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  #1  
Old 09-02-2019, 08:56 PM
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5x7 5x7 is offline
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Default Estes Cadet Hobby Lobby Exclusive

I have a bunch of rockets in primer had about an hour while everyone was out back to school shopping. I picked the Cadet because it would be a fast build and it had a bold decor. It has the Crossfire/BBIII nosecone and the fin unit from the Skylofter, a four fin swept unit that seems really sturdy. Everything but the tube is nice in the kit. The BT-50 tube seems really thin and the seams show on the color overwrap. It unfortunate to go to all the effort and have a tube that won’t last and won’t hold up to launches and landings. Beware to get the upper launch lug ring in the position on the instructions or more aft or the decals can’t be done like the facecard. Somehow I got it too far forward so the upper ring decal was placed lower. The decals grip like thin ca, I used some water and a drop of soap but there is no repositioning them. You’ll see in the picture I friction fit the tail cone for show, the coupler had to be cut short to get it to fit. That will be removed for flight. The nosecone is unpainted, from my experience it will get stained and discolored as it’s just the standard part. If you want something fast this is fine, but I believe the tube won’t last.
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Last edited by 5x7 : 09-03-2019 at 08:17 AM.
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  #2  
Old 09-04-2019, 11:57 PM
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I didn't realize that one actually used the nozzle part as well as the nose cone - it doesn't show up on the face card art very well. I may have to get me one of those after all when I go in to get a Solo (and maybe Cherokee E or ESAM).
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  #3  
Old 09-05-2019, 06:08 AM
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You are right, instructions call for the nozzle to be cut off and discarded. The nozzle won’t fit unless a little more than an 1/8” is removed from the shoulder, and if it’s glued in, the motor can’t be installed. I trimmed the shoulder and friction fit it for show. You can install the motor then the nozzle but I think it would melt because the end of the motor is about even with the end of the nozzle.
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Old 09-05-2019, 08:07 AM
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I looked at one of these at Hobby Lobby yesterday.
Tube looked really "cheesy"/flimsy.

I would fly it WITH the nozzle installed by friction-fitting the motor.
Used to do that with my old Satellite Interceptor, which also used this cone/nozzle.
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  #5  
Old 09-05-2019, 09:38 AM
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A few days back I assembled the new SOLO kit.
The BT-55 (pre-colored) tube is very robust, thick like a normal 55 sized tube.
I haven't purchased any of the smaller (BT-20 or 50 sized) Hobby Lobby kits
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  #6  
Old 09-05-2019, 01:45 PM
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I'll bet it is BT-56.


Quote:
Originally Posted by hcmbanjo
A few days back I assembled the new SOLO kit.
The BT-55 (pre-colored) tube is very robust, thick like a normal 55 sized tube.
I haven't purchased any of the smaller (BT-20 or 50 sized) Hobby Lobby kits
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  #7  
Old 09-05-2019, 01:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shreadvector
I'll bet it is BT-56.

Yep. Looks like an Eliminator/Maniac tube and NC.
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  #8  
Old 09-05-2019, 11:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
Yep. Looks like an Eliminator/Maniac tube and NC.


I just checked, the SOLO body tube fits a BT-55 sized nose cone.
The face card says the diameter is 1.33".
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  #9  
Old 09-06-2019, 12:23 AM
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The Solo and Double Ringer both use the BT-55 tube.


John Boren
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  #10  
Old 09-06-2019, 06:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpJet
The Solo and Double Ringer both use the BT-55 tube.


John Boren


It’s also an injection molded nosecone with a base that’s glued on.
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