Estes PNC-50Y / BNC-50Y Nose Cone

[Jack Hydrazine]

I've designed a 3D model of the Estes PNC-50Y/BNC-50Y nose cone that will fit the BT-50 airframe tubing. You can download it from Thingiverse for free and print it.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4525200

Estes kits that use this nose cone:

Kit# K-32, Starlight
Kit# K-33, Trident
Kit# K-38, Avenger
Kit# K-42, Orbital Transport
Kit# K-46, Shrike
Kit# 0819, Little John
Kit# 1233, Trident
Kit# 1242, Orbital Transport
Kit# 1246, Shrike
Kit# 1265, Scissor-Wing Transport
Kit# 2033, Trident II

[5x7]

Here are many classic kits that used the PNC:

Number Kit Name
0807 Condor
0819 Little John
0820 Viper
0864 Spartan
1238 Avenger
1276 Antares
1277 Icarus
1322 Delta Star
1324 Polaris
1325 Gamma
1342 Starblazer X-20
1343 Orion Starfighter
1356 Astro Bee
1359 Orbital Interceptor
1365 Sky-Hi
1369 S.S. Cassiopeia
1382 Comanche-3
1386 Asteroid Explorer
1905 Stinger
1906 Sizzler
1913 Advanced Target Drone
1923 Cougar

[Jack Hydrazine]

Thanks!

[5x7]

No, thank you. This is one that’s been needed for a long time!

[scigs30]

I posted a few months back that Estes is now using this vintage nose cone on their Tazz rocket.

[Jack Hydrazine]

How did you find out?

[5x7]

How did you find out?

It’s the shape (there are long threads here about the shape of balsa copies of plastic originals) but the confirmation is the part number in the kit is 071009.

Tazz instructions (https://estesrockets.com/wp-content/uploads/Instructions/007282_TAZZ.pdf)

Estes Nosecone Guide (https://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/Estes_Nose_Cone_Reference_10.1.pdf)

Can you do a PNC-50x? I don’t think Estes has that mould anymore.

[5x7]

I emailed Estes customer service after the Tazz came out and asked if they would offer the nosecone as a separate part, and got a flat out no.

[scigs30]

I emailed Estes customer service after the Tazz came out and asked if they would offer the nosecone as a separate part, and got a flat out no.


That is sad to hear, Estes used to be real good about sending out parts.

[5x7]

Maybe if I just asked for some they would have done it, I asked if they would please sell them, like so many of the plastic parts. They even sell the solo gliders seperatly.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Can you do a PNC-50x? I don’t think Estes has that mould anymore.

They don't have the mold anymore for the PNC-50X? Looking at the list of kits that the PNC-50X were in one that stands out is the Photon Disruptor (kit# 1282).

The original kit (#1282) was produced from 1976 to 1981. It was re-issued around 2010. I still see the kits being sold on Ebay and Amazon. Did they use a different nose cone in the re-issue?

[5x7]

They don't have the mold anymore for the PNC-50X? Looking at the list of kits that the PNC-50X were in one that stands out is the Photon Disruptor (kit# 1282).

The original kit (#1282) was produced from 1976 to 1981. It was re-issued around 2010. I still see the kits being sold on Ebay and Amazon. Did they use a different nose cone in the re-issue?

The original BT-50 based PD #1282 (1976-1981) has unfortunately never been reissued.

From 91-92, Estes offered an upscale, the #2052 Photon Disruptor II, BT-55.

In 2010 to 2014, they reissued the upscale BT-55 version, but just added to the confusion by dropping the ‘II’ and just reissued the upscale as the 3025 Photon Disruptor.

I feel like they don’t have the 50x anymore is because it was used initially for very few models, and Estes didn’t use it for the re-issue of the Multi-Roc. Jon Boren has recreated or reimagined at least three other classic cones, here’s hoping this simple but elegant one will return.

[olDave]

There should be some way that Estes could coordinate with one or two of the larger modroc hobby vendors when they purchase these NCs. OK, so Estes is no longer interested in the spare parts business, they only want enough parts to make their bagged-up kits. That's fine. But I don't know why they would object to someone else buying a few hundred (or thousand?) NCs. It's not like a few spare parts is gonna cause any disastrous drop in sales for Estes, these NCs would only really be marketable to a niche portion of us rocketry nuts.

Buying these NCs in bulk would probably only be reasonably do-able it done at the same time Estes buys its own several thousand. And the stamp of "official Estes part" would be legit, versus the suspicions that would be raised over someone else ordering the same parts at some later time.

[tbzep]

But I don't know why they would object to someone else buying a few hundred (or thousand?) NCs.
At one time, their reasoning was to prevent a potentially competitive company from using their parts to make kits.

[Jack Hydrazine]

The original BT-50 based PD #1282 (1976-1981) has unfortunately never been reissued.

From 91-92, Estes offered an upscale, the #2052 Photon Disruptor II, BT-55.

In 2010 to 2014, they reissued the upscale BT-55 version, but just added to the confusion by dropping the ‘II’ and just reissued the upscale as the 3025 Photon Disruptor.

I feel like they don’t have the 50x anymore is because it was used initially for very few models, and Estes didn’t use it for the re-issue of the Multi-Roc. Jon Boren has recreated or reimagined at least three other classic cones, here’s hoping this simple but elegant one will return.

Is the nose cone for the BT-55 version simply an upscaled version of the 50x?

[5x7]

Is the nose cone for the BT-55 version simply an upscaled version of the 50x?

I would say no, I think he PNC-55AO is a little more pointed. These are kits that used it (through 2009):

071075, PNC-55AO (Blow Molded),
BOMARC
Prime Number Explorer
Vigilante
Cobra-1500
Sea Strike 'D'
Sky Bolt
Blue Bird Zero
Comet
NASA Pegasus
Space Station Aquarius
Magician
Pathfinder
Meteor
Photon Probe
Photon Disruptor II
F-22 Air Superiority Fighter
Firebird
Meteor

[Jack Hydrazine]

After doing more research on the PNC-50X I found that e-Rockets sells a version of it.
http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-balsa-nose-cone-bt-50-3-25-elliptical-sem-bnc-50x/

as does Balsa Machining Service.
https://www.balsamachining.com/dwgs/cones/BNC50X.pdf

The length of the nose cone seems slightly different on what's posted on RocketReviews from BMS. Not sure who is more accurate.
https://www.rocketreviews.com/estes-elliptical-nose-cone-4023.html

[5x7]

It’s likely that erockets is correct because Carl’s reproductions were very accurate.

[aeppel_cpm]

I also think both the X and AO would be great to have modeled.

I had Gordon make both for me in BT70 size. Elegant shapes.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Yes, I can do both the X and the AO!

[Jack Hydrazine]

It’s likely that erockets is correct because Carl’s reproductions were very accurate.

I have designed the 50X and it will be posted shortly.

[Jack Hydrazine]

I would say no, I think he PNC-55AO is a little more pointed. These are kits that used it (through 2009):

071075, PNC-55AO (Blow Molded),
BOMARC
Prime Number Explorer
Vigilante
Cobra-1500
Sea Strike 'D'
Sky Bolt
Blue Bird Zero
Comet
NASA Pegasus
Space Station Aquarius
Magician
Pathfinder
Meteor
Photon Probe
Photon Disruptor II
F-22 Air Superiority Fighter
Firebird
Meteor

Do you happen to know what the length of the AO is without the shoulder?

-Jack

[Jack Hydrazine]

I also think both the X and AO would be great to have modeled.

I had Gordon make both for me in BT70 size. Elegant shapes.

Are you wanting a 3D design of the BNC-55AO?

[5x7]

Do you happen to know what the length of the AO is without the shoulder?

-Jack

I don’t, sorry.

[aeppel_cpm]

Are you wanting a 3D design of the BNC-55AO?

Yes.

Please pardon me - I tend to think of the shape designated by the trailing letter and be lazy about the tubing size. Mostly because I've been building upscales and downscales. A few of the shapes/letters appear across multiple tube sizes, but most don't. I think.

Gordon made great BNC-70X and BNC-70AO nose cones for me. But printing has been working for me more recently.

And given 1 tubing size STL, I can scale the print to my heart's content.