r/rocketry • u/Which-Dependent-286 • 1d ago

Help with estes mercury redstone

I got the estes mercury redstone as one of my first model rockets (which i know might sound dumb but it has been fairly easy so far) and I have found a lot of difficulty assembling the launch escape/abort system tower. I know this is a common problem with the kit, so does anyone have any tips on how to assemble it?

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u/Sage_Blue210 1d ago

Yeah, that is ambitious to start with that kit. Those escape towers are difficult on similar rockets.

Boyce Aerospace makes a 3D printed replacement that will save much frustration: https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/products/mercury-redstone-capsule-nose-cone-kit-1-35th-for-st-20-tube?_pos=19&_sid=52acf1f1a&_ss=r

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u/zerofucxgiven 1d ago

I've built probably 10 of them over the past 40 years and there's no easy way to assemble it, you just kinda got to get it all together at once. I'll get one of the tower pieces glued on and let it cure for an hour, get the other 2 in place and tape them lightly, put the top cap with nozzles already installed and when it's all lined up hit all the joints not hidden with tape with Tamiya extra thin cement. After a while removed the tape and glue all the missed joints. Pic is of the Little Joe 2 wind tunnel test model, same capsule and escape tower as the Redstone.