12-25-2012, 03:56 AM
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Master Modeler
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 6,507
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Originally Posted by tbzep
I can't see my top kits changing unless they go out of production.
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...Unless, maybe, Semroc produced kits of some of the various Nova launch vehicle designs? :-) And:
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Originally Posted by tbzep
Saturn 1B and Mars Lander. I had them tied when I last posted, but the more I look at the Saturn, the more I'm reaffermed that it has to be #1. I like 'em all, but the Saturn 1B is in a class by itself.  |
Yes, there's something about those eight small, swept fins--which are reminiscent of Estes Alpha fins--that is aesthetically very pleasing. It's even possible that that fin planform *was* chosen because, along with meeting the Saturn IB's aerodynamic stability and structural requirements, they just plain looked good. (The attractive and distinctive "stinger tail" that is a hallmark of the Horten Brothers' flying wing aircraft was added to their later sailplane, prop- and jet-powered flying wings both because it looked good and was aerodynamically advantageous.) |