05-25-2019, 01:59 AM
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Master Modeler
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 6,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpJet
I personally ignore dares, but I don't own the company I just design stuff for them.
John Boren
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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.
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