocket Caddy” from our
website to make a stand that will hold your model horizontally). Repeat for the remaining fins. See
Figure N for what correctly aligned fins should look like and an example of incorrectly aligned fins.
Correct Alignment
Incorrect Alignment
Figure N
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7) After the fins are completely dry, apply a small amount of glue to the joint between the root edge
of the fin and the body tube. Smooth the glue with your finger to form a small, smooth fillet and
remove any excess glue (see Figure O). The fillets will strengthen the fin attachment.
Fin
Fillet
Body
!
Tube
2" Mark on Body Tube
Launch Lug
Screw Eye
Shoulder
Nose Cone
Figure O
Figure P
Figure Q
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8) Locate the launch lug (the small white tube). Make a mark 2" from the bottom of the white body
tube on the launch lug line you drew in step #3. Using the same method as you used to attach the
fins, glue the lug to the body along the launch lug line you drew earlier. The bottom edge of the lug
should be at the 2" mark you made on the line - See Figure P. Be sure the lug is parallel to the body.
After the glue is dry, apply fillets to the lug.
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9) See Figure Q for this step. Locate the balsa nose cone and the metal screw eye. Test fit the
shoulder of the nose cone into the top end of the white body tube - sand the shoulder if needed for a
smooth fit.
