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  #1  
Old 12-27-2019, 01:31 PM
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Default Estes Destination Mars Lander kit

I see the new Destination Mars kit is available now. Anyone have one yet?
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  #2  
Old 12-27-2019, 02:32 PM
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Jeff,

Do you mean the MAV? Yes, I ordered in an AC Supply order that arrived Tuesday. I actually expect I'll be putting it together (it's a pretty quick one) sometime in the next few days. I was going to post an assembly thread when I do.
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Old 12-30-2019, 10:11 PM
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Default Assembly pictures

As I mentioned above, calling it a “build thread” would be a bit of an overstatement.

The MAV uses the three-fin version of the BT-60 ARF fin can (but you have to glue the halves together). The fins/legs slot in as any of the fins which fit this interface do, from the ARFs, the Mix-N-Match kits, and others. The body tube is pre-wrapped with all the graphics, the two-loop launch lug and shock cord are pre-installed.

That shock cord, by the way, has a 32 inch exposed length.

The nose cone, which somewhat suggests a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, has a quantity of clay pressed into its tip so that it weighs 1.04 ounces by itself.

Assembly starts with gluing the fin can halves together. I used Testors liquid cement for plastic models for this (in the square-ish bottle). The instructions then have you slot in the fins and glue them in place. I opted to just slide them in. The motor retainer holds them in place as it does on the ARFs....so they can easily be removed for transport.

Then the fin can is glued to the body tube. I used Beacon Foam-Tac for that joint as I have it, and there’s been some discussion about Fabri-Tac and this is as close as I have.

After that, it’s put some additional graphics in the form of stickers on the fin can, tie the shock cord to the nose cone and install the ‘chute. I added a swivel as I always do.

That’s really all there is to it. All-up weight sans motor and wadding is 3.14 ounces, giving a flying weight just over 4 ounces on the recommended Estes C6-3.

First two pictures—the kit. Next is the parts out of the bags. Then a view of the nose cone showing the clay and of the fin can before assembly showing how the motor fits and is retained.

Next, the launch lug, then the stickers on the fin can, then a view showing the nose cone weight and adhesives. Finally, the finished product.

The fins, by the way, are nicely airfoiled, but with the leg links behind them, the drag reduction of the airfoils is likely lost.
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Last edited by BEC : 12-30-2019 at 11:37 PM.
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Old 12-30-2019, 10:48 PM
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The effort required must have been brutal! Glad you were able to power through.
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:34 PM
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I’m still trying to decide where to hide some static ports so I can get some real altitude data. The prediction is 250 feet on a C6-3 which I think is probably a little pessimistic, actually, unless the drag of those round landing gear struts is really bad.

I was hoping to fly it (and other models) on New Years Day (I’ve gone flying on 1/1 several recent years) but it looks like it’s just going to be too rainy this year to do that. Oh well. As you say, I did manage to power through the grueling build anyway.....
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Old 12-31-2019, 12:25 AM
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Looks like a fun kit. Wondering if a coupler & some BT-60 could be used to extend its length and or make it into a 2 stager ????
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Old 12-31-2019, 12:43 AM
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Well, actually, since it uses some of the same parts as the Estes ARFs of the last few years, the Booster-60 would physically work. Now whether or not that would be stable is another thing altogether.....
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Old 12-31-2019, 06:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
Well, actually, since it uses some of the same parts as the Estes ARFs of the last few years, the Booster-60 would physically work. Now whether or not that would be stable is another thing altogether.....


Great idea!
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Old 12-31-2019, 07:00 AM
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Already thinking about how to adapt a piece of ST-7 for a motor mount in there.
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Old 12-31-2019, 04:14 PM
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Bernard,
With the details on the tube, drilling ports for your altimeter shouldn’t stand out much, if at all.

The picture of the wrap, showing the launch lug, also lists the copyright and “Made in China” marking. I’m thinking I’ll use a black Sharpie to add some highlights.

I tempted to get two. Build one “stock”, and build one and give it a uniform paint job, probably light aircraft gray) with some simple decals, sort of like a Mars Lander.

Not quite the same, but I did this to my Outlander (I just didn’t like the facecard scheme). I also added some styrene detailing.
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