09-29-2017, 02:24 AM
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Master Modeler
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 6,507
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Originally Posted by BEC
Based on some of the other things Bill has told me, the S.P.E.V. being essentially another kit with extra parts (the ones, presumably, that had been over ordered and were then excess to need) is not surprising. He has mentioned on more than one occasion that he tried to use existing parts whenever possible in a new design. Even in the Alpha's case, every part in its original incarnation was already used somewhere else in the Estes line save the fin pattern sheet and the instructions.
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There's nothing wrong with that; in fact, parts that are/were used in only one kit--except scale kits, of course--are unusual. If memory serves, some of the S.P.E.V.'s parts were estimated to have 50-year supplies at Estes!
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Originally Posted by BEC
Well....at least for those who want to collect every single packaging variation of a given model, I suppose so. I strongly doubt that was the intent behind it.  |
I don’t think it was intended, either; but if I worked at Estes and was aware of the “transition collectors,” I might buy a few such “transition” kits and stash them away...
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Originally Posted by mwtoelle
The Thor-Agena B actually used the BT-60K from the Ranger (Payload tube). The SPEV used the BT-60FG from the Mars Lander which was approximately 0.3" shorter (6.7" vs. 7"). I still think the SPEV is an interesting design and a creative way to eliminate some excess parts.
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Thank you. Never having had either of those kits, I wasn’t aware of that slight BT-60 length difference. It’s small enough, though, that the motor mount (which uses a JT-60 stage coupler in the Thor-Agena B kit, see: http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-28.pdf [oddly, “Thor-Agena B” is printed correctly in the kit instructions, unlike in the catalogs’ listings for the kit]) could just be allowed to protrude 0.3” out the rear of the S.P.E.V.’s BT-60FG, and a 0.3” wide strip of card stock (or scrap BT-60) could fill the 0.3” wide “gap.”
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Originally Posted by rocket.aero
Early American astronauts were notable for making small, sundry purchases with personal checks. Picture Alan Shepard buying a Coke and a candy bar with his checkbook and you'll get the idea. Who would cash that check?
James
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I hadn’t known that, but if I were that famous, I’d do that, too! :-) |