Plastic Model Conversion

Plastic model conversion is one of my favorite NAR categories. The idea is that you take a plastic model, that was intended for static display, i.e. usually a Revell, Monogram, etc., kit, and convert it for safe rocket flight. Note that safe is the key word here! It's challenging to get these kits to fly right, and many of them have VERY pointy noses.. :-) Perhaps because of its slightly dangerous aura, PMC is rarely flown at NAR events nowadays.

The little Revell X-15 kit was one of the easiest (and most successful) PMCs I've done. It was a bit challenging to engineer a tight, yet smooth-working nose release, but other than that.. It flys on Estes A10t-3 motors.

The Monogram Mirage 2000 kit is considerably tougher to convert, and I built two of them before I really got the conversion design and execution down. That third one, though, is reliable as heck, and I've flown it heaps of times.

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