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-   -   Estes Challenger-1 Decal Re-Drawn and Upscaled (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=18285)

Ltvscout 02-01-2020 09:51 AM

Estes Challenger-1 Decal Re-Drawn and Upscaled
 
I'd like to thank Erik Goodman (erik442) for sharing his re-draw of the Estes Challenger-1 decal. This also includes an upscale from the original BT-50 size to BT-60. He says they print out at 100% on 8.5" x 11" landscape format.

https://www.oldrocketplans.com/deca...enger_50_60.jpg

5x7 02-02-2020 08:48 AM

That’s great! If I only could get a hold of one of those fin units...

erik442 02-02-2020 11:42 AM

I was looking through my new Estes catalog last week and noticed that they're still offering the Sky Writer. It sure looks like it has a fin can similar to the Challenger/Proton Torpedo.

BEC 02-02-2020 05:22 PM

The Hobby-Lobby exclusive Cadet also uses that fin can (the same as the SkyWriter).

5x7 02-02-2020 05:28 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by erik442
I was looking through my new Estes catalog last week and noticed that they're still offering the Sky Writer. It sure looks like it has a fin can similar to the Challenger/Proton Torpedo.


It’s close but the Challenger 1/StarTrek/ Kadet and early Scorpion units were double swept and diamond airfoil, the Sky Writer trailing edge is not swept and the airfoil is a wedge with a flat trailing edge. Both are nice but the earlier unit looks better to me.

See below from an old Kadet and a Mongoose to compare.

erik442 02-02-2020 06:43 PM

Would it be possible to remove material from the new can to match the profile of the original?

5x7 02-02-2020 09:30 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
The Hobby-Lobby exclusive Cadet also uses that fin can (the same as the SkyWriter).


The Cadet actually uses a third BT-50 fin unit, with downswept fins, and the trailing edge jogs with a little Centuri flare near the root.

tbzep 02-03-2020 07:01 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
It’s close but the Challenger 1/StarTrek/ Kadet and early Scorpion units were double swept and diamond airfoil, the sky winter trailing edge is not swept and the airfoil is a wedge with a flat trailing edge. Both are nice but the earlier unit looks better to me.

See below from an old Kadet and a Mongoose to compare.

Thanks. I used to post this about every other month when folks would claim the E2X/Skywriter was the same can.

tbzep 02-03-2020 07:04 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by erik442
Would it be possible to remove material from the new can to match the profile of the original?

No. The current Skywriter/E2X can has wedge shaped airfoil. The classic fin can has a diamond profile airfoil. Also, the leading edge is already swept a little too much, iirc. I'm at work and can't eyeball them. It's hard to tell in the pics.

That said, if you want stand off scale, you can get pretty close. If you just stuff a Skywriter fin can on a Challenger 1, all us old folks will immediately notice even from a distance. Put a little forward sweep on the trailing edge and it will start fooling the ones who's eyesight isn't what it used to be.

.

5x7 02-03-2020 10:49 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by erik442
Would it be possible to remove material from the new can to match the profile of the original?


The old can itself is also bi-convex, where the sky writer unit is linear, but angling out toward the aft end, so it would be difficult. Hopefully one of the 3D printing gurus will take it on.


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