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Fuse Eh! 09-06-2018 02:08 PM

Lodestar?
 
So we've all probably seen an Estes Loadstar (or II) in our day... but is anyone planning on designing / building a Lodestar? If so, what would it look like?

As a Canadian I have no particular horse in this race, but in my mind I see a four fin design (for the fourth estate), in black and white coloration (representing text on paper), with "Lodestar" written in an appropriate New York Times-y font on the body tube. Newspaper streamer recovery of course. I just can't decide on what shape of nose cone to go with though: cone, parabola, ogive, blunt?

Any other creative ideas?

shrox 09-06-2018 03:15 PM

Ogive, because oh what I'd give to see that.

jeffyjeep 09-07-2018 12:05 PM

3 Attachment(s)
If you're referring to the Estes Loadstar 2-stager (a.k.a. "The Flying Truck") I've done a few of them over the years.

I've finished it to match the kit's face card, but also with a red PNC and transition and with graduated yellow stripes slit from adhesive film. My favorite was with a red, white, and blue scheme featuring exactly 50 chrome stylized stars on the painted BT60 payload section.

Doug Sams 09-07-2018 02:31 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffyjeep
If you're referring to the Estes Loadstar 2-stager (a.k.a. "The Flying Truck") I've done a few of them over the years.

I've finished it to match the kit's face card, but also with a red PNC and transition and with graduated yellow stripes slit from adhesive film. My favorite was with a red, white, and blue scheme featuring exactly 50 chrome stylized stars on the painted BT60 payload section.
I'm glad to see you extended the finish onto the payload section far enough to cover the shoulders. I suppose, around here, most folks do that. But I've seen a few over the years that left me shaking my head.

Doug

.

jeffyjeep 09-07-2018 03:54 PM

I know what you mean. I always cover the shoulders of the NC and transition on a model with a clear payload section. It just looks unfinished otherwise.

Fuse Eh! 09-07-2018 05:17 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by shrox
Ogive, because oh what I'd give to see that.


Nice one!! :)

And as it happens, I'm thinking of using the nose cone from a salvaged Estes Phantom because, well, it's "transparent!" And with black fins, a white body tube and a clear nosecone, from a distance I hope my Lodestar will look a little bit like a rolled up newspaper. We shall see.

Fuse Eh! 09-07-2018 05:23 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Sams
I'm glad to see you extended the finish onto the payload section far enough to cover the shoulders. I suppose, around here, most folks do that. But I've seen a few over the years that left me shaking my head.


I hang my head in shame to confess that for me, those areas usually get covered with vinyl electrical tape. :(

jeffyjeep 09-08-2018 03:44 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by shrox
Ogive, because oh what I'd give to see that.


Oh god, I just got that. Duh.

Rocket Babe 09-09-2018 01:30 PM

4 Attachment(s)
I love the Estes Loadstar, especially when you put 3 together to make a 2 stage, 6 engine, payloader. :)

I call mine, Dorothy

1. First flight as 6 engine 2 stage with payload.
2. Just before staging
3. After staging, got all engines.
4. Night launch single stage; single because I didn't want to hunt for the first stage all night.


Verna
http://www.vernarockets.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHJHOK6
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O14ET8K
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CX1UPCG
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C95BNQH

Fuse Eh! 09-09-2018 02:17 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Babe
I love the Estes Loadstar, especially when you put 3 together to make a 2 stage, 6 engine, payloader. :)

Wow! What can I say, it's definitely a no brainer that it took a lot of heart to design that, and a lot of courage to launch it as well, especially at night. ;) Much respect and kudos to you!!

Quick questions:
1. Is your tri-Loadstar Dorothy based on the same general dimensions as the original Loadstar, or did you upscale/downscale?
2. Are your first stage boosters separate or joined somehow?
3. What recovery technique did you employ for the booster(s)?
4. What engines did you use for the first and second stages?

Again, wow, and thanks for the pics!


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