Estes PRP-1G Fin Can

[Jack Hydrazine]

I have designed a 3D model of the Estes PRP-1G fin can that was used on kits such as the Estes Challenger-1 and the Kadet among several. I have included several variations with a few more in the works.
Here is a list of model rocket kits that have used this fin can.
Kit# 1235, No. 2 Sky Writer #2
Kit# 1260, No. 2 Estes Sky Writer #2 (same kit, different package)
Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units) (early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)
Kit# 1447, America (starter set)
Kit# 1993, Lancer
Kit# 2026, Athena
Kit# 2042, America

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4554892

[John Brohm]

The Kadet and the Challenger 1 had the same fin can (but different color); pretty much the rest were all different colors of the "E2X" fin can.

The attached list should help; forgive me, but I've not updated it in some time.

[5x7]

The kits not listed below use a similar fin can, but not as nice, The kits on your list that definitely used the PRP-1G, I believe this is also the correct, complete list:
Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units. PRP-1G only early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)

[tbzep]

The kits on your list that definitely used the PRP-1:

Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units. PRP-1 only early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)
Yes, but the Skywriter, Generic E2X, etc. used a fin can that looks the same from a distance, but it completely different. They have a slight leading edge sweep and the fins are wedge shaped. The Challenger-1 fins had a diamond airfoil and an ever so slight leading edge sweep and trailing edge that mirrored it, giving a wink and a nod to a Nike fin.

[5x7]

The Kadet and the Challenger 1 had the same fin can (but different color); pretty much the rest were all different colors of the "E2X" fin can.

The attached list should help; forgive me, but I've not updated it in some time.
There is a lot of confusion about these fin units and this comes up every so often. It’s not “pretty much the rest” used another can, below is the complete list that used the PRP-1. Your guides are very helpful, thank you.

Yes, but the Skywriter, Generic E2X, etc. used a fin can that looks the same from a distance, but it completely different. They have a slight leading edge sweep and the fins are wedge shaped. The Challenger-1 fins had a diamond airfoil and an ever so slight leading edge sweep and trailing edge that mirrored it, giving a wink and a nod to a Nike fin.
That is correct, I will say again, I believe this is the correct, complete list that used the PRP-1G fincan, in various colors:
Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units. PRP-1 only early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)

[tbzep]

That is correct, but I don't think there was anything to correct in my post.
I will say again, I believe this is the correct, complete list that used the PRP-1.
Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units. PRP-1 only early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)
I didn't mean to make it look like I was correcting you. I wanted to make sure we are seeing the difference between the two fin cans, and quoted your post to continue with correct set of kits that used the Challenger can. I should have worded it differently.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Yes, but the Skywriter, Generic E2X, etc. used a fin can that looks the same from a distance, but it completely different. They have a slight leading edge sweep and the fins are wedge shaped. The Challenger-1 fins had a diamond airfoil and an ever so slight leading edge sweep and trailing edge that mirrored it, giving a wink and a nod to a Nike fin.

Is the fin can used by those kits you mentioned use the same fin can as the Mongoose?

[5x7]

I didn't mean to make it look like I was correcting you. I wanted to make sure we are seeing the difference between the two fin cans, and quoted your post to continue with correct set of kits that used the Challenger can. I should have worded it differently.
No problem, I added pics below.

Is the fin can used by those kits you mentioned use the same fin can as the Mongoose?
The PRP-1G unit is on the left from a Kadet, showing the diamond shape of the fin can itself and the fins, and the newer fin can used in the mongoose and Generic, America and others is on the right. I can provide a nearly complete list of the others if you want but no one wants that newer fin can. :)

[Jack Hydrazine]

No problem, I added pics below.


The PRP-1G unit is on the left from a Kadet, showing the diamond shape of the fin can itself and the fins, and the newer fin can used in the mongoose and Generic, America and others is on the right. I can provide a nearly complete list of the others if you want but no one wants that newer fin can. :)

Thanks for correcting me on the list of rockets that did and did not use the PRP-1G fin can. I plan to design the other fin can, too. Do you know the designation for this other fin can? A complete list of all kits that used it would be great. I can add that information on Thingiverse when I get it designed and posted.

[CenturiKid]

Thanks so much for posting this! Does anyone know if the cone used on the Challenger 1 is available on thingiverse anywhere? I looked around but wasn't sure if anything was quite the right profile.

[tbzep]

but no one wants that newer fin can. :)
Plus one on that. The newer style can is a dog in comparison. It makes me feel...cheap.
The old Challenger/Kadet can has a Nike vibe to it, even though it isn't really shaped like Nike fins. The new can has a cheap Chinese throw-away toy vibe.

Having said I don't like the newer fin can, I have dozens of old E2X fin cans and nose cones from school launches where rockets were damaged or hung in trees for weeks. I use them to make Scorpion/Mongoose-like scratch built two stagers for school demo flights. I usually paint them fluorescent orange with one yellow fin on each stage and use a long old-style orange crepe streamer for the sustainer. The orange seems easiest to track on a blue sky at the altitudes a pair of C6's achieve. I don't put any effort into finishing them and consider them disposable. Which is why I've never lost one. I usually let the teachers take them back to the classroom.

[5x7]

Thanks for correcting me on the list of rockets that did and did not use the PRP-1G fin can. I plan to design the other fin can, too. Do you know the designation for this other fin can? A complete list of all kits that used it would be great. I can add that information on Thingiverse when I get it designed and posted.
The part number for the later, fin can (clunky, trailing edge not swept) in the Estes Generic is 072614. I don’t think it ever had another designation. I am kind of surprised you want to do it since the Estes Generic kit, which includes all the specialized parts needed to fit the engine mount, is available at hobby lobby for $7.49 and at AC Supply for less. Are you doing it for posterity, or is it just fun to model these?

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

The kits not listed below use a similar fin can, but not as nice, The kits on your list that definitely used the PRP-1G, I believe this is also the correct, complete list:
Kit# 1328, Kadet
Kit# 1333, Scorpion (used 2 fin units. PRP-1G only early production kits)
Kit# 1416, Challenger-1 (starter set)
Kit# 1418, Star Trek (starter set)
Kit# 1420, Star Wars Proton Torpedo (starter set)
Kit# 1438, Dune: The Guild Heighliner (starter set)
Has anyone actually seen a Guild Heighliner?

[tbzep]

Has anyone actually seen a Guild Heighliner?
Not me.

But YORS has plans and decals!
https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/estes/est1438/est1438.htm

Edit: It's on the back of the 1985 catalog and gone in 1986.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Not me.

But YORS has plans and decals!
https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/estes/est1438/est1438.htm

Edit: It's on the back of the 1985 catalog and gone in 1986.
Yeah, I remember it, but I've never actually seen one. Kinda Long John Silver-ish. (Although I have seen one of those. Mike Rohde flies one on occasion.)

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Last week I was wondering how to convert an E2X kit to a Star Wars Proton Torpedo. Today I sprayed it silver and printed off a Guild Heighliner decal. Amazing how easy it all was. :cool:

[5x7]

:chuckle: Last week I was wondering how to convert an E2X kit to a Star Wars Proton Torpedo. Today I sprayed it silver and printed off a Guild Heighliner decal. Amazing how easy it all was. :cool:
Your flying buddies will tease you for using the wrong fin can :) :chuckle:

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

:chuckle:
Your flying buddies will tease you for using the wrong fin can :) :chuckle:
Nah, they know what I'm capable of. ;)

[tbzep]

Last week I was wondering how to convert an E2X kit to a Star Wars Proton Torpedo. Today I sprayed it silver and printed off a Guild Heighliner decal. Amazing how easy it all was. :cool:
But, Bill....that's the wrong fin can! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


:chuckle:



.

[5x7]

Plus one on that. The newer style can is a dog in comparison. It makes me feel...cheap.
The old Challenger/Kadet can has a Nike vibe to it, even though it isn't really shaped like Nike fins. The new can has a cheap Chinese throw-away toy vibe.
.
I agree 100%, I could never put my finger on what it is, but I think you got it, it’s the Nike vibe!!

[Jack Hydrazine]

The part number for the later, fin can (clunky, trailing edge not swept) in the Estes Generic is 072614. I don’t think it ever had another designation. I am kind of surprised you want to do it since the Estes Generic kit, which includes all the specialized parts needed to fit the engine mount, is available at hobby lobby for $7.49 and at AC Supply for less. Are you doing it for posterity, or is it just fun to model these?

I had a request from another rocketeer for it, but it's also for posterity. Yes, it does look cheap, but I'm going to polish up the design with a diamond-ish profile similar to the PRP-1G. It'll actually be worth downloading, printing and using on scratch-builds of past kits that used it.

[Jack Hydrazine]

The part number for the later, fin can (clunky, trailing edge not swept) in the Estes Generic is 072614. I don’t think it ever had another designation. I am kind of surprised you want to do it since the Estes Generic kit, which includes all the specialized parts needed to fit the engine mount, is available at hobby lobby for $7.49 and at AC Supply for less. Are you doing it for posterity, or is it just fun to model these?

Does anyone happen to have pics of this fin can from the side and the bottom?