P.O. Box 126 Tanner, AL 35671-0126 USA www.fireballmodels.info FMR-010 1/32 Scale Vietnam-era AH-1G Rocket Pods (M-158, M-200) Contents: A) 2x M-200 Rocket Pod B) 1x M-200 Decal C) 14x Brass Tube D) 4x Tube Clamp E) 16x Igniter Arm (2 spare) F) 2x Hardback G) 1x Tube Alignment Fixture F E G A B C D Preparing the Parts for Assembly Wash the resin parts with a mild detergent to remove mold release and trace oils that may affect glue and paint adhesion. Cut resin parts with a blade or a razor saw and avoid breathing any dust when cutting or sanding. Wet sanding is recommended to help prevent dust from becoming airborne. Grinding off the casting blocks is not recommended. www.fireballmodels.info page 1
Instructions for 1/32 M-200 Rocket Pods Step 1: Remove the casting block Use a razor saw to cut the cylindrical rocket pod from the casting block. Step 2: Insert mounting wire Use a fine drill bit to drill holes in the mounting lugs (second and third from the front). Insert short lengths of fine wire into the holes. Drill corresponding holes in the model s pylons to attach the rocket pod to the model. Decal Placement for 1/32 M-200 Rocket Pods Cut each decal image individually from the sheet www.fireballmodels.info page 2
Instructions for assembling 1/32 M-158 Rocket Tubes Step 1: Deburr the brass tubes Use a sanding stick to dress or deburr the outside edge of each brass tube. This will ensure a good fit with the resin clamp pieces. At this time, you can also bore out the centers with a needle file and #11 blade to reduce the wall thickness. Step 2: Prepare the two tube clamps While the circular clamp part is still attached to the casting block, use a round needle file to punch out the center of each of the seven holes. Open the holes fully using a 3/32 drill bit and the round needle file until the brass tubes slip through fairly easily. You want the tubes to be snug, but also rotate and slide easily. Work slowly and don't overly-enlarge the holes. Separate the clamp from the casting block with a nipper and clean up the cut edge. Use a fine drill bit to drill the attaching hole in the top center. make two of these clamps parts should be snug but moveable www.fireballmodels.info page 3
Step 3: Make the rocket tube assemblies Use a razor saw to carefully remove seven igniter arms from their casting blocks. Saw up the short side first, then saw up the long side until the tiny arm is free. Use a fresh #11 blade to trim the excess resin flash. Attach an igniter arm to the end of each tube with super glue. cut slowly! cut the short side first then cut the long side part freed from block trim the excess resin make seven of these assemblies center the arm over the hole www.fireballmodels.info page 4
Step 4: Assemble tubes into clamps Insert tubes into the three holes in the middle row of each clamp. Make sure both clamps are oriented the same top & bottom. Align clamps and tubes using the alignment fixture. Rotate each tube to orient the igniter arm to the proper angle. When all alignments are set, fix the tubes in place with a small amount of super glue applied to the inside joints. Add the two top tubes and align the tubes and the igniter arms, then add the two bottom tubes. When all alignments are made, fix the tubes in place with small amounts of super glue. three tubes in middle holes Looking at Rear Igniter Arm Alignment www.fireballmodels.info page 5 align to the front of fixture
Step 5: Add the hardback With the piece still attached to the casting block, drill tiny holes through the hardback's mounting points. Saw through the hardback's mounting block to free the part and dress the cut end. Insert fine wire into the holes in the tops of the clamps. Add a small amount of super glue to the base of the wire and drop the hardback onto the clamps-make sure the notched end is forward. Assembly is now complete. www.fireballmodels.info page 6