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View Full Version : RIP Goblin, long live the next Goblin King and DRM


Thor
07-16-2005, 03:53 PM
Well, the Bt55 Original Goblin is gone and we had a heavy rain last night so I am sure the BT is soggy by now in its desert grave (see my other thread Bye Bye Goblin for the maiden flight/lose details). Got in the BT for the Red Max (DRM for my daughter) in standard BT60 format for 18mm Motors and I am now building a replacment Golin in BT60 so it will be a little heavier and bigger than the 1X vapor trail rocket. At 4 ounces projected weight it should do much better than the 1.5 ounce 1X model as far as recovery is concerned. I plan the D12-6 for this one. Sunday is my rocket buidling day so a lot of fun is coming up tomorrow. Finish paint for the DRM will be black cone over red body tube with appropriate decals. The Goblin is going to be a little more pumpkin color rather than the yellow I used before. Hopefully both these rockets will return to earth to be recovered to fly again and again.

dwmzmm
07-21-2005, 10:31 PM
Well, the Bt55 Original Goblin is gone and we had a heavy rain last night so I am sure the BT is soggy by now in its desert grave (see my other thread Bye Bye Goblin for the maiden flight/lose details). Got in the BT for the Red Max (DRM for my daughter) in standard BT60 format for 18mm Motors and I am now building a replacment Golin in BT60 so it will be a little heavier and bigger than the 1X vapor trail rocket. At 4 ounces projected weight it should do much better than the 1.5 ounce 1X model as far as recovery is concerned. I plan the D12-6 for this one. Sunday is my rocket buidling day so a lot of fun is coming up tomorrow. Finish paint for the DRM will be black cone over red body tube with appropriate decals. The Goblin is going to be a little more pumpkin color rather than the yellow I used before. Hopefully both these rockets will return to earth to be recovered to fly again and again.

The Squirrel Works Gemlin kit is pretty much identical to the Estes Goblin except it's just about one inch longer. I purchased a Gremlin kit from The Squirrel Works vendor booth at
the recently held Tex-Regional meet in McGregor, TX last month, and just finished building
the kit. Hope to put up a test flight this coming Saturday at the Challenger 498 Section's
club launch at Rushing Park, Katy, TX. Will use a D12-7... AFter several flights I'm hoping to
write a product review on this kit for the EMRR. I sure wish Estes still had the D11-9 motors,
as that was my favorite when I still had my Goblin years back. Don't remember how I lost
it!

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-21-2005, 11:08 PM
Aah, Der Goblin. Many fond memories there. ;)

Vanel
07-22-2005, 07:05 AM
Bill,

That looks so sad! :(

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-22-2005, 07:07 AM
Not really. I was launching with a friend and he climbed the tree and rescued it. He's quite a bit lighter than I am. It wasn't stuck all that fast. ;)

Thor
07-22-2005, 03:30 PM
My BT60 slight upscale (1.24X) is only 2 ounces so I am getting a little concerned about loosing another one on a D12-5 or 7. These things are awesome fliers. :eek: My daughters Screamin Mimi runs around 4.5 ounces and does nicely (not too high or low) on a D12-3. Now I am thinking about getting some C11s so I dont loose it on the maiden flight. That SW Gremlin looks like a fast higher flyer too! :D

dwmzmm
07-22-2005, 03:52 PM
My BT60 slight upscale (1.24X) is only 2 ounces so I am getting a little concerned about loosing another one on a D12-5 or 7. These things are awesome fliers. :eek: My daughters Screamin Mimi runs around 4.5 ounces and does nicely (not too high or low) on a D12-3. Now I am thinking about getting some C11s so I dont loose it on the maiden flight. That SW Gremlin looks like a fast higher flyer too! :D

Will find out for sure come tomorrow when I fly mine. I'm not fully finished with the painting
(the balsa still needs more fillercoat), so mine will be of the drabby all white color with no
trims.

dwmzmm
07-23-2005, 06:21 PM
Will find out for sure come tomorrow when I fly mine. I'm not fully finished with the painting
(the balsa still needs more fillercoat), so mine will be of the drabby all white color with no
trims.


Launch report: Flew the Gremlin at the Challenger 498 Section club launch today at Rushing
Park, Katy, TX. On a D12-7, the Gremlin flew very fast and straight up as advertised, and the
seven second delay smoke trail was clearly visible through ejection. If it wasn't for the mylar streamer that comes with the kit, I would have lost sight of it coming down (must have hit the 1,500 + feet altitude it supposed to reach). Thanks to the fact that there was
very little (or no) wind, the Gremlin landed only about 50 feet from the launch control
station. However, one of the four fins did get slightly damaged on the lower edge/corner on
hitting the grassy ground; perhaps on future flights I'll have to rig the recovery system so the model will fall sideways as a normal Streamer Duration contest model would.

Otherwise a very spectacular flight that caught everyone's attention, and made me feel like
I went back in time to the days when I had fun flying the old Estes Goblin in my early years in
the hobby!

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-23-2005, 07:01 PM
However, one of the four fins did get slightly damaged on the lower edge/corner on
hitting the grassy ground; perhaps on future flights I'll have to rig the recovery system so the model will fall sideways as a normal Streamer Duration contest model would.

I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with. My Goblin seemed like it lost a fin on each flight.

dwmzmm
07-23-2005, 07:33 PM
I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with. My Goblin seemed like it lost a fin on each flight.

I did take some 35 mm pics today...already took the film in for developing and should get
them back by Wednesday. After they're posted on the Challenger 498 photo album pages,
I will provide the link for access to view the pics.

The damaged fin isn't that bad. I should be able to just use some micro-fill to reshape that
particular corner and then harden it with thin CA before sanding & sealing. The flight today
with this Gremlin was just a base coat of white paint, as the balsa nosecone needs more
filling & sanding before I fully complete the finish on the whole model.

I don't recall losing the fins on my old Estes Goblin from years ago. I do know I flew it pretty
often, even on the Estes D13's before they were pulled off the market in the early 1970's. I
use the plain Elmer's white glue as it works very well...the carpenter's wood glue (as I learned the hard way) is ok but do not use for the fin fillets! Otherwise, if you use standard
sanding sealer on the wood glue, it will tend to blister and even ruin the appearance of the
fillet. That happened to my vintage Estes V-2 (the BT-55) model.

dwmzmm
07-26-2005, 08:07 AM
Launch report: Flew the Gremlin at the Challenger 498 Section club launch today at Rushing
Park, Katy, TX. On a D12-7, the Gremlin flew very fast and straight up as advertised, and the
seven second delay smoke trail was clearly visible through ejection. If it wasn't for the mylar streamer that comes with the kit, I would have lost sight of it coming down (must have hit the 1,500 + feet altitude it supposed to reach). Thanks to the fact that there was
very little (or no) wind, the Gremlin landed only about 50 feet from the launch control
station. However, one of the four fins did get slightly damaged on the lower edge/corner on
hitting the grassy ground; perhaps on future flights I'll have to rig the recovery system so the model will fall sideways as a normal Streamer Duration contest model would.

Otherwise a very spectacular flight that caught everyone's attention, and made me feel like
I went back in time to the days when I had fun flying the old Estes Goblin in my early years in
the hobby!

Here's one launch pic takened by Challenger 498 club member Greg Deeter:

http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/DSC04941

When the pic comes up, you can click the pic again to get a full scan resolution. I may have more pics uploaded in the same photo album sometimes tomorrow...

JRThro
07-26-2005, 04:49 PM
Here's one launch pic takened by Challenger 498 club member Greg Deeter:

http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/DSC04941

When the pic comes up, you can click the pic again to get a full scan resolution. I may have more pics uploaded in the same photo album sometimes tomorrow...
Dave,

I didn't realize the Gremlin flew on D motors! It sure was a great day for flying, wasn't it?

And what a nice looking naked reverse-finned Fat Boy that is sitting on the pad next to your Gremlin! :p

Greg Deeter took some amazing pictures on Saturday, that's for sure.

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-26-2005, 05:21 PM
Dave,

I didn't realize the Gremlin flew on D motors! It sure was a great day for flying, wasn't it?

And what a nice looking naked reverse-finned Fat Boy that is sitting on the pad next to your Gremlin! :p

Greg Deeter took some amazing pictures on Saturday, that's for sure.

(Psst, John. It's a GOBLIN, not a GREMLIN. The Gremlin was one of the ugliest cars AMC ever produced. Three girls that I dated drove Gremlins. One had a LEVI's interior. Gremlins had less power than a D engine. The woman I married drove a Gremlin that someone gave her because they felt sorry for her. Seems like something you'd do if you really hated that person, but I guess it was a step up from the Pinto.)

dwmzmm
07-26-2005, 09:26 PM
Dave,

I didn't realize the Gremlin flew on D motors! It sure was a great day for flying, wasn't it?

And what a nice looking naked reverse-finned Fat Boy that is sitting on the pad next to your Gremlin! :p

Greg Deeter took some amazing pictures on Saturday, that's for sure.

That's right, John. If you haven't already, why don't you post the link Greg took of your
Estes STAR WARS Death Star's flights? I'm sure those who are members of this forum would
like to read the flight reports and see a few pics (right, guys?)...

My film should be ready tomorrow, so I should have my pics of last Saturday's launch posted
on the Challenger 498 photo album...

Tau Zero
07-26-2005, 10:41 PM
(Psst, John. It's a GOBLIN, not a GREMLIN. The Gremlin was one of the ugliest cars AMC ever produced. Three girls that I dated drove Gremlins. One had a LEVI's interior. Gremlins had less power than a D engine.

(slams it down on the countertop)

(Old-timer voice) "*There's* yer Gremlin! Don Magness over at Squirrel Works has got 'em!"

http://www.squirrel-works.com/catalog/gremlin/gremlin.html


"Now go on, git outta here! Go pester somebody else! :mad: (mumbling) Dadblame fool kids..." ;) :D


--Jay

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-27-2005, 07:41 AM
(slams it down on the countertop)

(Old-timer voice) "*There's* yer Gremlin! Don Magness over at Squirrel Works has got 'em!"

http://www.squirrel-works.com/catalog/gremlin/gremlin.html


"Now go on, git outta here! Go pester somebody else! :mad: (mumbling) Dadblame fool kids..." ;) :D


--Jay

Jay, shouldn't you be packing the Pacer for the Oregon trip? :eek: :D
(Don't forget your RUSH 8-tracks.)

JRThro
07-27-2005, 07:49 AM
(Psst, John. It's a GOBLIN, not a GREMLIN. The Gremlin was one of the ugliest cars AMC ever produced. Three girls that I dated drove Gremlins. One had a LEVI's interior. Gremlins had less power than a D engine. The woman I married drove a Gremlin that someone gave her because they felt sorry for her. Seems like something you'd do if you really hated that person, but I guess it was a step up from the Pinto.)
Ugly, but easy to design. Just take a really big meat cleaver, whack off the rear 1/3 of a Hornet, and voila!

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-27-2005, 08:02 AM
(Heh-heh. John said "whack off".)
My first car was supposed to be a Hornet. Dad told Grandpa to trade it in instead. They gave him $100 for it. :mad:

JRThro
07-27-2005, 08:25 AM
That's right, John. If you haven't already, why don't you post the link Greg took of your
Estes STAR WARS Death Star's flights? I'm sure those who are members of this forum would
like to read the flight reports and see a few pics (right, guys?)...

My film should be ready tomorrow, so I should have my pics of last Saturday's launch posted
on the Challenger 498 photo album...
Dave, I've updated the YORF thread about my Death Star, and added 4 of the pics that Greg took last Saturday. Thanks for the suggestion!

That thread is at http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=277

JRThro
07-27-2005, 08:54 AM
(Heh-heh. John said "whack off".)
My first car was supposed to be a Hornet. Dad told Grandpa to trade it in instead. They gave him $100 for it. :mad:
With malice aforethought, believe me.

And btw, AMC's factory was in Kenosha, Wisconsin, home of NARCONs 2004, 2005, and 2006.

A Fish Named Wallyum
07-27-2005, 09:23 AM
And btw, AMC's factory was in Kenosha, Wisconsin, home of NARCONs 2004, 2005, and 2006.

I don't hold that against them. ;)

Tau Zero
07-27-2005, 11:44 PM
Jay, shouldn't you be packing the Pacer for the Oregon trip? :eek: :D
(Don't forget your RUSH 8-tracks.)
Now *that's* funny. I had a friend who drove a Pacer back in the early 80's. I thought the curvy windows around the back were kind of futuristic, but I can't say the same for the car's performance.

And I saw a carrying case full of 8-tracks at an auction on Monday. :eek: Now, I didn't pop for it, since I didn't have a player. But I know a guy who used to have a *4*-track player! (It was mono, and 8-tracks were stereo.)

Packing begins in earnest on Friday. Today I got Emma (age 7) what she calls a "big girl booster seat" :D for the trip. Also got the cruise control on the Ford (not Centuri) Taurus fixed last week. My wife Kathryn bought chili-flavored Fritos today, while I picked up four 12-pack boxes of Coca-Cola related beverages for 10 bucks.

(old timer voice) "We could be settin' in fer a spell, so's we got to be *ready!*"

dwmzmm
07-28-2005, 09:22 PM
Here's one launch pic takened by Challenger 498 club member Greg Deeter:

http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/DSC04941

When the pic comes up, you can click the pic again to get a full scan resolution. I may have more pics uploaded in the same photo album sometimes tomorrow...

More pics of the Gremlin's flight last Saturday from the Challenger 498 photo album:

http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000005
http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000006
http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000007
http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000008
http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000009
http://www.challenger498.org/gallery/album14/FH000013

Enjoy!

Thor
07-31-2005, 09:47 AM
The BT60 Upscale Goblin (1.24X) is now finished and ready for flight. I have the decals but havent applied them yet. The BT60 Original scale DER RED MAX is finished and painted except decals. I have decals from PHRED at Excelsior Rocketry for both but when I bought the two MICROSCALE solutions for decal application I found I didnt get the third one that is called for on PHRED's directions. The two I do have are: LIQUID DECAL FILM and MICRO SOL. I am tempted to apply them using only these two solutions. From what I have read I think The first strengthens the decal prior to water soak and applicatons and the second will melt it into the rocket's shape. Any thoughts on this one? Should I go ahead and try one or wait until I get the other bottle that preps the area for the decal. My BIG GOBLIN has been painted over a month and I wonder if I really need the prep solution for it as the paint is a bit aged.
I used the same nose cone, bought two of them, from THRUSTAERO for the BT60 Goblin and the BT60 Der Red Max and I really love the shape. The Upscale Goblin tips the scales at 3 ounces vs 1.75 ounces of my 1X Goblin that I lost. I think it will be a bit safer to fly with a D12-5 as far as recovery is concerned. Here is a pix of the nose cone I used on both these rockets, it is really nice.