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Old 07-28-2020, 04:01 PM
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SEL SEL is offline
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Default Estes Astron Invader vs. BMS

Got around to opening the BMS release of the Estes Astron Invader that's been kicking around since they came out and while waiting for the 'pie-plate' assembly to dry noticed that the original used BFS-20 (1/16'') balsa for the plate and pylons and 1/8'' for the rudders and skid. The BMS uses 1/8'' for the plate and 3/16'' for the rest. Anyone know why BMS made the change?
It's going to be a lot heavier than the Estes version.
Only obvious reason I can see is that with the Estes copy of the instructions from JimZ's site there is a NOVAAR Free Press article that mistakenly calls out for the thicker balsa. It's possible that BMS didn't look up BFS-20/40 in an old Estes catalogue and took the NOVAAR piece at its word.
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Old 07-28-2020, 06:05 PM
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The 1/8" plate is a LOT less likely to WARP than the 1/16"
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Old 07-28-2020, 06:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghrocketman
The 1/8" plate is a LOT less likely to WARP than the 1/16"

I thought spaceships were supposed to go WARP?

But, GH is right. The 1/8" stuff is easier to work with and more forgiving after it is built. Also, when the Astron Invader became available, weight (or lack of it) was a little more important. The largest motors at the time were B3's and B.8's, but the longer burning B.8 was the recommended motor.

Edit: I checked and the C.8-0 booster was out by then, but no regular motors that size.
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Old 07-28-2020, 07:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
I thought spaceships were supposed to go WARP?

But, GH is right. The 1/8" stuff is easier to work with and more forgiving after it is built. Also, when the Astron Invader became available, weight (or lack of it) was a little more important. The largest motors at the time were B3's and B.8's, but the longer burning B.8 was the recommended motor.

Edit: I checked and the C.8-0 booster was out by then, but no regular motors that size.



Still, the 90 degree angle of the grain at the joint along with the 2 rudders running the length of the plate should help keep warping to a minimum. I guess I'll have to build one of each and take them out for a test drive. More to follow.
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Old 07-28-2020, 07:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SEL
Still, the 90 degree angle of the grain at the joint along with the 2 rudders running the length of the plate should help keep warping to a minimum. I guess I'll have to build one of each and take them out for a test drive. More to follow.

The 1/8" material is less likely to be damaged, both during shipping and for flights. It might help with flutter too, if that was ever an issue.

If you used heavy balsa, the 1/8" will probably be a dog. If you used good light weight near contest grade balsa, I bet it will give the 1/16" version a run for its money.
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Old 07-29-2020, 05:08 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
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I "flew" my BMS version a few years ago at a WSR launch. I was asked not to bring it back. It was awful. The clone I built fifteen years ago produced something akin to a glide, but the BMS one just looped and plowed into the ground.
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Old 07-29-2020, 07:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum
I "flew" my BMS version a few years ago at a WSR launch. I was asked not to bring it back. It was awful. The clone I built fifteen years ago produced something akin to a glide, but the BMS one just looped and plowed into the ground.


Mine, too.
After 3 power prangs, after readjusting engine angle, etc, I retired mine.

As Bill said, it flew like a dog. A little smelly anklebiter dog at that!

Allen
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Old 07-29-2020, 08:53 AM
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There is a good reason it was only available for one catalog year. I'd bet the Invader was plummeting to the ground faster than its sales numbers in 1966. I doubt 1/16" balsa will improve things much.
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Old 07-29-2020, 10:21 AM
L3Excalibur L3Excalibur is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SEL
Got around to opening the BMS release of the Estes Astron Invader that's been kicking around since they came out and while waiting for the 'pie-plate' assembly to dry noticed that the original used BFS-20 (1/16'') balsa for the plate and pylons and 1/8'' for the rudders and skid. The BMS uses 1/8'' for the plate and 3/16'' for the rest. Anyone know why BMS made the change?

I asked Bill S. about that a while back and he replied that he just got the thickness wrong. I think he only ran a single batch of that kit and isn't likely to do another. He said if he ever did he would change to the correct balsa thickness. :-)
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  #10  
Old 07-29-2020, 02:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum
I was asked not to bring it back.


Maybe a top ten funniest thing I've ever read.
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