Orbital Minotaur IV
This is Orbital Science's Minotaur IV Launch Vehicle in the STP-S26 mission markings. Orbital has a nice page about the Minotaur IV if you're wondering about it. It took me some time finding all the info about this rocket that I needed. Finding the graphics for the rockets can be tough, and I finally got all of them for one rocket, so it was time to design it!
While the rocket itself isn't that exciting (Just a tube with a cone top), it does help complete the Orbital series of rockets I have. Now you can have 5 different Orbital rockets! Well, from me at least. I know there is a nice Pegasus out there, and there is a decent Taurus II available. I'll eventually make the latter, but the Pegasus is just too nice to try to do something on my own.
Pictures and Download
So I had to pretty much relearn how to make instruction for paper models with this one. It took me a while to make them, and I had to learn to use Open Office because I don't have MS Office on my home computer anymore. I like the free/open idea of Open Office, but it lacks the polish that many commercial products have. Still, it got the work done and I was happy with the outcome.
One mistake I made was to try to make the body all one piece. It's just too long and too narrow. I had to split it into two parts. It also made it easier to add in the bulkheads to make sure the body stays round. And of course, that meant making another set of instructions. Then there was the beta build (which is what the pictures are of), and more tweaks to the instructions.
But I finally got it done, and now it's ready. I can't believe it's was almost two years between I've releasing this model and my last paper model. That's ok though. I'm sure you guys are just happy to get a nice model from time to time.
Download the Minotaur IV model here.
Instructions and building notes are included with the model. I recommend that you print this on regular white paper, around 24 lb. Also...