Looking through my spare parts bin for something new to build, I came across what one might call an albatross. As most know, Estes loves to throw whatever they've got laying around into their nose cone multi-packs. So, for the longest time, I've had this sitting idle with no plan for its use;



I suppose I could clone an SR-71, or maybe even an Estes Night Wing, but I've already built both of those kits. What to do, what to do? And then it hit me. Why do I have to use it as an aircraft canopy? It kind of has a similar shape to what I've got in mind, so first, a little bit of Fill 'n' Finish to smooth out the cockpit detail;



Then, after some working in PowerPoint and some very tedious free-hand cutting, I've got the fins;



Anyboy guess what I'm up to?

Later,
EV

Not a clue.

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Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

Babylon 5???

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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I saw the fins and that gave it away... B5 White Star

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- Raúl
NAR #88644
SAM #230
EAC
CAT
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Yup...it's a B5 Whitestar....I love it!
Are you gonna share your design?

BTW how is the Lexxjett coming?

I was thinking more along this...

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Dang you guys are good! Yep, that's exactly what it's going to be.

Holding up the original scale fins to a 8" chunk of BT-50 body tube, it didn't look quite right, so my version is going to be stretched in a couple areas. The wings are a bit wider and the tails are taller, both to increase fin area for stability. I'm also making the body a bit longer (12") to move the CG forward (that SR-71 cone is heavy). I figure I'm going to put the cockpit side downward, and use some launch lug/dowel combos for the guns on the nose. Wing pods will be small pieces of BT-5 with dowels for the guns/strakes.

Later,
EV

Anyone build and fly one of these?

Very, very clever, EV. That is going to be one sweet rocket. Turning the nose cone "upside down" will definitely help in getting the look you are after. Are you putting a 24mm MMT in there? D12?

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Enjoy life, it has an expiration date.

I am LOVING this build! Detailed pics please!

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"AND I hope they are from the planet of the "Chunk spunky Mary-Lou Retton clones". - Ironnerd

"Those who trade liberty for security have neither" - Benjamin Franklin

"Semroc is almost always the answer" - Stefanj

www.paulsavia.com

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