Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Swap Shoppe > Wanted: Dead or Alive!
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #31  
Old 06-21-2020, 04:04 PM
snaquin snaquin is offline
The_Ripper
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 1,941
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
This picture is just freakin' rocket porn.

It was just so COOL to see in December 1987.
Agreed ... That Astrobee 1500 is outstanding!

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
I was thinking it would be fun to clone the Enertek initiator with wood fins and Estes parts, using the AT decal which could be trimmed a little. The drawback is I think the Estes 2.5 inch cone is a bit stubby. It looks like the Enertek 2.0 and 2.5 nosecones were very long.
5x7 the Enertek Initiator clone would be a great project. Very interesting thread.
__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 06-21-2020, 11:10 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
Too Many Initiators is Never Enough
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,394
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
I was thinking it would be fun to clone the Enertek initiator with wood fins and Estes parts, using the AT decal which could be trimmed a little. The drawback is I think the Estes 2.5 inch cone is a bit stubby.


The Enertek Initiator fins are different from the AeroTech Initiator fins.

The AeroTech Initiator fins have more chord and less leading edge sweep.
__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 06-21-2020, 11:16 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
Too Many Initiators is Never Enough
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,394
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
I think the Estes 2” nosecone is 5:1 so is a perfect fit for the Aero and Grand Slam models. The Estes 2.5” is only 4:1 so would be a bit off. I do think it would make a passable Raven though since it has a transition and could be done without custom turning anything. There is an allure about using the 2.5” parts to clone the Emanon and Raven, but going to 2.6 would allow the Aerotech NC to be used which I think is 5:1.


The AeroTech 1.9" and 2.6" diameter nose cones are 5:1 ogives.
__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 06-22-2020, 04:17 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
The AeroTech 1.9" and 2.6" diameter nose cones are 5:1 ogives.


This is really interesting, thanks!

Do you know if molds were made for the 2.0 and 2.5" nosecones?

Can you post a scan of the Enertek initiator fin?

I would love to read the Enertek info you displayed at ORR, do you still have it?
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 06-23-2020, 11:47 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
Too Many Initiators is Never Enough
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,394
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
This is really interesting, thanks!

Do you know if molds were made for the 2.0 and 2.5" nosecones?

Can you post a scan of the Enertek initiator fin?

I would love to read the Enertek info you displayed at ORR, do you still have it?


There were never any molds made for the Enertek nose cones. They would have been blow-molded.

The only Enertek molds ever made were some prototype compression molds for the 24mm and 30 mm motor cases. The Mantis launch pad mold was well underway when the company folded. Over $100K was poured into making the Mantis mold and it would take thousands of more dollars by AeroTech to get it to work.

The Enertek fin drawings are packed away somewhere in all my stuff.

My friend Marc McReynolds had the Enertek display at the NARAM-41 ORR.
__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 06-24-2020, 05:54 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
There were never any molds made for the Enertek nose cones. They would have been blow-molded.

The only Enertek molds ever made were some prototype compression molds for the 24mm and 30 mm motor cases. The Mantis launch pad mold was well underway when the company folded. Over $100K was poured into making the Mantis mold and it would take thousands of more dollars by AeroTech to get it to work.

The Enertek fin drawings are packed away somewhere in all my stuff.

My friend Marc McReynolds had the Enertek display at the NARAM-41 ORR.


Fascinating! It's amazing how much molds cost to make and It's so cool the Mantis survives to this day. Gary recently posted it's molded in stronger plastic today. I used mine the weekend before last, the first time it was used since the mid 90s. I visited Aerotech in Las Vegas in 1996 and bought a replacement swing arm for it. Thanks again for all the info, it's great to get a window into the drivers behind some of the great rocketry products that changed the hobby back then.
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 06-25-2020, 01:05 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
Too Many Initiators is Never Enough
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,394
Default

For those who are interested in the history of Enertek, there is a thread on that 'other' forum which I posted a history of the company years ago:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/enertek.77904/

Note: When changes were made to that platform my pictures became mixed up and are not necessarily in their correct post.
__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 06-25-2020, 03:16 PM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Thanks for pointing that out, wonderful! Sadly it appears all but three of the pictures in that thread are gone. I have noticed many (most?) of the threads brought in from the archive lost the pics.

Last edited by 5x7 : 06-26-2020 at 08:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 09-10-2020, 12:04 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
Too Many Initiators is Never Enough
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,394
Default Enertek Initiator Fin

Attached is the actual drawing of the ENERTEK Initiator fin pattern.

If you wish to clone the Enertek Initiator the following information will be useful:

Body Tube: 2.5" O.D. x 24"

Nose cone: 5:1 ogive

Motor mount: 30mm I.D. (You will have slightly increase the fin tab depth for use with a 29mm motor tube

Install recovery system of your choice.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Fin Pattern - Initiator.PDF (486.4 KB, 50 views)
__________________
Bob
S.A.M. # 0014
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 09-10-2020, 06:33 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
Attached is the actual drawing of the ENERTEK Initiator fin pattern.

If you wish to clone the Enertek Initiator the following information will be useful:

Body Tube: 2.5" O.D. x 24"

Nose cone: 5:1 ogive

Motor mount: 30mm I.D. (You will have slightly increase the fin tab depth for use with a 29mm motor tube

Install recovery system of your choice.


Very nice, thank you!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:09 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024