Estes Sandpiper, Kit # 1389, Nose Cone Backstory

Blog readers might remember a post about a badly produced 3D nose cone:

CLICK HERE

That smaller nose cone is pictured on the left. It wasn't sized to a BT-50 and had a rough ridged surface.

On the right is the correct size 3D nose cone sent to me by James G. (Augendoc on the forums)

This is a well produced nose cone! Smooth (fine ridges, easily smoothed) with a perfect fit in a BT-50.

The rocketry community can be very helpful. Thanks James!

The nose tip did need minor shaping, easily cleaned up with a sanding block.

Here's the two different shoulder bases.

One has a hole for a screw eye, the other a horizontal bar to tie off a shock cord.

I'll be using the base with the screw eye, it seems stronger.

Centuri X-24 Bug Background

Here's one of the weird cardstock shroud model from Centuri, the X-24 BUG. This one was introduced in the 1972 catalog.
From the catalog description:
"Now it's easy to assemble your own model of the manned re-entry vehicle that makes a weird sound and smoke trail as it climbs into the sky. It's unique shape actually makes the X-24 glide back!

I had the Centuri kit back then. I never got a decent "glide" from it.
Check out the 1972 price - $1.00!
To see the catalog page, CLICK HERE

In 1993, Quest brought out their own version, the HL-20.
I bought one on Ebay and tried to fly it a few times. I never got an acceptable glide from it either. The Quest version had a streamer taped to the ejected engine. Two pennies inside some folded cardstock were used as rear trim weight.
Here's the Quest catalog page - CLICK HERE
The Quest HL-20 instructions - CLICK HERE

Here's a more recent kit version from Squirrel Works, the X-RV.
To see the catalog page - CLICK HERE

I'll be making my Bug from the online plans from JimZs.
To print it in the correct size, go with the available PDF CLICK HERE

The Centuri X-24 BUG build starts tomorrow! Printing it at home and using spare parts, it may only cost $1.00.

Estes Equinox Background

The Centuri Scram - Jet was introduced in the 1973 Centuri catalog.
It featured off center fins and two BT-5 "jet" tubes underneath.

The newer Estes Equinox has a continuous fin over the top.
The Equinox also has added two small sub fins under the two jet tubes.

The Scram-Jet  design might have been influenced by the Top Secret design by Brett Simpkins. It was an Estes Design Of the Month winner.
The D.O.M. plans are HERE
(This original version seems short but has two lead nose weights for stability.)


The Estes Equinox is really closer to the Centuri Scram Jet, but you can see some similarities.

This is an older production version that still had the stenciled U.S. NAVY decal on the side. The sub fins aren't in this picture.

Here's how the final production model looks.
The decals now say "EQUINOX"

Estes R2D2 Back Story

The first Estes R2D2 was "available" after March 15, 1978.
It was a big BT-101 based model. Recommended engines were a B6-2 and C6-3.
The pre-production catalog illustration shows the legs as "T" shaped profile fins. The kit ended up with clear plastic fins that extended below the side legs.
I remember building one. It was nearly impossible to paint all the trim. The round nose did eject like a normal rocket.

It flew once. With a C6-3 it hit the ground before the parachute ejected. The plastic fins shattered.

In 1998, Estes released a smaller version of the R2D2, this time around BT-70 size at 2.6" diameter.
The clear fins were much the same design. The earlier clear fins screwed on, the fins on the new small version are glued.
This is a rear eject with a 12" parachute rolled around a central engine tube.

The larger earlier edition was also re-released in 1998.
Still under powered, I'd never use a recommended B6-2 in the larger one. Even a C6-3 is questionable.
A small third "T" engine RTF model was also produced.

The 1998 package says: Simple construction.
Simple, no. Interesting, YES!

The Next Build - The 260 Space Booster - Backstory

The 260 SPACE BOOSTER

This one goes way back, from the 1965 Estes Model Rocket News, V5 #3.
For years, it's been my "I'll build this one day" rocket.
It features a BIG nozzle and clear fins.

You can see the plans and the entire MRN issue at:
http://www.oldrocketplans.com/mrn/mrn_v5_n3/MRN_V5_N3.pdf
Check out the introduction of the "New Shock Cord Mount" on page 5.
On page 7, that Whirlybird design seems very familiar.

Clear fins will be placed the way it was done on the old Estes Gemini Titan and Thor Agena B kits.
I finally found some workable clear fin stock and a good substitute for the CFS-20 clear tube wrap. This will all be covered in upcoming blog posts.

Centuri Nomad Clone Backstory

This wasn't the next model I had planned to build and blog.
I was on the Semroc queue page HERE and saw the Nomad was at the top of the list. Being at the top doesn't mean it's the next new kit, but it's probably coming soon. So, this one was moved to the top of the build pile.

I built an original Centuri Nomad in the mid 1970s.
Here's how it was described in the 1975 Centuri "Newspaper" catalog:
"Styled after the U.S. Naval missiles Tarter & Terrier, NOMAD has the look of the real thing."

It was the first model rocket I built that had fibre fins.
The chrome bands really set off the model. They were simply pressure sensitive trim stripes at the launch lug locations.

This clone "kit" was bought off Ebay.
When it arrived, it was disappointing. The parachute, long engine mount centering ring and screw eye were missing. No decals or chrome trim was included.
The instructions called for a wide Centuri 7/10 centering ring. The clone kit included a single 1/4" wide Estes 20/50 ring. This build will show how I worked around the mis-matched parts.
I didn't expect a Centuri Shock Cord Fastener, those haven't been made for years. A length of elastic shock cord was included, but was shorter than what I would use.

I emailed the vendor about the missing parts. Two more Estes 20/50 rings were sent along with decals, screw eye and a (older Hong Kong made) Centuri 14" diameter parachute.

Like the old cliche' says: Buyer Beware!

Corkscrew 2 Build Backstory

Here's a fun, easy to build design by Bruce Levison.

The CORK SCREW won him first place in the FlisKits Design of the Month Contest in October, 2003.

Here's how Bruce described his entry:

October entry #3, the Cork Screw by Bruce Levison of Ohio.

Attached is my submission for the FlisKit's Design of the Month called the Cork Screw 2. It is a simple asymmetric ring finned design that is roll pitch coupled and flies stable! The model's unique coning flight path suggests a "cork screw "shape hence the name my son Ben gave it. The rocket has flown many times over the years, even at national events such as NARAM where Mark Bundick the president of the NAR and the acting sport range LCO indicated that the model lives up to its name. Sorry, I don't have any flight pictures.

Please link the attached Photo and RockSim version 7 file to the design article.

Links to the instructions and RockSim file can be found on this page HERE

Thanks,
Bruce S. Levison, NAR #69055

A unique "coning" flight path? I'm in!