BAR Fleet: #139 ESAM-58

 Source:  Estes Industries Kit #0661

Type: Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  69cm (27.2 in.)

Diameter:  42mm ( 1.64 in.)

Weight Empty:  88.7g ( 3.13 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Ogive

Fin Type: Multiple

Number of Fins: 8

Color Scheme:  Grey, Red, Aluminum with black, white, red , and silver trim.

Date Completed:  March 30, 2022

A Nice-Looking Bird

This kit was purchased from the local Hobby Lobby store about a year and a half ago, but construction didn't  begin until last October, when the model became part of the 2021 binge-build.

The BT-60 based rocket features two sets of inter-digitatated fins and a very long nose!

The kit was largely built stock, with the exception of being equipped with a longer motor mount stuffer tube.

The paint scheme follows that shown on the kit face card.

The application of the myriad kit decals makes for a very attractive model rocket which I am quite pleased to add to the fleet.

Binge Build - The Final Flourishing Finish !

Well, boys and girls, the Great BlastFromThePast 2021 Model Rocket Binge Build has finally come to a conclusion.

The seventh and last model, an ESAM-58, received its decal and paint embellishments yesterday, and has now been deemed flight-ready.

D'ya know what else this means?

No more of the corny alliterative blog post titles !

Coming up with those was putting quite a hurt on the few active brain cells that yet remain to me.

Anyway, here is a photo of the 2021 binge-build family:

I had so much fun with this project that I've already lined up the models that will comprise the Great BlastFromThePast 2022 Binge Build.

This one will begin on July 1st to give me six months to ensure end-of-year completion.

Cheers !

Steampunk Protostar, Part 43 - Greebles and Nurnies!

 The final stage of this build revolves around the application of small random details on the main rocket body.

The source material for all of these little decorative pieces is a plastic model kit that I have no intention to build. (More on this subject in a future post.)

Anyway, this plastic kit is chock-full of all sorts of pipes, panels, widgets, and gadgets that are perfect for adding little embellishments to the Protostar.  I've even been able to employ some sections of the kit's plastic molding sprue pieces.

Here is a pic showing the various stages of processing some of these detail parts:

After trimming and sanding the molding lines and flash from of the parts, they are brush painted in "Steampunky" antique brass acrylic paint.  Note the small pieces at top center of the photo.  These were little scale chemical barrels from the kit that were sliced in half using a heated hobby knife!  

Whatever it takes.... 

In looking through a number of online photos of various Steampunk models, I found that there was usually an over- abundance of gears, pulleys, cogs, cams, and other widgets, most of which appear to have no useful functions.  They seem to be put there purely for aesthetic effect only. In many instances the models have a very cluttered appearance.

With the Protostar, I'm trying to avoid overload of this sort of thing.  I carefully selected parts from the plastic kit that looked like they might serve some function on a working spacecraft - pipes, conduits, panels, valves, etc.

Also, since this is, after all, a flying model, I do not wish to weigh it down with a lot of un-necessary greebling.

Sometimes, less is more.

Once the parts are all painted, it's only a matter of scraping away some copper paint on the model and epoxying the 'brass' embellishments in their allotted spots.

In addition to the plastic parts, I have fashioned a small number of details made from more of the adhesive label stock.

Here is a detail photo of some of the completed additions:

Now, all that remains for the rocket body is to apply a couple of decals, clear coat, and attach the recovery system.

The final upcoming posts will cover detailing on the Protostar's 'crew capsule', a.k.a, nose cone.

There is light at the end of the tunnel on this long-running project!

Cheers....

Binge Build: Painted Parts - Day 6

 Today's weather forecast showed warmer temperatures and minimal wind, so I decided to take this opportunity to step outside and apply the final color coat to the last model of 2021's multi-rocket build - the Estes Esam-58.

After spending a good portion of the morning with masking the eight fins on this model, I took it out to the BlastFromThePast painting facility (the side of the garage) and shot the red enamel.

Here is the ESAM after masking material removal and minor brush paint touch-up:

More to come....

Three New Estes Offerings At Hobby Lobby

 I happened to check out hobby Lobby's website this afternoon to see if there were any new Estes products in the lineup.

There were three..

Two of them are beginner's starter sets - Quix and Super-Shot.  

The third offering is a bit confusing. It is described only as Model Rocket Kit.

The illustrations show one of two kits:

 Javelin - This appears to be an E2X type model with a shuttle-like parasite glider.

Rascal/ Hijinks Starter Set - another pair of beginner-level birds.

The website description does not specify whether both of these kits are available at the same location.

No additional builder's kits or new motor selections have made an appearance.

Ho-hum.....

Steampunk Protostar, Part 42- A Coal Chute Hatch Cover

 Every steam-driven machine needs to have a place to load up the coal or wood required to warm up the boiler. The Steampunk Protostar is no exception!

This post covers the construction of a hatch cover for the model's coal chute.

I've been pondering for some time how to go about constructing this small detail.

I stumbled upon the solution just the other day while having breakfast.

Upon opening a new carton of almond milk, I took notice of the little plastic pull-tab seal.  It is round, has a dome, a rim, and is just the right size for the hatch cover.

Moreover it is made from soft, pliable plastic, so it will conform easily to the rocket's body tube curve.

Geez, one never knows where that next model rocket part will come from!

Hurrying through my bowl of Cheerios (the heart-healthy stuff!), I took my new part downstairs to the BFTP La-BOR-atory to start preparing it for use.

After cutting off the pull ring and cleaning up its attachment point, I had to sand off a small dimple and a molded number from the top of the dome. 

Also noting that the dome is not centered in the circular rim, I had to trim down the latter to make things even.

After scraping away an area of riveted paneling, I was able to attach the disc to the body.

A coat of silver enamel paint was then brushed on, after which a small part from an un-built plastic model kit was found to serve as a fine handle for the feature.

To keep the handle from coming off, I resorted to drilling a tiny hole in the piece and hatch cover itself, after which a small length of music wire was installed.

The handle feature was completed with the application of some acrylic brass paint.

Moving on...

Back In The Day, Part 49 - A Very Unusual Big Bertha Paint Scheme

 While I'm on the subject of Big Bertha model rockets, I found this image of one built by a ROMAR club member back in the mid 70s.

This model was on a display table at one of the club's shopping center demo launches:

The off-the-wall paint scheme was done by spiral-wrapping a lace floral strip around the body tube and using it as a paint stencil.

Interesting....

Back In The Day, Part 48 - The Homecoming Big Bertha

 The 10^th model rocket in my budding early collection of 1974 was an Estes Big Bertha.  Not just any garden-variety Big Bertha.  This one was built for a very special purpose.

At that time I was a nerdy high school senior, attending a school that placed a lot of emphasis on sports.  Because I was a nerd, and not a jock, I had to find outlets other than sports to express myself in this particular social environment.  In the early 70s, nerds were not held in very high esteem like they are in this day and age.

Anyway, since I didn’t play football, I found a unique way to participate in the school’s upcoming Homecoming activities.

I would fly a model rocket from the field during half-time of the Homecoming football game!

I floated the idea to the student council, and to the school administration, and was given the green light.

It was determined that the perfect rocket for such a demo flight would be the Big Bertha, so I purchased a kit, built it carefully, and painted it in the school colors: dark green and white, with some silver Monokote trim.

On the Big Day, I had the model on the sideline of the football field - prepped, mounted on the launcher, and ready to go.  I was so nervous that I didn’t even pay much attention to the football game in progress.

When the whistle blew marking the end of the contest’s first half, I quickly gathered up the rocket, launcher, and controller, and ran to the center of the field.  It was only a matter of a minute or so until the ignitor leads were hooked up and a continuity check made.  I signaled to the PA announcer that all was go.

He started a countdown from 10 with the crowd of onlookers enthusiastically joining in.

“5….4…3…2…” 

“Please don’t let there be a burn out!” I said to myself…

“1…..”

Holding my breath, I pushed the button.

“WHOOOSH”, the model took off, straight up with the classic slow Big Bertha liftoff.  The B6-4 engine took it to apogee, then “POP” the parachute ejected and blossomed out.

The spectators cheered as the bird floated down under an 18” chute and landed on the field.

Phew!  Mission accomplished!

Sadly, the successful flight of the Bertha painted in school colors was the only bright spot of that Homecoming afternoon.

The Jocks lost the football game….53 to zip !

Following this initial flight, the Bertha was flown many more times at Skywatchers/ROMAR sport meets and public demonstration events.  It became the fleet workhorse for lofting all of my experimental parasite gliders.  

During one of its flights, the motor mount broke loose and was shoved forward, causing the model to prang and crumple the top three inches of the body tube.  The damaged portion was merely cut off, and the model flew many more times in a 'short' version.  All told, the old Big Bertha logged sixteen flights before it was ultimately sold with the rest of my fleet in 1985.

Here are a couple of pics.  I don't have any photos of the model in its original full-length condition.

BAR Fleet #135 - Big Bertha

 

Source:  Scratch-Built Estes Industries Kit #K-23 / #1948

Type: Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  59.3cm (23.35 in.)

Diameter:  42mm (1.64 in.)

Weight Empty:  67.1g (2.37 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Parabolic

Fin Type: Swept

Number of Fins: 4

Color Scheme:  Yellow, White, Black

Black and Red markings

Date Completed:  March 7, 2022

 An Estes Classic

The Big Bertha is one of the longest continuously-produced model rocket kits by Estes Industries.  Designed by Vern Estes, the original Big Bertha was built as a single-engine version of the Astron Ranger three-motor cluster model.

 A Big Bertha model was part of my old fleet dating back to 1974, so the addition of a new one is a must for the present BAR-era stable.  This addition to the collection was constructed using the published plans / instructions of the original K-23 version.  The nose is from a modern Baby Bertha kit and is very close to the original BNC/PNC 60-L nose used in the earlier Big Bertha kits.

The only other additional modification made to this model is an extended-length motor mount stuffer tube.

This being, a classic design, I tried to go fairly ‘retro’ with the color and décor scheme.  All of the decals are home-prints.

I expect to log a number of great flights with this historic, popular Estes design.

 

Rocket Mail !

 Last December I acquired a full sheet of 20 Star Wars Androids commemorative 'Forever' postage stamps (stickers) from the USPS.

One of my numerous other hobbies happens to be stamp collecting. 

 I'm one of those collectors who prefers used stamps over new, unused mint copies, especially if they are still attached to a postmarked envelope.  I've always been of the opinion that stamps that have actually served their purpose and carried letters through the mail-stream are more interesting than those that have not, even though the latter might be a bit more valuable.

Last week, just prior to the March 3rd launch at Dove Valley, I hit on a splendid idea on what to do with some of these Star Wars themed stamps.

I sat down at the computer and created some postcards.  After printing them out, each card was then franked with an Android stamp and addressed to one of the other local rocketeers who was to attend the launch.

On rocket-flying day, the post cards were packed along in the range box and taken to the Dove Valley field. 

When it came time to launch the maiden flight of the Quest Icarus model, the stack of cards was rolled up and inserted into the bird's payload tube to go along for the ride.

Mail Delivery Away !!!

Later, on my way home from the launch session, I found a nearby postal letter drop box, extracted the postcards from the payload tube, straightened them out, and dropped them in.

Here is a scan of one of the cards which I had addressed to myself and received today in my mailbox. This will be added to my 'postal history' cover collection:

I had hoped that the cards would bear the same postmarked date as that of the launch itself, but they were apparently not picked up from that particular mail drop until the following day. 

Nevertheless, I'm sure these cards will make fine little mementos of that particular launch session.

This is by no means a new idea.  I've heard about some rocketeers doing similar activities in the past.

I even have this vintage 1970s AVI Astroport sticker still attached to my old range box:

Cheers!

Launch Date: March 3rd, 2022

"What manner of man are you that can summon fire without flint or tinder?"

                           - King Arthur, Monty Python and The Holy Grail

Why, a model rocketeer, you silly kynge!

On Thursday, March 3rd, six such men made the trek to Dove Valley Regional Park in Denver to enjoy a day of spectacular flying weather resulting from a high-pressure cell parked over the state. The temperature was in the upper sixties with little in the way of wind. This was a far cry from the snow and frigid conditions that have prevailed in the past couple of months, so everyone was quite ready for a rocket-flying fix.

The festivities were begun by Bob Spohn, who sent a Mini Marz Lander aloft for a good flight. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of this one due to my fumble-fingering with the cel phone as the model was being launched.

Bob is a newcomer to our little band, driving all the way down from Longmont, Colorado to participate.

Next up was Lee Reep, hailing from Fort Collins. His first flight was made by a Hex-3 on a Quest Q-jet B6-4.  Unfortunately, the motor experienced a side-blow, damaging the model's motor mount and part of the body shroud.  Will the Hex ever fly again?

Since conditions were sterling for gliders, my first model out of the box was the MPC Lunar Patrol clone. Boosting on a B4-2 motor, the model turned in a perfect flight. Both gliders were successfully recovered after long, slow descents.

When I returned to the launch site with parts of my retrieved model, I witnessed a strange sight:

It was Lee and Bob Spohn prepping a rather strange looking model!

It turned out to be a Halloween-themed odd-roc which Lee called 'Skeletor". Yikes!

The grisly contraption turned in a beautiful flight on an E12-6 motor. Ghoulishly delightful!

Bob Spohn soon had another model ready on the pad.  This was a new Mars 'Leaper' powered by an A10-0T motor.  It turned in a low-altitude flight, landing at an angle which almost stuck one of the landing struts into the Dove Valley turf.

Encouraged by the performance of the Lunar Patrol launch made earlier, I brought out my FlatCat boost/glider. The model boosted straight and high on a B4-2 motor. At ejection, the glider separated and settled into a perfect glide pattern, landing nearby over two minutes later. I made the comment that G. Harry was smiling down on that one!

Bob was soon observed setting up an Estes Interceptor on the launch pad. Flying on a C6-3, the model turned in a very nice flight. Yours Truly photographer failed to get a picture of this one before it was launched.

Dave Bauer got into the action with a pair of rocket-powered jet fighters, a Sunward Maverick based on an F18 and the other a Sunward SU 47 S(ukhoi 47) in Russian decor.  He intended to fly both simultaneously in showdown 'dogfight' fashion. 

It was East against West.  

              Biden vs. Putin....

Both models, powered by D12-5 motors, took off with a roar. It was a beautiful sight to watch the birds soar into the blue on their various trajectories, pop their parachutes, and land safely.

Since both models performed so admirably, the outcome of the 'battle' was un-decided.....

Bob Spohn soon had another model on the pad, this time an Estes Power Patrol. The model flew well on an A8-3, but was returned with a damaged nose.

Jim Gazur had his first model of the day prepped and ready for flight.

Ill let Jim describe the details of this model in his own words:

  "Generic avionics test bed built on a Booster-55 fin unit.  Since the avionics on this bird (PerfectFlite Stratologger CF) have been sorted out, it made a great platform to characterize the Dexter Labs Micro-Hybrid motor.  This motor uses the small Nitrous Oxide chargers used for making whipped cream at home.  It burned 7.1 grams of N2O2 and 1.9 grams of acrylic plastic fuel in about 1.0 seconds with no visible exhaust smoke.  The rocket achieved a maximum velocity of 215 FPS and an apogee of 383 feet.  On two previous flights on D12-5 motors, the same rocket averaged 155 FPS and 530 feet.  So, the Micro-Hybrid is a low- to mid-range "D" motor with a high average thrust.  I plan to characterize it further on the test stand with various fuel choices. "

Liftoff for an impressive, straight-up flight!

With the wind still at a minimum, out came my Orbital Transport. Flying on a B6-4, the model flew straight up, arced over, and separated at ejection. The orbiter settled into a nice, stable glide. All was recovered close by to end a textbook OT flight.

Bob soon had his next model prepped for flight. This was an Estes Prospector carrying a small video camera strapped to the side. The model turned in a nice flight on a B6-4 motor. 

My next bird out of the tote was a Quest Icarus for its maiden launch. The model carried the payload section from the recently-destroyed Big Rage model. The Icarus turned in a perfect flight on a C6-5 motor.

Lee launched a beautiful flight of his 1990s-built Estes Trident on a C6-3 motor.  Picture perfect!

This model is Dave Bauer's Corsair.  The bird turned in a very impressive, high flight on a D12-5 motor, and was returned safely.

Photo by Lee Reep

Bob's next model was a nicely-done Big Bertha carrying a video camera.  Flying on a C6-5, the bird lifted off on a very nice flight. The parachute brought the model down to nearly 'spot-land' on Bob's launcher! 

Bob Spohn carefully readying the video cam for flight

Bob flew the model a second time a bit later as his final flight of the day.

Lee Reep soon had a model with an unusual paint scheme ready to go on the launch pad. He describes the model as a "ghoulish white/yellow/orange hydro dip paint job over grayish-black base color. Another Halloweenish-looking rocket."

Flying on a dual D-motor cluster, the model turned in a spectacular flight!

Glider time again...

Jim Gazur brought out his 1.5 upscale CMR Manta glider for some test flights.  Here is Jim's description of the model and flights:

"Equipped with two-channel radio control flown on early 1970's vintage Centuri B4-2 motors.  While not a very high-performance glider, the Manta is very robust and handles the RC modifications well.  The point of this exercise was to get the vehicle to come back to me instead of me going after it (something to do with advanced age).  I figured the way to demonstrate success was quick turn for a reflight.  I'm declaring victory with five flights in about 15 minutes."

Five glider flights in fifteen minutes.  That's got to be a record!  

Each of the flights was executed very successfully, with Jim demonstrating proficiency at controlling the glide paths.

Lee Reep soon had his own glider ready to go on the pad.  This is a  Jet Freak B/G which Lee says was designed several years ago by an 11-year-old kid!  

The model flew nicely on a B4-2 motor.

Lee flew the model again later on an A8-3 motor.

My next model to be flown was the maiden voyage of a Big Daddy of 1990s vintage. Flying on a D12-3 motor the bird flew straight and surprisingly high. After recovering the model, I found that I had forgotten to insert the orange spacer in the motor mount. Despite the fact that the D motor was recessed an inch inside the tube, the model flew well.

Bob flew another small model, an Emerald Streak.

The model turned in a perfect flight on an A8-3 motor:

Dave Bauer launched a very nice-looking Crossbow SST on a great flight:

My next model to fly was the newly-built Interceptor for its maiden launch.

Bob Spohn had also brought along an Interceptor, so we ended up launching both simultaneously. It was quite a sight to witness both of these birds soaring aloft together.  A C6-5 motor sent my model on a great flight with perfect parachute deployment and recovery.

This is Bob Spohn's Interceptor

It wiggles.....

       It's wacky.....

             What could it possibly be, boys and girls ????

An Estes Wacky Wiggler., of course !!   Flight courtesy of Bob Spohn...

About this time, Fred Cobb had arrived on the field, and soon had his first model prepped.  This was a vintage Estes Alien Explorer.  The tall, exotic model launched on a spectacular C6-3 powered flight!

Speaking of vintage model rockets, Lee Reep brought out his Estes Astron Cobra that he had built about twenty years ago.  Flying on three B4-4 motors, the model turned in a beautiful flight, landing close in to the launch area.  A fine showing by an Estes classic!

Here is Dave Bauer's Photon Disruptor prior to a perfect flight and recovery:

Fred Cobb's next model to fly was a beautifully-done Estes scale Mercury Atlas.  Here is a picture of the prepping process:

...and a spectacular flight:

My seventh and final launch of the day went to a new Nike-X for its maiden flight. Flying on a B6-4 motor, the model turned in a perfect performance, with nearby parachute recovery.

The final flight of the day was put up by Fred.  By now the wind had picked up to about a sustained seven mph.  The model was a vintage Estes Sky Raider.  Fred was a bit apprehensive about flying a D-powered bird in the existing conditions, but went ahead with it nonetheless.

The model flew quite high, popped its parachute and began drifting in a westward direction.  It came down atop an odd sloped-roofed building across the boulevard bordering the park.  We watched as the model slid down the roof and caught on the building's support wall.

Fred Cobb can be seen in the distance walking toward the building on which the Sky Raider ended its flight.

With that done, the intrepid group packed up the gear and left the field to the breeze (and the goose poop).  

Here are a couple of additional random photos I had in my phone:

Lee Reep prepping....something!

A shot of Bob Spohn sun-burning his tonsils!  This was a random frame pulled from one of my flight videos.

Many great flights had taken place this day, with no lost models, no lawn darts, no major recovery system failures, and only one CATO. Only a couple of the models flown suffered minor landing damage.

By, the way, Fred did retrieve his Sky Raider!

There were many blossoming parachutes with most of the flights terminating within just a short distance of the launch area.  One couldn't ask for a better day of model rocket flying.

And no necromantic powers were required.....