USS Atlantis

[Solomoriah]

Hey, Carl (or Sheryl)... is there any plan to produce laser-cut fins for the old Estes USS Atlantis kit? I'd very much like to clone it. I know that another vendor has a "refit" Atlantis kit, but I really want the original, and I really don't want to have to cut out those fins by hand.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Hey, Carl (or Sheryl)... is there any plan to produce laser-cut fins for the old Estes USS Atlantis kit? I'd very much like to clone it. I know that another vendor has a "refit" Atlantis kit, but I really want the original, and I really don't want to have to cut out those fins by hand.
:confused: I don't remember the fins being anything to talk about from a difficulty standpoint. Seems to me it was one actual fin and a couple of standoffs for the two tubes.

[Solomoriah]

Plus the disc thing, which appears to be made up of four partial circles. I can make smooth curves, but only with the application of copious four letter words.

Also, I'll have to come up with decals...

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Plus the disc thing, which appears to be made up of four partial circles. I can make smooth curves, but only with the application of copious four letter words.

Also, I'll have to come up with decals...
Ah, yes. Forgot about the other balsa bits involved in that project. Yeah, that part was a pain. Especially since the scans were pretty rough. I built a PDR USS Atlantis a few years back. It used the JimZ scans and it came out.........pretty rough. :rolleyes: :D

[jharding58]

Well, there are the balsa sheet sections making up the superstructure, two of which being curved might benefit from a little tenderly applied, well focused stimulatd radiation.

[Solomoriah]

Indeed, that's what I was hoping for.

Lemme tell you a story.

In early October, my best friend died, claimed by cancer a few days before his 47th birthday, and a few days after mine. He wasn't a rocketeer... in fact, owing to his health issues and my late return to the hobby, he never got to attend a launch. But he knew I was into rocketry. You can't walk in to my office and not know I'm into rocketry.

His widow came by the other day and handed my wife a handful of cash. She said he had always wanted to get me a rocket as a gift, but didn't really know much about buying one, and while he was sick he didn't have funds to do so anyway. She asked that I use the money to buy a rocket, and that I fly it in his memory.

****, I get choked up just typing that. It's going to be hard to do the countdown...

She gave me too much money. I only fly low power, owing to field size limits, my own cheapness, and the huge pile of LPR engines I presently own, and she gave me enough to buy pretty much any LPR kit I might want with cash left over.

I asked my wife what she suggested I do, and she said to get a sci-fi inspired rocket, as my friend would have enjoyed that the most. My very first thought was the Atlantis... I always loved it in the catalog back in the day, but never bought one. I figured, no problem, someone has a kit or parts or something... but other than the "refit" version, nobody seems to have the fins.

And of course, I want this to be PERFECT. He was my best friend, after all. So laser-cut fins are what I'm hoping for.

If I just plain can't get it, the USS America reproduction is my second choice. That, at least, I can get. But USS Atlantis is just cooler.

Whatever I build, I'll fly it, as I believe all rockets should fly, but only sparingly. Special occasions, you know?

[sandman]

Plus the disc thing, which appears to be made up of four partial circles. I can make smooth curves, but only with the application of copious four letter words.

Also, I'll have to come up with decals...


I have it and it's only $6.00

http://www.excelsiorrocketry.com/product.php?id_product=408

[Solomoriah]

Somehow I figured you had the decal. Now it's just the balsa that's holding me up. I may have to break down and cut it myself... gah.

[sandman]

Somehow I figured you had the decal. Now it's just the balsa that's holding me up. I may have to break down and cut it myself... gah.

The balsa doesn't look that hard to do. I could cut it on my band saw.

But it looks like Carl is working on it.

[johnnwwa]

The Atlantis has been on my list to build for a very long time and the balsa fins have been the hold up. I have the PD kit some where in my pile. but again the fin issue , I just might be a little lazy . But if Carl offered a set I'd buy two without a second thought. I did place bids on ebay this weekend for two kits offered but price was $$$$$$$$$$ over the top.

[sandman]

Well, if you guys don't want to want and would like something a bit bigger Sirus offer a slightly larger USS Atlantis that flys on 24mm.

http://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=14

With figgin' laser cut parts! :eek:

[DaveR]

<snip>But if Carl offered a set I'd buy two without a second thought.
I'd take 2 sets as well. (Pretty much a given that I'll booger at least one fin up somehow/someway ;) )

[Vanel]

Add me to the list for Atlantis fin sets...

[johnnwwa]

USS Atlantis laser cut fins are available for purchase from SEMROC


Here :http://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/ClassicParts.asp?ID=131


Oh Boy, Oh Boy an early Christmas present.

[Solomoriah]

Absolutely. I'm putting my order in now!

Thanks, Carl, and Merry Christmas!

[Solomoriah]

Also, thanks, Excelsior Rocketry, for the decal... just ordered it as well.

[sandman]

Also, thanks, Excelsior Rocketry, for the decal... just ordered it as well.


Just a tiny bit late for today's mail. My post office closed 10 minutes ago. :o

Oh, well they will ship Monday but you'll get them long before the paint is dry. :)

[Carl@Semroc]

Absolutely. I'm putting my order in now!

Thanks, Carl, and Merry Christmas!Thank you!

The USS Atlantis ring set (http://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=3009) is also available. We will add it to your order.

[Solomoriah]

Dang, I don't know what to say, except THANK YOU!

[jharding58]

Don't forget the BNC-20SP for the front caps on the nacelles. While not prototypical they look a little bit nicer. Also a ping-pong ball for the reflector.

[DaveR]

Ordered my 2 sets *and* the ring set too this morning. Thanks Carl & crew!

[Solomoriah]

Got the Excelsior order the 12th and the Semroc order the 14th, and all looks good. Not sure when I'll be able to start on it, but I'll be sure to let you all know when it's done.

[Carl@Semroc]

I finished the fins for the Alien Explorer at the same time. I have to build one of those as well.

Alien Explorer fins (http://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=3011)
Alien Explorer rings (http://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=3008)
Alien Explorer (http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/est1372.htm)

[sandman]

Got the Excelsior order the 12th and the Semroc order the 14th, and all looks good. Not sure when I'll be able to start on it, but I'll be sure to let you all know when it's done.

Soooo...then the paint isn't dry yet. :rolleyes:

[Solomoriah]

Well, after a long delay, the build has finally started. I have started a thread here:

http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?p=170079#post170079

[sandman]

Well, after a long delay, the build has finally started. I have started a thread here:

http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?p=170079#post170079

Yep, I would say eleven months is a long delay. :rolleyes:

[Solomoriah]

Yep, I would say eleven months is a long delay. :rolleyes:
Hey. Life, man. Sometimes it's a busy place.

[GuyNoir]

Life, man. Sometimes it's a busy place.

This is a quote worth remembering!