Estes Condor #0807 Build Background

 

The Estes Condor was introduced in the 1977 catalog.

I never noticed then, but in this catalog Mini Brutes were now renamed "SUPER" Mini Brutes.

This model was almost a smaller, less detailed Orbital Transport using 13mm mini motors. A parasite glider that detaches at ejection, glides down while the main body recovers under parachute.

This kit was available from 1977 through 1980. The build starts tomorrow . . .

New Estes Arcas Kit Fin Shaping?

On TRF, Solar Yellow posted something directed to me:

"I'm expecting a build. Likely with diamond-profiled fins because that is the cooler way to do it if you have the skillz."

My response:

I'll do a blog build if Estes sends me some kits.
If I'm working for a vendor, I build them as directed by the instructions.
In some extra blog build posts, I would cut out some additional fins and show how the diamond taper can be done.
That depends though - if the kit fins are only 1/16" thick, the diamond taper isn't practical.

Neil W added probably the best solution of all - 

"I was thinking that too."

"I think you could fool the casual observer by shading the bottom half of the fins slightly darker (could be accomplished with a very light grey transparent decal)."

Old Estes Parts, Part 2

Here's that same BT-30 (from a post a few day's back) with a nose cone a fin unit.

   

The plastic fin unit was re-purposed from those used in fireworks. 

The fit over the end of the BT-30 tube is very good.

The fin unit and nose cone are listed in the 1960 Estes catalog. The fins used in the Sky Bird and Dirty Bird designs.

An illustration for both parts is in the second 1961 catalog: CLICK HERE

The nose cone shoulder slips over the body tube edge. This is another fireworks piece.

These plastic parts were phased out as balsa equivalents replaced them. The manufacturer's probably didn't want to associate with any ties to fireworks.

Thanks again to Lonnie Buchanon for lending me these parts.

Estes ARCAS Now Available

The new Estes ARCAS kit is available!

BT-20 based, 14.5" tall with streamer recovery.

Mini engine powered, friction fit retention.

The model is small so the instructions suggest simply rounding the leading edge of the fins. A scale diamond taper is not shown.

The instructions include a mask pattern for the difficult red and white separations. 

The instructions have just been posted on the Estes website: CLICK HERE

Old Estes Parts, Part 1

Lonnie Buchanon let me borrow some old Estes parts he found in a Craig's List buy.

Below is a BT-30 tube.

Mark II wrote in YORF:

https://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/Estes_Body_Tube_List_3.1.pdf

"BT-30 is a recreation of the very first body tubes that the fledgling Estes Industries sold in 1960. Yes, these were the legendary tubes that Gleda Estes hand-rolled from mimeograph stencil backing using a slotted aluminum mandrel. BT-30 was used in most of the early Estes Industries kits, including the Scout, Mark, Space Plane, Sky Hook and Sprite (K-1, -2, -3, -8 and -15). The somewhat loose fit of their 18mm motors in it is what makes the tumble recovery-inducing weight shift easier and more controllable in the Scout and Sprite. Other kits that used it were the TK-4 Hornet Mini Brute, the Scout II and Scout III, the Mark II and a number of MRN plans. There is an extended discussion of this tube in John Brohm's Estes Body Tube/Kit Reference v3.1." CLICK HERE

  

I don't think this is a Gleda Estes rolled tube but a manufactured recreation as mentioned above.

Estes probably had BT-30 tubes made for them when the kit demand got too high to hand roll the tubes.

This one is rolled very tight and clean, I would assume the hand rolled tubes weren't as taut. I can't say for sure as I've never seen a Gleda Estes hand rolled tube in person.

 

This shows the fit of a current engine slid into the BT-30 tube. There is plenty of space for a few tape wraps to get a good friction fit.

The loose fit reminds me of the old Model Missiles instructions that mention you could use rubber bands wrapped around the motor for a friction fit.

Old Letter

I'm cleaning out the garage, getting rid of old things I haven't looked at in years. In a file cabinet, I found this letter from Bob Bruce. I met and hung out with Bob at the 1975 NARAM 17 in Orlando, FL.

Bob always seemed to place in the Estes design contests, some of his ideas were groundbreaking. He started his own rocketry company called California Model Rockets. Back when a model rocket had to weigh under one pound, he sold models named "Woppers". They were big for their time, 4" diameter rockets with foam centering rings and cardstock wrapped bodies.

 

Here's the interesting part of the 1976 letter - for all the Star Wars fans:

The original title of Star Wars was "War Star". Bob told me that many of the spaceship detail pieces were plastic parts from AMT car model kits - Muffler pipes, axles and the like.

I understand Bob (Brandy) passed away in 2019.

The Mystery Fin

Last November, my Sister finally brought my comic books from California. When I was going through the books, I came across this fin.

It looks to be 1/32" plywood. It is airfoiled. I think it came off a Streamer Duration model I flew at NARAM 17.

If you are curious, the comics were from the mid to late 1960s. 

The box of comics sold for $700!