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  #41  
Old 02-04-2017, 07:16 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Default NCRBE Orbit

(Continued...)


The Orbit kit itself drew upon parts which had a history of use in high-performance model rockets.

The black molded fin can and nose cone came from the molds created by Centuri Engineering in the early 1970s for use with the Enerjet 1340 Sounding Rocket.

The Orbit kit would also inherit the problem with the fin can fins fluttering and breaking off at high velocities.
To resolve this issue mass was added to the Orbit kit in the form of thick-walled body tubes, 1.125" ID x 1.304" OD x 17" long.
These tubes featured a gold prism paper outer wrap.

To avoid having to modify the nose cone shoulder to fit the thick-walled body tubes the upper two inches of the body featured standard BT-56 tubing.

For recovery the Orbit came apart at the mid-body joint between the two thick-walled body tubes and featured a 4" x 60" orange flagging tape streamer.

The launch lug was a 1/4" ID x 6" long thick walled tube with gold prism outer wrap.
The molded fin can fit over the outside of the body tube. This would cause launch rod binding if a normal wall thickness 1/4" launch lug was glued to the body.
The thick-walled walled launch lug held the launch rod further away from the rocket body and eliminated this problem.

The motor was retained in the 29mm motor mount using masking tape.

As for the finishing scheme the model had pre-colored tubes and black plastic parts.

The decals on the prototype appeared to be self-adhesive.

As for the kit name decal the decal basically said "Orbit" in a 72 point Avante Gard bold font style. The
break line had a 1/4" black stripe on each tube. This was to "seal" the body
tube, since that prismastic paper would sometimes come unraveled at the cut
line. There was another 1/2" black stripe at the nose cone/tube joint and at the
short tube/long tube joint, again to seal the tube.


The overall length of the Orbit model was 43.5".

The model would be powered by a long delay Dark Star F62-9 and G70-10 motors.

According to one witness the prototype Orbit kits were, "A blast to fly!!"

TBC...
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  #42  
Old 02-04-2017, 07:22 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Default NCRBE Orbit

(Continued...)

Pictures of the prototype Orbit kit featuring the launch lug placement, mid-body break for recovery system and logo decal.

TBC...
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  #43  
Old 02-04-2017, 07:34 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Default NCRBE Orbit

(Continued...)

So, why did the Orbit Launch Set not go into production?

When it became time to put the Orbit Launch Set into production Estes had signed the licensing agreement for the Star Wars products. All efforts at Estes focused on making the Star Wars product line investment pay off.

Also, neither Sam's Club or Costco picked up the product but the reasons for their decisions is unknown.

These two situations sealed the fate of the Orbit rocket kit and it's launch set.

------------------

I would like to thank Matt Steele for providing all the pictures of the Orbit model after I was unable to locate my set of parts and for answering my questions on this product.
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  #44  
Old 02-04-2017, 11:09 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
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Great story on the Orbit. Thanks Bob and Matt!
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  #45  
Old 02-07-2017, 10:32 PM
ManofSteele ManofSteele is offline
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The photos I sent Bob were not the only iteration of the NCRBE Orbit that we developed. I will post photos of the first version we developed in a bit....

Matt
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  #46  
Old 02-08-2017, 01:29 AM
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shrox shrox is offline
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That dynamo powered launch controller I designed never happened...
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  #47  
Old 02-08-2017, 10:13 AM
Woody's Workshop Woody's Workshop is offline
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Hmmm, never knew about Shrockets, glad I followed your link Shrox.
I like you plan packs. When I get some $$ I have to order 1.
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  #48  
Old 02-08-2017, 10:39 AM
Tango Juliet Tango Juliet is offline
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Likewise. I may have to order one soon myself.
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  #49  
Old 02-08-2017, 11:13 AM
Don Altschwager Don Altschwager is offline
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As to Sam's or Costco not picking up the Obit kit, I remember picking up a Quest starter kit at Sam's during that time frame.

Maybe Sam's went with Quest at that time? That was the only time I ever saw any model rocket items at Sams.

Don
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  #50  
Old 02-12-2017, 08:54 AM
PaulK PaulK is offline
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Good stuff Bob, thanks for posting!
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