Faster Than A Mosquito On An A10 !!!

 That's how fleeting 2021 seemed to have flown by.

Happy New Year to all of you and yours.

Here's wishing you a blessed and prosperous 2022.

Keep em' Fliying !

BAR Fleet #140 - Big Daddy

 

Source:  Estes Industries Kit #2162

Type: Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 24mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  50.5cm (19.9 in.)

Diameter:  76mm (3 in.)

Weight Empty:  177.5g (6.26 oz.)

Nose Cone: Tangent Ogive

Fin Type: Swept

Number of Fins: 3

Color Scheme:  Black, Yellow, Red

Date Completed:  December 30, 2021

 A Large Diameter Sport Flier

 The Estes Big Daddy is a large, impressive model rocket designed to fly on 24mm D and E motors. 

This kit was given to me by a Colorado Springs friend in 2020.  The kit harks back to the late 1990s, hence the older style decal scheme.

As part of the 2021 Model Binge-Build, the model was a very fun, straight-forward project, featuring through-the-wall balsa fins, and a large plastic molded nose cone.

 This one promises to be a very good higher powered model suitable for smaller flying fields, due to the peak altitude being limited by the larger diameter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

 To all of you and your families!

BAR Fleet #138 - Crossfire ISX

 Source:  Estes Industries Kit #7220

Type: Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  39.6cm (15.6 in.)

Diameter:  25mm (.98 in.)

Weight Empty:  35.2g (1.24 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Conical

Number of Fins: 3

Color Scheme:  White, Silver, Black

Date Completed:  December 24, 2021

An Attractive Sport Model

The Estes Crossfire ISX is one of those model rockets that just has that 'cool' look about it.

Perhaps it has something to do with the sleek 'sounding rocket' nose cone and the added tabs on the fins. Whatever it is, I made the determination to have one in the fleet, despite it being a relatively simple 3FNC bird.

The only variation with this model from the face card illustration is that I went with a metallic silver paint treatment on the nose cone and nozzle shroud.

I am anticipating good times at the launch field with this great-looking model.

BAR Fleet #137 - Cherokee-Icarus

 

Sources: Quest Aerospace #1010, #2006,

Estes Industries #2408

Type: Payload model

Stages: Two

Engine Types: 24mm, 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  95.8cm (37.7 in.)

Diameter:  35mm (1.38 in.)

Weight Empty:  122.6g (4.32 oz.)

Upper Stage:

Length: 56.3cm (22.2 in.)

Weight Empty: 63.8g (2.25 oz.)

Booster Stage:

Length: 17.8cm (7.0 in.)

Weight: 40g (1.4 oz.)

Payload Section:

Length:  21.7cm (8.5 in.)

Weight: 18.8g  (.66 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Tangent Ogive, 3 caliber

Fin Type: Raked

Number of Fins: 3 per stage

Color Scheme:  White, black, markings: blue, black

Date Completed:  December 22, 2021

A 'Franken-Rocket' For The Fleet

This model is made up of parts and pieces from three kits: a Quest Icarus, a Quest Big Rage, and an Estes Cherokee-E.

The Icarus (kit #1010) was introduced in 1994. This one is built mostly to stock and flies on an 18mm motor.

The booster stage is made from the body tube that was originally intended as the Icarus' Payload section.  A spare Estes Cherokee-E kit provided the 24mm motor mount, fins, and decal set. The fins were mounted upside down to more closely match the planform of the Icarus upper stage. These booster fins were papered for added strength, and balsa wood gussets were glued along the root joints.  The motor mount was built to accommodate Estes E12-0 motors.

The model's payload section comes from a Quest Big Rage, which met its demise on a December 2nd, 2021 flight.

The Cherokee-Icarus is intended to be the new workhorse booster for 808 camera flights. In two-stage configuration, it will be capable of lofting the camera on higher altitude flights at larger flying fields or in windless conditions.

Here are more detail pics:

BAR Fleet #134 - Interceptor

 Source:  Estes Industries Kit #1250

Type: Futuristic Sport Model

 Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

 Length:  65.7cm (25.9 in.)

Diameter:  33.7mm (1.325 in.)

Weight Empty:  91.6g (3.23 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Molded Spacecraft Style

Fin Type: Multiple

Number of Fins: 6

 Color Scheme:  White, orange, metallic silver with multicolor markings

 Date Completed:  December 21, 2021

A Dazzling Model Rocket

The Estes Interceptor is one of the most iconic classics to be produced by the company.

Designed by Wayne Kellner, the original K-50 Interceptor was introduced in 1971 and was produced through 1980.  A newer updated version, (Kit 1250) was introduced in 2007 and went out of production in 2011.

My model is the 2019 re-release of the kit, still numbered 1250. It is still such a pleasing futuristic design, and the extensive set of decals makes it really stand out on the display shelf.  It just has major 'cool' factor!

This model was built without any modifications from stock other than it was given a matte flat finish. 

If I were to build another of these birds, the canopy window might also be done differently.  The kit decal requires the feature to be placed on a tight multi-curved surface, making it quite difficult to position without the risk of damaging it.  The cockpit windows might be better hand-painted following the mold lines of the nose section.

I never got around to building an Interceptor back in the old fleet days, so this one is a joy to finally have in the current rocket stable.

Binge Build: A Plethora of Painted Projects, Day 4

 More warm temperatures and light wind conditions here in Colorado made for yet another ideal outdoor painting session.

Today's targets:  the ESAM-58 and Crossfire ISX received their base color coats of gray and white, respectively.

The Big Daddy rocket section also received its primary gloss black treatment. 

The Icarus and its booster stage each were given a wide black band.

In addition, the Interceptor model was brought outside to be shot with a coat of matte clear.

I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting all of these babies completed through the painting process.

Moving on.....