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  #1  
Old 06-07-2021, 02:47 PM
grafgulch grafgulch is offline
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Default Cloning the Estes Astron Space Plane

Can anyone give me some tips on cloning the Astron Space Plane? I can find most of the parts on BMS website, except the NB-30 nose block.
Is anyone familair with how motor retention works on this kit? It uses a BT-30 body, so a 18mm motor need to be retained somehow. from looking at the plans on The JimZ site. it looks like the root of the wings hold the motor in place? See http://spacemodeling.org/jimz/k-03.htm. I have seen some upscale versions, but I have no interest in an upscale version.

Paul
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  #2  
Old 06-07-2021, 03:19 PM
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5x7 5x7 is offline
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It ejects the motor, which allows the elevons to pop up for glide.
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Old 06-07-2021, 03:38 PM
grafgulch grafgulch is offline
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I understand it ejects the motor, but you have a 18mm motor in a BT-30 tube. Looking at the plans the BT-30 is notched at the aft end and the root edge of the wings holds the motor in place.I assume the motor need some open space around to handle the ejection charge. Is there a better way to do this is my question.
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  #4  
Old 06-08-2021, 08:01 AM
stefanj stefanj is offline
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The plans are complete, if a little complex.

Instead of the nose block, perhaps use 3 balsa discs glued together.

I'm not sure what you mean by motor retention, since the motor pops out on ejection. I think the pressure of the elevons would be enough to keep the motor from falling out on the launch pad, if that is your concern.
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  #5  
Old 06-08-2021, 09:29 AM
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mojo1986 mojo1986 is offline
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You could also use an NB-20 and glue a few wraps of paper on it. If you don't have an NB-20, do you have an old BNC-20 scrap nose cone that you could cut the shoulder off? What's wrong with putting a few wraps of masking tape on the engine to hold it in place until ejection?
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Old 06-08-2021, 12:49 PM
grafgulch grafgulch is offline
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Thanks.. you really have to read these vintage kit instructions carefully to understand how all the pieces fit together.
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  #7  
Old 06-08-2021, 04:51 PM
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georgegassaway georgegassaway is offline
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The BT-30 was stronger than the BT-20. Which is important for a glider that can often hit the ground nose-down in a poor glide throw or the trim is off, crimping/damaging the tube. It was "parallel wound. I do not know if the eRockets/Semroc BT-30 is of similar strength.

If I built one, I'd add a coupler tube into the nose section, starting at least an inch behind the leading edge, and going forward to the point where the nose cone base starts(ends).

Well, I did build a couple, but they were 2X and 4X RC models using 35mm and BT-80 tubes.
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  #8  
Old 06-09-2021, 07:15 PM
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The BT-30 the Semroc supplied in my Mark and Space Plane x-kits is spiral wound, but with a thicker tube wall than than either the Estes BT-20 (0.013”) or Centuri ST-7 (0.020”) equivalents. The Estes Scout that I built in 1984 also had a spiral wound BT-30.

As far as building a Space Plane goes, you definitely need to read and understand the instructions before you start. The Space Plane was one of the most difficult to build kits that Estes released in its early years.
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  #9  
Old 06-14-2021, 11:15 AM
samb samb is offline
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Reading these old plans is a real treat. ( I know, I gotta get out more )

wordy ? <check>
information dense ? <check>
line drawings to die for ? <check>

A far cry from today's international hieroglyphics.
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  #10  
Old 06-14-2021, 01:32 PM
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Earl Earl is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samb
Reading these old plans is a real treat. ( I know, I gotta get out more )

wordy ? <check>
information dense ? <check>
line drawings to die for ? <check>

A far cry from today's international hieroglyphics.


Amen to that brother!

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