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  #1  
Old 01-25-2013, 12:13 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Default MPC Star Trek Rockets

I decided to start a new thread rather than post in the other one (MPC Oop).

I noticed on Sunday that the Kiss and Star Trek MPC rocket models were now available from eHobbies so I placed an order for one each of the Star Trek models.

The models arrived today.

The models are packaged in full color boxes with hang tabs which can be pulled out if the model is to be displayed on peg hooks. The 'traditional' MPC logo is found on the front of the box at the top.

These models are not RTF but rather like and Estes E2X or Quest Quick-Kit. Assembly time is listed as "Less Than One Hour".

The kits are pretty much all plastic. The body tubes are rolled sheets of plastic much like the 'Sky' models sold by Apogee. Body tube diameters are listed as 22mm, 35mm and 40mm.

I opened the 'Enterprise' model to look at the parts. The kit uses a twist ring like the Quest Quick-Kits to hold the motor in place. I was unable to get the ring to 'twist' after I inserted it into the fin can. I guess a little modification will be in order.

I will post more about these kits as I have time to build and fly them.
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Old 01-25-2013, 06:17 PM
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Where did you put the KISS rockets?
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Old 01-27-2013, 12:31 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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I built one of the MPC Star Trek rockets today.

I started off with the "U.S.S. Reliant" model.
It is based on the Sky "East Wind" model sold by Apogee. Only the finish is different.

The build was very much like the East Wind kit which I had built several years before. Even down to the motor hook being taped to the outside of the body tube.

The instructions had a few errors (Insert the fins through the Front of the fin can not the Back, instruction steps should go 1, 2, 5, 4, 3, fin sticker placement, 6).

The parachute is HUGE for this size/mass model (1.0 oz w/o motor or wadding). The box states 12" parachute but the one in the box is 15"! The parachute is probably the coolest part of the kit with the graphic of the USS Reliant printed on it.

The packaging states flights to 460 feet. Hmmm... The rocket has a mass of 1 ounce and can be flown with a C6-5 motor. I think it can go higher than that!

I plan to fly the model next Saturday. I will post the results.
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Last edited by Initiator001 : 02-02-2013 at 10:04 PM.
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Old 01-27-2013, 03:02 AM
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blackshire blackshire is offline
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Yep, 460 meters sounds more like it. :-) Fred Shecter mentioned that the Sky East Wind model leaks ejection charge gas around where the motor protrudes from the plastic fin can, to the point that the nose cone might not pop off. A wrap of masking tape around the motor at that point should produce a good "gasket" to prevent leakage.
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:09 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackshire
Yep, 460 meters sounds more like it. :-) Fred Shecter mentioned that the Sky East Wind model leaks ejection charge gas around where the motor protrudes from the plastic fin can, to the point that the nose cone might not pop off. A wrap of masking tape around the motor at that point should produce a good "gasket" to prevent leakage.


Fred had seen my East Wind model during check-in at a SCRA launch.

Don't worry, I will be sure to seal up the motor/fin can interface.
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:27 AM
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blackshire blackshire is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
Fred had seen my East Wind model during check-in at a SCRA launch.

Don't worry, I will be sure to seal up the motor/fin can interface.
Good. Also, does the MPC kit have a better motor clip than the East Wind? (The East Wind's motor clip is easily bent.)
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:35 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackshire
Good. Also, does the MPC kit have a better motor clip than the East Wind? (The East Wind's motor clip is easily bent.)


Nope.

Same motor clip.
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Old 01-28-2013, 12:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
Nope.

Same motor clip.
Thank you for letting us know. Well...*tosses head philosophically*, I have yet to have found the perfect model rocket kit, and the day I do there will be a flash of light and I'll find myself transformed into a unicorn... :-)
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http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
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Old 01-28-2013, 08:40 AM
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Skinny German manufactured Quest motors will have the ejection gas leakage problems, but I am not sure about the Chinese made Quest motors (meaning I do not recall).

If a motor is loose, add masking tape to form a seal.

If a motor is tight, then an extra seal is not necessary.
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Old 01-28-2013, 08:45 AM
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I would have to be DELIBERATELY sniffing Aero Gloss ALL DAY LONG before I could see ANY resemblance between these things and ANYTHING on Star Trek.
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