The Quark is a sweet little 2 day project, one day to build, one day to paint.
Unless you break one of the only 3 pieces.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 5.2 in. (13.2 cm)
Diameter: 0.54 in. (13.7 mm)
Weight: 0.1 oz. (3 g)
Recovery: Featherweight
Fins: Die cut balsa
Max. Altitude: 700 ft. (213 m)
Recommended Engines: 1/4A3-3T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE below to see a larger image.
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QUARK KIT
Here is the layout fresh from the bag. Pretty straightforward.
I thought it was funny that the nose cone was longer than the body tube. So I put them together to dry fit.
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INSTANT DAMAGE
Well, snugged in the nosecone and ***rip***.
Hmm. Pretty lame.
I'm going to shoot a note off to Estes. I've got a LOT of their kits, so these little quick ones should be up to snuff like the rest, eh?'
Now where's that 800, number.... ah, here it is 800-525-7561
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REPAIR ATTEMPT
I decided to try a repair to salvage this little baby while Estes is sending me a new kit (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE...)
Using CA glue, I couldn't get the nose cone in all the way, so I used an adhesive paper cover to firm up the torn BT. You can just barely see it in this picture. This Quark will be a tad taller than most.
The Fins were all squared up, no airfoil, and I round the outer edge into a mild arc just for interest.
The launch lug was shortened to fit inside the shoulder of one fin.
NOTE: I tried out my new THIN CA glue on this one and I glued 3 fingers together and to the fin!! This stuff is like water. Fortunately, the debonder I also bought freed me in no time, no damage.
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PRIMING
I used my new trusty "on the spit" technique to get a nice even prime. Krylon H20 White primer. 2 coats, sanded down to nothing, then 1 more coat.
Only managed to break off one fin during sanding...ugh.
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PAINTING
I don't have any light blue paint, so this is the first rocket I'm building that I'm straying from the "package" color scheme. This purple is a little dark, but I like it.
Notice the indentation where the nose cone didn't go all the way in, not to worry, I have an idea for that.
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FINAL DETAIL
Decals in place, added a glitter paper pinstrip in the nose cone gap, and then used a red paint pen to speckle red throughout the rocket. Note the red tip and the red trim on the ends of the fins.
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ALL DONE
Added a couple of gloss coats and Quark1 is done. I just got the replacement kit in the mail from Estes, so I'm starting to work on it's little brother.
My wife says it looks like a Christmas ornament and wants me to put it on the tree this year.
"Can you make a few more like that?"
SUUUURE!
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