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Estes Star Wars Maxi X-Wing Fighter #1302
Estes Star Wars Maxi X-Wing Fighter #1302
The plans were posted not too long ago. Now I want one. Anyone have one that they want to part with?
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If it flies, I can crash it! |
#2
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If you try to fly it, jump straight to a 24mm E motor at least for power. This model on an Estes D12 was a ‘lob’ at the best and would get just about high enough to crash. Not enough altitude to really get the chutes out good. Also, the chute tube (which was the 24mm motor tube) made it hard to really hold the chutes and get them out reliably when they did eject.
Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#3
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Yes, a D12 is waaay under-powered. There was a modeler in a section I flew with who kept using D12s and having to rebuild it after every flight. He tried an E10 but the thrust drop-off was too much and it crashed (again). He finally tried an E28 and that worked great!
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Bob S.A.M. # 0014 |
#4
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An E28 (RMS 24) or E30 (SU) is a good minimum for the Maxi-X-Wing as well as for ALL the other Estes Maxi-Brutes (Saturn V, K-29 Saturn 1B, Honest John, V2, Pershing 1A, Maxi Alpha, Maxi Alpha 3, and Colossus). This however requires reinforcing of the fins on the Maxi-Alpha-3 and Colossus. Without that, they have their fins "rip" off at about 200'. The fin-attachment method on those two is AWFUL for anything more than a D12. Had it happen even with a lowly Composite Dynamics E20 in 1991 on a MA3. Ripped the fins KLEEN-OFF at 200'. The rocket continued to fly straight to Apogee WITHOUT FINS, but there was zero wind.
The only "Maxi Brutes" not needing a Composite "E" minimum for reasonable flight are the Maxi-Streak and Maxi-Icarus.
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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC ! |
#5
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Sounds like a job for the new Quest E26...
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Bob Portnell, Sparks, Nevada NAR #87762, NARTREK Silver, Not an actual Silver Snoopy awardee "Flying Like It's 1980" |
#6
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The old Composite Dynamics E20 had a LARGE kick off the pad and was regressive.
Much different animal than the much later Aerotech E20.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC ! |
#7
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It really is kind of disappointing that Estes would release a kit that, when flown on the recommended D12 motor, performed so poorly. Now, there are many other motor options that could be recommended compared to late 1977/early 1978 when that model was issued. But back then, the D12 would have been what most potential customers would have had access to. I only bought the kit in the fall of '80 when Estes was selling off its Star Wars stuff at rock-bottom prices. Even though "The Empire Strikes Back" had been released just that summer I guess Estes' license to sell the kits was about to expire. I got the Maxi X-Wing and the X-Wing Starter Set (I wanted a Big Foot launcher out of the set) for very good prices. At the time I did not own any of the Maxi Brute kits and thought it was a good price to jump in at. Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#8
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There were several Composite engines around in the late 70's if one knew where to look.
Composite Dynamics had 24mm E20, F40, and the 29mm F45. The Enerjet E24, F52, and F67 were still plentiful in my area. FSI had the fairly reliable BP D18 and D20. Crown had several offerings as well. Good hobby shops carried all of them. Toy stores like Ben Franklin, Kay Bee Toys, and Circus World carried NONE.
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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC ! |
#9
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Granted, but, as you say “If one knew where to look”. I knew those were around and if one had been in the hobby for a bit, others would know too. But, for the less involved modeler one might have been at a loss. Plus (and my main point), the kit just did not perform, flightwise, worth a darn on its ‘recommended’ motor. That, to me, is a just not good practice: to release a kit that just really “did not work” when flown as recommened. Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#10
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Totally agree, Earl.
Lousy practice to release a kit that doesn't perform adequately on the suggested motors. Quite frankly, I find that beyond IDIOTIC !
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC ! |
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