Super Vega...opinion

[siderial]

So I decided to do a spring mod to the landing gear...which led me to what you see in the pic, I was messing around with trying to reduce the drag that the pods cause....I haven't made them permanent yet, still undecided on leaving them or not.

[jharding58]

I think they look very nice. In our little corner of aerodynamics we are usually more concerned with cross sectional area. But making the front of the pods less flat will reduce the drag from turbulence. I guess the ideal would be a short elliptical nosecone much like the fairings on the Hydra, but I think what you have there is more consistent with the utilitarian feel of the Vega and Super Vega. Still looks good!

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

I cloned this a couple of year ago and had it shred on the first flight. I think the shred was directly related to the turbulence caused by the flat tops of the pods. I'd definitely go with some kind of cone shape on top of the pods. I also did the initial attachment with gel CA, and from looking at these pics I think that that joint may also have failed. Either way, I think the idea of cutting down the drag is a good idea. :rolleyes:

[siderial]

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said "shredded". I think ill go with rounded though squared does lend look to the utilitarian style of the Vega, I rounded one too see and added a pic of the shock kabobs.

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said "shredded".

Like Christmas in May with balsa snowflakes. :( It was my second big shred. I think the Cosmik Debris happened first, but that was just stupidity on my own part.

[Der Red Max]

Square is more consistent with the utilitarian feel of the Vega?!
What is everyone talking about?
The only Estes Vega I know has elliptical ones:

http://www.qmodeling.com/images/Vega%20-%20Picture%20-%20on%20Launch%20Pad.jpg (http://www.qmodeling.com/QModeling/Prod-Rocket-Vega.htm)
By the way, Qmodeling (http://www.qmodeling.com/QModeling/Prod-Rocket-Vega.htm) has a spring-loaded version

http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/estes74/74est24.jpg

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Square is more consistent with the utilitarian feel of the Vega?!
What is everyone talking about?
The only Estes Vega I know has elliptical ones:

http://www.qmodeling.com/images/Vega%20-%20Picture%20-%20on%20Launch%20Pad.jpg

http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/estes74/74est24.jpg

That's why we call the one we're talking about the Super Vega. ;)
http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/estes92/92est48.html
Note the flat, coneless tops of the pods. :cool:

[mwtoelle]

The Super Vega (2036) is a scale up of the 1979 reissue of the Starship Vega (1320), not the original Citation Version of the Starship Vega (KC-4). The later version has the flat fronts on the landing pods instead of the balsa nose cone used on the original Citation version of the early 1970s.

[STRMan]

Dang it. Now you have me obsessing about that gliding Bomarc.

[Der Red Max]

The Super Vega (2036) is a scale up of the 1979 reissue of the Starship Vega (1320), not the original Citation Version of the Starship Vega (KC-4). The later version has the flat fronts on the landing pods instead of the balsa nose cone used on the original Citation version of the early 1970s.
Doh!:o
Well then for my other question:
Why would you clone/upscale the non-citation version then modify it to look more like the Citation version?
Why not just clone/upscale the Citation version?:confused:

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Doh!:o
Well then for my other question:
Why would you clone/upscale the non-citation version then modify it to look more like the Citation version?
Why not just clone/upscale the Citation version?:confused:
I dunno. My original was a legit Super Vega kit, so I was just going by the instruction sheet and the parts I had left when I rebuilt it. The second clone was just a bunch of scrap tubes and stuff that I gathered up to see how it performed as an E bird. (Entertaining, but a lot of work for one flight. ;) )I never even realized that there was a Starship Vega until I was looking for sources for a nose cone for a Satellite Interceptor clone. :o

[siderial]

Doh!:o
Well then for my other question:
Why would you clone/upscale the non-citation version then modify it to look more like the Citation version?
Why not just clone/upscale the Citation version?:confused:

Seriously, I do not know what any of this means, the last time I was in this hobby was the early eighty's, my 10 year old become interested in the hobby and this is what sparked my recent enthusiasm, as far as the kit, I have the Super Vega or what ever, unless someone is going out of their way to counterfeit old Estes kits it legit, I am just having fun building it, I had no idea of other versions of the rocket, I like the history, but it has no relevance to what I am doing which is enjoying myself and my time with my Son, which in fact,to answer your question with my most limited humble ability, is why I am doing what I am doing, I do appreciate good constructive criticism, Ill take it all, and thank you every time. :D

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Why would you clone/upscale the non-citation version then modify it to look more like the Citation version?

Actually, the pictures in this post would be my reason for changing from the flat top pods to the cones.
http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showpost.php?p=120916&postcount=3
:eek:

[Der Red Max]

...as far as the kit, I have the Super Vega..., I am just having fun building it...My bad sir!
I didn't realize you were looking at ways to reinforce an existing kit.
I thought you were scratch building/cloning one design then modifying it to look more like another.

[jeffyjeep]

The Super Vega (2036) is a scale up of the 1979 reissue of the Starship Vega (1320), not the original Citation Version of the Starship Vega (KC-4). The later version has the flat fronts on the landing pods instead of the balsa nose cone used on the original Citation version of the early 1970s.
This is the #2036. The pods are flat topped but have a gradient decal to give them the illusion of being bevelled(ish.)