Early Rockets
This page is a collection of some of my smaller rockets that I've built. They are all in 1/96 scale and are all small. One of them is really small. I want to keep a consistent scale with my rockets, and 1/96 works rather well for that. The small ones aren't too small, and the big ones aren't too big. All these models are available at Neil's Paper Models.
German V-2 A4v4 Prototype
The first of the rockets is the German V-2 A4v4 Prototype, launched on October 3rd, 1942. It was the first successful launch of a V-2 rocket, and is what really got the V-2 program going. I really liked this model. Easy construction, great instructions, and a nicely detailed model.
)
I really like the details that was put into this model. I like to be able to look at a model from far away as well as up close. Some paper models don't have that up close look to them, and I think it takes away from them. One of the things that I like about Neil's models is that he adds depth to thin and small details. For instance, the fins aren't just two pieces of paper glued together. There are actually three smaller sheets of paper in between the sides, and it makes the fins look much nicer.
)
)
I didn't build the stand for this model, because I don't really like the 'box stand' look. I may go and design a nice stand for it some time, but for now it's just going to sit on the shelf stand-less.
)
Hermes RV-A 10
This little rocket was a part of a program to develop solid rocket technology. The Hermes RV-A 10 was a test to see if they could build larger rockets that were powered by solid propellant. There is more information about the program on Neil's Paper Models site, and it is a good summary of the program.
)
This tiny model is actually a 'bonus' model for his 1/32 scale model. The picture of his Hermes to a 1/32 scale V-2 looks quite nice, and I'm sure build up to a beautiful model. I wanted to stick to 1/96 scale, so I built this little thing to look good next to my 1/96 scale V-2.
)
Viking 7 and 10
These two rockets are part of a sounding rocket program at the Naval Research Laboratory. The intention was to develop new rocket technology, and the Viking rockets were constantly evolving through out the program. After Viking 7, the rocket was almost totally redesigned so the later rockets looked much different from the earlier ones.
)
){kind=small}
)
Both of these models were fairly easy to build, but the small diameter of the rockets made it a little tricky to work with. I actually had to build the Viking 7 body tube three times before I was happy with the result. The rest of the construction was pretty simple though.
)
)
)
All of these models are great for quick builds, but they aren't simple. They are just small. I built most of these in one or two sittings. I would recommend these models to anyone who likes paper models, and especially rockets.
)