Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad Arrival plus Twelve hours for the Aerotech Initiator build

The Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad Kit is finally in my possession!!

What a glorious respite from the details of the Apogee Saturn V!

After all the nuances that the SatV presented me since I first opened up the box in March, it was a cool diversion to get the Initiator. I gave myself one day to put this great rocket together, paint, decals, everything. Since I was already waiting for items to be delivered for my finish work on the Saturn V, It was a perfect time to just bang together the kit rocket, with a deadline that only a Master Model Rocketeer could make, blog and all. This Rocket will make a great opening act for the launches of my Apogee Saturn V.

This is going to be a total Mac Gyver build, using only the finishes I have at hand, which meant it will be a black and white paint scheme, which wont look too much off the red and white scheme that the Initiator calls for.

Primers and paints were the biggest obstacle, since there was a humidity index of 72 degrees and an air temp of 80f. I needed to prime, sand, prime, (4 coats), then color, sand color (also four coats), with the nose cone, being molded plastic, needing more than a bit of sanding to get rid of the molding marks. That was the most challenging, since, after each coat, I had to quick hang it in the cool and low humidity of the staging area.. (my laundry room, which had the lowest temp and humidity, 65f and 60%).

The instructions were somewhat disappointing, but the addition of the 29mm engine retainer only required a few steps and measurements to make sure that all would fit with the great Fin-Lok construction. I would have gotten the rocket together in quite a few hours sooner, but I had to keep rechecking measurements and fin placement, because, once it is glued up, there is no going back!

Motor Tube Assembly complete. The body tube and nosecone are drying from the color coats and three of Mr. Super Clear. This was what kept me from finishing the Initator in my self imposed deadline of twelve hours. No fear though, I have done almost all the work needed, just an hour or two to complete the fit of the fins, attaching the parachute, the application of decals, and final fit and clear coat(s).  All in all, a great build on an intimidating schedule...

Ready for final fit and finish, fins and Motor Tube Assembly! That will have to wait for tomoorow, but a great (almost) one day build!

Carpe Diem!