I had this as a kid, but despite building the rocket, I remember very little about it other than the stickers left a lot to be desired. 35 years later I picked another one up via Ebay, and as a result of my "build what I've got" policy, it finds itself on the build table. There was a thread on her concerning this years ago, but as far as I know the rocket has never been built, finished and flown. I'm hoping to do all three.

The kit looked to be pretty much complete in the auction pics, but as it turned out, the nose cone shoulder was missing. Not a problem. I had an engine block that fit perfectly in the bottom of the nose cone, which was very brittle and cracked. Problem, but not one I can't handle. A little CA and we're, well, good as 35 years old.

The body tube itself is pretty rough, not terribly round, and kind of frayed on one end. It will probably not be pretty, but if I can get one flight and a few pics out of it, I'll be happy.

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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

Cool beans. I still have my original kit from the 70's up in the attic. I wonder if the helium is still in the can?

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Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558

If mine is any indicator, no.
Also, don't count on using the glue.

__________________
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

I've often wondered how that *styrofoam* launch pad would stand up to the exhaust plume, especially after repeated launches! Its launch controller, which lacks a safety key (arming is accomplished via a two- or three-position slide switch) is also interesting.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

The launcher is the only thing that survived from my Christmas, 1977 set. I know I did launch the hand launched rocket that winter, and I remember being very unimpressed at the rocket and the flight. As far as I know, the solid power rocket didn't survive the move the next winter, although I still had much of the rest of the kit when I got married. A leaky pipe in the basement took care of that.

__________________
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

You're lucky the foam didn't get moldy from the ever-present wetness; I've seen it happen to styrofoam. Also:

The catapult-launched rocket should fly very well using plugged model rocket motors. The model's rubber band-operated, hinged parachute compartment hatch is held closed during ascent by aerodynamic pressure, opening only after the rocket slows down. If you flew it under rocket power (using a launch luglet on the hatch, so that the launch rod would hold the hatch closed until the rocket was moving fast enough for the aerodynamic pressure to hold the hatch closed), the rubber band would serve as a "self-adjusting delay," automatically opening the parachute compartment hatch when the model reached the apex of its trajectory. Fabric/elastic cord could probably be substituted for the rubber band if desired.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

Aw, c'mon noww. Everybody knows that 35 year old cans of helium and bottles of glue GOTTA still be good.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

I had one of these...I recall that the glue was easy to sand as opposed to other white glues
of the period.

Bob

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illegitimi non carborundum

NAR# 54643 L-1

SAM# 043

AMA# 157091

VRCS# 154

A&P# 42x xx xxxx.