Monday, April 3, 2017

New Starship Nova Instruction Change

On YORF, John Boren of Estes explained a change in the upcoming Starship Nova re-release:

"This version of the kit is built a little different then the original version. The end result is the model looks exactly the same. On the original version you were told to cut the main BT-50 body tube away to accept the shorter BT-50 tube that in seen on the lower portion of the model. This means the shorter tube is now recessed into the longer main tube. You were then told to add a glue fillet around the joint. Only problem is on the 7 test models I made this glue joint came apart on ALL 7 models from the ejection gases. So now you instead cut the shorter tube so it simply glues to the outside of the main body tube, Problem solved."
                                                                                                           John Boren
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The older kit produced from 1981 - 1984 was catalog number 1371. The new kit number is number 7262.
If you want to study up for a future build, the original instructions are at JimZs: CLICK HERE

I had never built this kit and was curious about the construction. The new kit change Mr. Boren talks about makes better sense.
On the right is the original instructions. A slot is cut in the main BT-50 tube and a second, smaller BT-50 is glued in the slot.
The ejection charge would hit the low end of the embedded tube!

Cutting a piece out of the shorter tube then gluing to the outside of the main body makes better sense!


1 comment:

  1. Glad you posted this, I have the parts for a clone in my build pile. Will incorporate the new instructions. BTW if you're interested the laser cut fins are here:
    http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-laser-cut-fins-starship-nova-sheet-a-b-3-32-balsa-sem-fes-1371/
    The uniquely shaped centering rings are here:
    http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-starship-nova-ring-set/
    And a replica of the droop nose is here:
    https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/moldin-oldies-pnc-50f-19.html
    Kind of pricey for the nose cone, but it's the only source I know of. Happy cloning!

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