Boyce Mercury Redstone Builders Kit 1:17.5 Scale (3.90 Tube)

Impressive kit

I built the smaller 1:35 version with the Boyce fin can so I moved up and ordered the 1:17.5 kit. Rather than a complete plastic fin can, the fins and port covers are the only plastic parts. I'm waiting for my tubes to arrive from another vendor but I've built what I can so far. The plastic parts have all been filler primed and sanded. The capsule and escape tower are complete. Happily the capsule is much closer to scale than the odd ball Estes version, although it is lacking the "United States" decal. I highly recommend using a longer mmt tube than 8.5". A 15" tube is better and move the mount further up - this will move the CG further up and you will have less ejection volume to pressurize. I also epoxied 12g of steel balls into the very top of the escape tower rocket motor casing to maximize the effect on the CG while requiring less weight in the capsule base. I attached two attachment points on the capsule (at the base and at the tower's shoulder) to bring it down softly to earth using one 'chute for the capsule and a separate one for the main rocket. My changes should actually make the rocket slightly lighter than the stock design. I'm beginning to wonder if its is possible for Boyce to create an even large 1:9.3 scale version to fit a 7.5" body tube? 😁

I'm Glad That I Placed The Ordered

I am looking forward to launch day. It will definitely turn a lot of heads at the field. The Builders Kit is fantastic, the detail of the parts are that of a scale non flying model. I'm glad that I placed the order.

1:17 Mercury Redstone

This is an absolutely fantastic kit! The contents are packaged very carefully, the parts are clear and crisp, instructions are excellent, and construction is very straightforward. The capsule is a work of art-very detailed and precise.