Stellar Dimensions Kits
Stellar Dimensions kits on EBay
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These are the original square kits, made with interlocking laser cut plywood. I got two others in a hobby shop in the 90s. Rocket Reviews indicates the company started in 1995. The ones I have are the Xanadune and Sparrow.
The attached pictures are from the listing, I had never seen these four before, Vector, Phalanx, VR.T.GO, and Gyro Romo. The last two pics of the Avenger are from a later listing. |
I recall this company had a brief existence.
I did pick up five or their kits: Spinnaker, Dartan, Vector, Avenger & Xanadune. They're somewhere in the bowels of my collection. |
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:chuckle: I hope they were wrapped in plastic. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: |
Goodness....these came from just over on the other side of the valley from me. And I never heard of them until this thread.
I wonder if Rick Randol (New Way Spacemodels) is aware of them. |
I didn't know they had closed.
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Here's the build of the Xanadune (finish to start) from 2011.
http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.../label/Xanadune These were probably some of the first kits to really take advantage of laser cut parts. Some interesting construction, but as I remember the baffle didn't work very well. Launch report from May, 2011: With an Estes A8-3, it spun on the way up, the fins are canted. At ejection, only the nose cone blew, the tightly packed parachute didn't eject. In that narrow midsection there is little room for a parachute. Take a look at the casing pulled after the flight. Most of the ejection charge blew out the back, down the open corners of the square bodied engine mount. |
I have one of these. Built, never "painted." I think it is the one in the second photo.
It recently resurfaced from my build box. I will give it a much longer shock cord and a little parachute. It would probably fly OK on an A8-3. |
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Stellar Dimensions produced 10 kits in all. The square construction made motor retention somewhat interesting (no standard motor mount tubes included). But the kits were all very inventive and interesting.
Here is a copy of their "Catalog." If anyone knows more info about the company, creator, I'd love to hear it. And note the company motto, "Dare to be Square." Seems that made a comeback, LOL. |
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Hadn't seen the boost glider before. Anyone got plans / patterns they can share? |
Just because something is different, it by NO MEANS makes it worthwhile.
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Thanks for the posting the catalog here!
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I have a different catalog for SDI, I believe it had fewer kits, but not sure if it was earlier or later.
Also have a few of the kits, I believe I bought them at a hobby shop in the mid to later 90’s. I remember a more sci-fi packaging that the kits were connected in a story line somehow. Will try to dig them up when I have a chance... |
I sold a Spinnaker last year on Ebay when I was clearing out vintage kits. It went to a US customer and I got $8 AUD (about $5 US) for it.
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I found out more info about Stellar Dimensions after I started NewWay. I had always wanted to go the way of traditional cardboard tube and nose, just square. Stellar had a patent on making rockets using flat laser cut parts to create a square rocket. The engine hook was a circle with 4 tabs on it that you put at the bottom of the motor and twisted the tabs into slots on the the tube. Not sure what happened exactly but, I believe the guy who started it and had done all the work had health problems. Several years back that guys brother had Stellar Dimensions for sale on eBay. The sale included all the laser cut files, artwork and hundreds of already laser cut parts. I thought since I was doing square tube rockets I should own Stellar as well. I didn’t get it. It sold for $500.00 which was too much for me at that time. So, someone has been sitting on it for years now.
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Do you happen to know the name of the fellow who started Stellar Dimensions? |
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Plans for that and two others are at YORP: https://www.oldrocketplans.com/sdi.htm |
Steve, I did not learn the guys name. Maybe through a patent search? I’m not sure what or how their patent was worded though.
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I don't care about square tube rockets, but some people do. My local tube company makes them all the time and I would cheerfully have some made and ship to someone willing to redistribute them, have laser cut centering rings made, I have plenty of fins and these days printed nose cones might be the way to go.
I don't think anyone cares enough to take me up on my offer. Jerry |
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I posted the question on the NAR site on Facebook and someone pointed me to the Manufacturers page for Stellar Dimensions on Rocket Reviews. Original owner of Stellar Dimensions was Patrick Spence. Apparently he now lives in Minnesota and runs an Alpaca farm. No word yet as to who bought the company. Steve |
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Thought I would share this. Picked up 5 SDI kits on the EBay listing in post #1. Built 3 so far, the Vr-T-Go, Phalanx, and Gyro Nomo (first pic.)
Close-up of the laser etched design on the Vr-T-Go (second pic). Close up of the twist lock teflon ring used as a motor retainer (third pic). My thoughts: Shock cord is way too short. Lug guides, shock cord anchor, and motor mount seem quite fragile. Unique shroud line attachment method seems quite sturdy. Fun builds, I have the Vector and Avenger in my build pile. Will keep me busy during the rest of this lockdown. Update with a pic will be posted upon completion. Stay safe, don't be a Covidiot. |
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