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-   -   Estes Trident (K-33) Info (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=16463)

K'Tesh 02-06-2017 01:08 AM

Estes Trident (K-33) Info
 
There's a very good scan of the Estes Trident (K-33) instructions, and fin pattern* over on JimZ's site. Problem is... the fin pattern is a .jpg, and has no indication of the dimensions. I know that the balsa was 3/32" x 12" x 3", but I can't print the fin's image and be certain of the dimensions.

Does anyone have an original that they can measure? I think the key dimension is the length of the fin root from the point where the leading edge meets the body tube to the end of the body tube.


Thanks!

*the file also includes decals, but there's no mention of decals in the instructions, and I've heard that the kit originally didn't come with decals. IINM the decals in the file were modified from the ones used in the Trident II kit

BEC 02-06-2017 01:15 AM

Not an original but two examples built from Semroc laser cut parts - one from their re-released kit and an older one just following the original instructions. On both that dimension is 2 13/16 inches or just a hair more.

I expect Carl used the best data he could find to make the laser cut file for the Semroc parts.

That should at least get you in the ballpark.


(The larger, laser cut gas passages in the Semroc kit are a vast improvement considering the strength of some Estes ejection charges. My first one's aft end was blown apart by an ejection charge and I didn't know it until picking it up because the 'chute deployed just fine anyway....).

LeeR 02-06-2017 01:58 AM

I have instructions. I'd have to dig to see if I have the fin templates. The instructions called for some creative techniques for markings. It was recommended to use cellophane tape, cut with a sharp knife. I seem to recall the suggestion to color the clear tape with markers for produce colored stripes. Sure!

gpoehlein 02-06-2017 05:51 AM

I remember the instructions calling for puttint the celophane tape on a piece of glass, spray painting it red, and using a straight-edge and hobby knife to cut it into strips.

I still have my original that I built in 74. As a last resort, I can trace the fin outline from my model. The real hassle in that is the inside curve that wraps the fin around the BT-5. I'm not sure where I put my contour guide. But, knowing the detail that Carl always paid attention to, I would venture that the Semroc fins are exact duplicates.

astronwolf 02-06-2017 07:38 AM

These plans were postscript files that were converted to pdf a long time ago. Perhaps they are dimensionally correct.
Estes Trident

neil_w 02-06-2017 08:23 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by gpoehlein
I remember the instructions calling for puttint the celophane tape on a piece of glass, spray painting it red, and using a straight-edge and hobby knife to cut it into strips.


And that would perhaps explain why mine was never finished. I built it in the 70's, got to the point of painting the whole thing white, but never further. I've been wondering recently why I never decaled the thing, now I probably know. The model itself is long long gone.

K'Tesh 02-06-2017 10:06 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I've got the fin templates from JimZ... Problem is, there's no indication of scale, and even if it was in a format that prints scaled properly in the US, here in China, it won't print scaled properly. I'm unable to get consistent scaling here too... Some images are 15/16" to the inch, some are 7/8" to the inch... Occasionally, 9mm to 10mm. I have no idea why, and I can't understand what the lady who runs the print shop is trying saying to me anyway (unless it's very basic 2nd year Mandarin (she might be speaking Yantai Hua (the local dialect) too)).

That's why I've been putting out so many requests for scans with rulers. lately. If I have a ruler (or an inch marked out for scale), I can scale my printouts (or just bypass printing altogether, and scale my image).

Can anyone confirm the 2 13/16" measurement? Again, if I can nail down the length of the root edge from the forward point to the "Locating Mark", I can scale from that and I'm golden. Of course since this is a "hand cut" fin pattern, I realize that there can and will be differences in measurements of actual fins (but the pattern should be fairly constant).

K'Tesh 02-06-2017 10:08 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by astronwolf
These plans were postscript files that were converted to pdf a long time ago. Perhaps they are dimensionally correct.
Estes Trident


My VPN has me as if I were in Chicago, but the site is refusing connection. :(

BEC 02-06-2017 10:42 AM

I printed out astronwolf's .pdf (well, the templates page) at 100% and then measured with the same little ruler I was using last night on my models. I'm getting 2 15/16ths from the fin tip to the locating mark. I guess I'll need to cut the template out and lay it on the models.

K'Tesh 02-06-2017 11:08 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
I printed out astronwolf's .pdf (well, the templates page) at 100% and then measured with the same little ruler I was using last night on my models. I'm getting 2 15/16ths from the fin tip to the locating mark. I guess I'll need to cut the template out and lay it on the models.


Thanks BEC!

Please lemme know how it turns out...

In the meantime... Bed! It's after 1 am here.


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