VIKING SOUNDING ROCKET

Model Assembly Instruction

This three-page paper model represents Viking 11, which flew to a record 158 mile altitude on May 24, 1954 from White Sands Missile Range. The model should be laser or ink-jet printed at the highest possible resolution (600 dots per inch or better is preffered) on 24 pound or heavier white paper. For correct 1/96 scaling, the standard resolution 96 PPI (pixel per inch) JPEG images should be printed at 96 pixels per inch, the usual default for Web browsers. Higher resolution 200 PPI JPEG images, available for a small cost via email (see the ORDER FORM), should be printed at 200 pixels per inch. You will need an imaging or graphics program to print the larger images.

Since your results will improve after one or two practice attempts, do not hesitate to print several copies for your use only please! You will need a pair of scissors and/or a hobby knife, white paper glue and/or rubber cement, a toothpick or narrow strip of paper, a dowel rod or a round pen or pencil, and a few pieces of tissue paper.

Use rubber cement for wrinkle-free attachment when forming body tubes and fins and when gluing paper to cardstock. In the following instructions, the term "cement" refers to the preferred use of rubber cement while the term glue refers to the preferred use of white glue.

Assemble the Viking 11 model in the following sequence.

1. Cut out Viking body and engine mount. Cement engine mount to inside of body underfold section on opposite of lines shown.

2. Roll Viking body into a tube. Apply cement sparingly with toothpick or small strip of paper to small sections of body at seam. Use pen or dowel rod inside tube to assist. Quickly clean excess cement with tissue paper. Finish by cementing loose underfold ends using toothpick or small strip of paper.

3. Cut out nose cone adapter. Cut upper portion into strips along lines shown. Roll and cement to inside of Viking body tube at top. Press into place with pen or dowel.

4. Cut out nose cone. Roll to gray line and cement. Set aside to dry.

5. Cut and assemble motor thrust structure with glue or cement. Test for fit by inserting partially into base of body tube.

6. Cut and assemble XLR-10 motor.

7. Carefully align and glue XLR-10 motor to tip of motor thrust structure. Set aside to dry.

8. Cut out four fin assemblies, being sure to cut top section along dotted line. Fold each in accordian fashion to create a laminated structure, providing greater strengh. Fold two fin attachment strips outward prior to gluing. Apply glue to three surfaces of fin assembly and press together. After a few minutes, cut out top section to achieve delta fin shape. Apply glue to fin attachment strips and mount on Viking body at points shown. You may also use a sturdier fin construction method, which involves sandwiching only the outer fin panels onto cardstock with rubber cement.

9. After nose cone adapter and nose cone have dried, cement nose cone to top of Viking body tube. Carefully align, using long pen or dowel to press into place from within.

10. After XLR-10 motor assembly has dried, insert at base of body to the motor mount. Align and apply glue with toothpick or strip of paper.

11. Cut out the Mounting Base. Fold into cylinder shape and glue, then cut the bottom Attachment Section into strips as shown.

12. Cut out the top and bottom mounting base plates. Use rubber cement to attach bottom base plate to heavy cardstock or poster board. Cement mounting base to bottom base plate, centering on black circle. Cut out center circles on top base plate, either with a hobby knife or by cutting to the circle from one edge with scissors. Attach top base plate. Avoid placing Viking on display stand until cement/glue has dried!

13. Your Viking is ready to launch!

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Last Update: 31 March 1998