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-   -   I dare Estes... :-) (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=17919)

blackshire 05-23-2019 12:43 AM

I dare Estes... :-)
 
Hello All,

Now that Estes is offering the new 1:200 scale Apollo-Saturn V (and the 1:100 scale Eagle Lunar Module model that is included with the 50th Anniversary 1:100 scale Saturn V kit), I dare them—a friendly dare, of course—to release another scale model launch vehicle with “matching scale” spacecraft:

An appropriately-scaled model of the Mariner 5 Venus flyby spacecraft, like *this* www.youtube.com/watch?v=udfGEP06kAg “gravity-powered” model (it can be seen here www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPM9q4tvI6g in color, although not moving), would go perfectly with a scale kit of its Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle (see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEOK1vFUELI ), whose Atlas D first stage could use the same parts that were used in the Estes Mercury-Atlas scale model. Also:

Mariner 5’s Atlas-Agena D was very similar to the one that launched Mariner 4 past Mars; Mariner 5 was actually a leftover Mariner 3/4 backup spacecraft, which was modified to travel sunward, past Venus. The most obvious change was to its four solar panels, which were turned around to face backwards and were “half-panels,” since at Venus’ distance from the Sun less solar cell area was needed, while the solar panel tip-mounted cold gas attitude thrusters were retained.

rraeford 05-24-2019 05:31 AM

Oh yeah? Well I double dog dare them!

JumpJet 05-24-2019 11:08 AM

I personally ignore dares, but I don't own the company I just design stuff for them.



John Boren

rraeford 05-24-2019 11:22 AM

I was trying to parody the scene from A Christmas Story. I am not much for dares either having abandoned the idea in my adolescence. I think Estes is doing great thing right now.

ghrocketman 05-24-2019 01:49 PM

Still hoping Estes will bring back the Nike Ajax ( I would buy at least a dozen) and the BT70 based K-21 Gemini Titan.

We keep getting the 1/100 Saturn V back and the Centuri-based Mercury Redstone.

I'd really like the Estes 1/70 Saturn 1B and the K-41 Mercury Redstone back also.

blackshire 05-25-2019 01:59 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpJet
I personally ignore dares, but I don't own the company I just design stuff for them.



John Boren
I used the device of a dare (which I didn't mean as an angry challenge; I wouldn't have included the smiley in the subject title if I did) to foster conversation about the idea. The Atlas-Agena is an historic launch vehicle that lofted many historic spacecraft (Ranger, Mariner, Lunar Orbiter, Vela, OGO, etc.). Also:

Seeing that little model of Mariner 5 at JPL (and seeing the 1:100 scale Lunar Module model that's included with Estes' 1:100 scale Saturn V kit) gave me an idea for scale model rockets in general (which would appeal to static model enthusiasts as well as to flying model enthusiasts). An Atlas-Agena D/Mariner model (both the rocket and the spacecraft model could be customized by the builder to depict either Mariner 4 or Mariner 5) could be the first (after the Saturn V) model rocket kit to do the following:

By including scale models of historic spacecraft with flying scale models of their launch vehicles, a lack in the world of static models--model kits of historic satellites and space probes--would be filled. Candidate U.S. vehicles include the Atlas-Agena B/Ranger (and Mariner 2 and Lunar Orbiter 1 - 5), Atlas-Agena D/Mariner 4/5 (customizable by the builder to depict either probe), Atlas-Centaur/Surveyor (and Mariner 6/7, Mariner 9, Mariner 10, Pioneer 10/11, Pioneer Venus Orbiter, and Pioneer Venus Multiprobe), and Titan IIIE/Viking 1/2 (and Voyager 1/2), among others. The rocket kits could also--optionally--include clear plastic payload fairings for display, with the folded-up spacecraft models inside.

blackshire 05-25-2019 02:25 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by rraeford
I was trying to parody the scene from A Christmas Story. I am not much for dares either having abandoned the idea in my adolescence. I think Estes is doing great thing right now.
I never have actually dared anyone to do anything (a real dare, that is); I just figured that, as a subject title, it would sound more interesting than "I'd Like to See Them Make..." Seeing Estes' growing capabilities (of including the plastic Lunar Module model in their 1:100 scale Saturn V kit), I figured that the "dare" that I posted is--or easily could be--within Estes' capabilities. MPC, back in the day, did much the same thing with their "fly or display" Titan IIIC and Vostok kits (they even included extra, transparent plastic payload fairings for display).

Crimsonvelvetflame 05-25-2019 04:04 AM

My Dare For Estes Current (Skill Level 4) E30-4 Apollo Little Joe ll
 
Since Estes has discontinued their Saturn IV-B. Why not a Super Scale Saturn IV-B, based on the current 24mm E motor powered Estes Apollo Little Joe II O.D. 3.42"tube, capsule, escape tower, etc.? 38mm motor powered, or clustering 29mm motors and should produce a lot of smoke and fire. I still dare to dream.

blackshire 05-25-2019 08:46 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimsonvelvetflame
Since Estes has discontinued their Saturn IV-B. Why not a Super Scale Saturn IV-B, based on the current 24mm E motor powered Estes Apollo Little Joe II O.D. 3.42"tube, capsule, escape tower, etc.? 38mm motor powered, or clustering 29mm motors and should produce a lot of smoke and fire. I still dare to dream.
Do you mean the Saturn IB (the uprated Saturn I, with eight swept-back fins instead of no fins [as with the first four vehicles], or the four large, "barn-door" fins that the later Saturn I vehicles had)? Yes, that would make a big--but impressive--1:45 scale kit! Another possibility (which could be pursued along with your suggestion) would be for Estes to re-issue the Centuri 1:100 scale Saturn IB kit (Centuri had quite a selection of Apollo-Saturn kits--they offered a 1:100 scale Apollo Little Joe II, a 1:100 Saturn IB, a 1:100 Saturn V, and a 1:45 Apollo Little Joe II).

rraeford 05-25-2019 12:30 PM

I would like to think that the 1/100 scale Saturn 1b rerelease is a soon-to-be announced kit. I base this upon the revised shroud from the Saturn V kit that has a shock cord attachment. But I would love to see a large Saturn 1 kit also.


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