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Alpha III "mystery part?"
Hello All,
In the 1971 Estes catalog, in which the Alpha III was first listed (see: http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...1/711est16.html ), the box on that page labeled "Plastic Replacement Parts FOR ALPHA III" listed a part called "Adapter 711-PTA-2050A" along with the plastic nose cone (711-PNC-50K) and the plastic fin unit (711-PFS-50A). What was/is this adapter--the mylar motor clip retainer ring, perhaps? (I doubt this because the mylar retainer ring's designation was/is "HR-20" in the Alpha III kit instructions [see: http://www.oldrocketplans.com/estes/est1256/est1256.pdf ], although I suppose this part's identification number may have been changed over the years. The Saros' plastic BT-50 to BT-20 reducer adapter had a similar designation, "PTA-2050" [see: http://www.oldrocketplans.com/estes/estK-54/estK-54.pdf ], but this part was certainly never used in the Alpha III kit.) Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on this.
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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 Last edited by blackshire : 01-07-2011 at 10:05 PM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
#2
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I'm going to make a wild guess here... Since we're talking about the Alpha III, the only conceivable part it could be is a set of plastic adapter rings. One (or both) may have had a flat notch or a split molded into it for the engine hook to slip through. This is one of the plan scans we're still looking for (I think), the earliest release of the Alpha III (K-Series), K-56.
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Craig McGraw BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum BARs helping BARs SAM 0044 AMA 352635 |
#3
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If so, the very earliest Alpha III kits would have been assembled using tube-type plastic model cement. My guess is that they realized that paper centering rings were not only lighter, but that the single forward paper ring would (using white glue or yellow wood glue, which made the kit more "kid-friendly" and safer) be sufficient to bond the fin unit/motor mount assembly into the body tube *without* having to bond the tenon of the plastic fin unit into the body tube using tube-type plastic cement.
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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 |
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I have four unopened K-56 kits. I'm going to build one, I'll get you a scan Braden
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Active rockets: Extreme Darkstar(HPR) BSD 4" Little John(HPR) Ultimate Darkstar (HPR) 5.5 polecat NIKE smoke (HPR) Retired: Estes Mosquito (Mini Brute) under construction: L1 5.5" Standard ARM RIP Erik Gates. Your talents will never be forgotten. |
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I'd like to see that info too....since I've started to get into the minutiae of rockets that use the Alpha III fin can....so I'd love to know more details about the original K-56.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
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I was going to send a PDF scan to each of the plan sites, because I'm nice like that I'm going to my "secret place" and hopefully coming back with three more on monday. Two have crushed body tubes, which is a bummer, but those ones can be had cheap. I didn't have enough cash on me to grab them all today. Based on Gerry Fortin's Site, these good condition ones go for, on average about $60. Then again, he's only ever seen three for sale They have slight compressions on the body tubes, but what can you expect, they're 25 years old. Other than that they are in great condition. One's plastic bag has been peeled away from the hang tag, so it's slightly open, I'll be building that one. Braden
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Active rockets: Extreme Darkstar(HPR) BSD 4" Little John(HPR) Ultimate Darkstar (HPR) 5.5 polecat NIKE smoke (HPR) Retired: Estes Mosquito (Mini Brute) under construction: L1 5.5" Standard ARM RIP Erik Gates. Your talents will never be forgotten. |
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If you want to then sell off one of those with the crushed BT, I'd be interested.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
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Mark S. Kulka NAR #86134 L1,_ASTRE #471_Adirondack Mountains, NY
Opinions Unfettered by Logic • Advice Unsullied by Erudition • Rocketry Without Pity
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#9
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Perhaps he meant "they're at least 25 years old..." Technically even I qualify for that description, but don't ask my mommie... she might have other thoughts...can't quit playing with toys...
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Craig McGraw BARCLONE Rocketry -- http://barclone.rocketshoppe.com BARCLONE Blogsite -- http://barclone.wordpress.com BARCLONE Forum -- BARCLONE Forum BARs helping BARs SAM 0044 AMA 352635 |
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Mark, you are right and wrong. When I brought these home, I had a bit to learn about vintage kits. So with the help of tedzep, I crossed referenced the kits on Gerry's site. They have a yellow face card, and a black hang tag. In the earliest release, they came with a red face card, then they changed to the yellow face card, with a black hang tag, then changed again to the yellow face card(no hang tag info). Then the K-56 was retired. So I used his hang tag dating info, which revealed that black hang tag was used from 1982-1985. So, these kits are between 25 and 28 years old (excluding 2011). They say right on the face card, K-56 #1256. Which makes me believe I can't exclude it from being the K-kit line. These are the kits I referenced on his site, with the mean price of $60.
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Active rockets: Extreme Darkstar(HPR) BSD 4" Little John(HPR) Ultimate Darkstar (HPR) 5.5 polecat NIKE smoke (HPR) Retired: Estes Mosquito (Mini Brute) under construction: L1 5.5" Standard ARM RIP Erik Gates. Your talents will never be forgotten. |
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