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  #1  
Old 09-27-2011, 03:36 PM
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Default Size of balsa block in the Star Blazer (K-31)

Does anyone know the size of the balsa block that was included with the original Estes Star Blazer (K-31)? It its listed as NCS-3, but I cannot find a reference for the size of the original piece.
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Old 09-27-2011, 06:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwtoelle
Does anyone know the size of the balsa block that was included with the original Estes Star Blazer (K-31)? It its listed as NCS-3, but I cannot find a reference for the size of the original piece.


Look at Figure 3 in the original K-31 plan. It says "...Start with block 1" x 1/2" x 3.1"..."

Now, look near the bottom-left of the same picture. It reads "...Block in kit is ample for two complete canopies..."

The block would most-likely be 1" x 1" x 3.25", which would allow for trimming. You split the block down the middle...
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Old 09-27-2011, 11:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwtoelle
Does anyone know the size of the balsa block that was included with the original Estes Star Blazer (K-31)? It its listed as NCS-3, but I cannot find a reference for the size of the original piece.


Hi Mike;

The block supplied in my kit is 3"L x 1-1/8"W x 1-1/8"H
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Old 09-28-2011, 02:52 AM
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Thank you, John. I actually like that design (the original K-31) over the simplified rework of the Star Blazer in 1972 (TK-31/0831).
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Old 09-28-2011, 03:00 PM
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Are Series III Engines (the shorties) available anywhere?
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Old 09-28-2011, 07:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bernomatic
Are Series III Engines (the shorties) available anywhere?



They are not being made today.

You could try to buy some from a collector. If your intent is to fly them, use 13mm motors and an adapter.


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Old 09-28-2011, 09:46 PM
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I still have my original K-31 Star Blazer (one of the few of my original rockets I still have). I cloned it (and did a far better job). On the clone I just fitted it with a 13mm motor mount.

I agree wholeheartedly that this one is much prettier than the later models bearing the same name.
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Old 09-28-2011, 10:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bernomatic
Are Series III Engines (the shorties) available anywhere?
As Bill indicated, you can use 13mm motors with adapters. (For the adapters, sawed off, spent 18mm motor casings work well as single-use throwaways.) There are currently six 13mm T-motor types available - ¼A3-3T, ½A3-2T, ½A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-0T and A10-3T.

Furthermore, the 18mm ½A6-2, A8-0, A8-3, A8-5 and B6-0 are all suitable to be cut down to series III lengths. If you do this, use a razor saw and stuff a little wadding in the forward end to guard against any sparks setting things off. It's a pretty remote chance, but it can happen.

Anyway, between the six T-motors and these five 18mm motors, you can create a very nice family of ersatz series III motors By the way, a Midget rips on a B6-0S to A8-5S combo.

Doug

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Old 09-28-2011, 10:55 PM
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I still have my original Star Blazer. When I ran out of shortie motors I glued a 13mm motor mount into it.

Now I wish I had left it original and used 13mm motors in a adapter.
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  #10  
Old 10-20-2011, 04:28 PM
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Default Cloned upsize

I'm still planning to upsize both Star Blazers using my favorite BT-55 and N/C combo.
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