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  #21  
Old 11-13-2011, 09:13 PM
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BEC BEC is offline
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I have one of those Alpha II kits - notice also that the motor tube is longer than normal...not sure why they changed the internal arrangement, but if you look at the instructions here: http://estesplans.larocketryforum.c...0alpha%20II.pdf you'll see that not only is the motor tube longer but the shock cord mounts to the motor hook (as we often do with Kevlar these days) rather than using the tri-fold paper mount.
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  #22  
Old 11-14-2011, 12:40 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark II
You've both caught on to my quiz question. To recap: in either the 1979 and 1980 Estes catalogs, how many Alpha models do you count?

I count at least 5 and possibly 6.
  1. Alpha
  2. Alpha III
  3. Maxi Alpha
  4. Maxi Alpha III
  5. K-07B Phantom (Clear Alpha), and possibly
  6. Colossus (stretched Maxi Alpha III)
I briefly considered the Quasar, but decided that the clipped fins kept it out of the family. The Alpha and its kin use oblique trapezoid fins; the Quasar used clipped trapezoid fins. The two shapes are related, but that doesn't make rockets that have either one related. It might be more accurate to call the Quasar an upscaled Mark.


The original Citation version of the Quasar had the 'clipped' fins.

The later Quasar kit used the stock Alpha III fin unit molded in white.

http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/show...ighlight=quasar
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  #23  
Old 11-14-2011, 02:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
The original Citation version of the Quasar had the 'clipped' fins.

The later Quasar kit used the stock Alpha III fin unit molded in white.

http://forums.rocketshoppe.com/show...ighlight=quasar
I am only aware of them from catalog pictures posted online. I have never seen a real one of either version and it is unlikely that I ever will.
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  #24  
Old 11-14-2011, 12:47 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark II
I am only aware of them from catalog pictures posted online. I have never seen a real one of either version and it is unlikely that I ever will.


The white/gray fin/nose cone Quasar kits I saw in at least one hobby shop until the late 1980's (It had been discontinued years before).

What is interesting is that it seems easier to find sealed Citation Quasar models for sale (I bought one at the NARAM-50 auction) today than the white/grey Quasar.

However, it is easier to clone the white/gray Quasar than the chrome Citation Quasar.
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  #25  
Old 11-15-2011, 09:30 AM
bob jablonski bob jablonski is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gus
A bit more info on the Alpha II.

Educator's kit only, never appeared in an Estes catalog.

Only sold in bulk packs, so no header cards.

Differed from the original Alpha in that it had a plastic nosecone (balsa at that time on the Alpha), balsa fins were die-cut (vs. cut-them-yourself with the Alpha) and the body tubes came pre-marked with fin placement lines. The fin lines look like ballpoint pen. Somebody who has access please ask Vern if he build a jig or machine to do that. I can't imagine how labor intensive that must have been to put those lines on the body tubes. And I don't recall ever seeing them on any other Estes kit (although Starlight did this for years).

I have no idea how many years the Alpha II was sold.

Steve

(Pic of the Alpha II below from a listing on eBay)

Tens of thousands of lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes it is a bit extra in labor but alot of folks like it so I kept it.
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  #26  
Old 11-20-2011, 12:39 AM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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I was looking through a box of my old built rockets and found my Citation Quasar model.

A little worse for wear (It's nearly 40 years old).

I decided to take some pictures of it, the Quasar with an original sealed box, the chrome Quasar with my white clone Quasar and a close-up of both fin units and a panel from the box showing the fin unit to end with a point not clipped square.

I hope this will answer some questions.
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Last edited by Initiator001 : 11-20-2011 at 01:49 AM.
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  #27  
Old 11-20-2011, 01:45 AM
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Mark II Mark II is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
I was looking through a box of my old built rockets and found my Citation Quasar model.

A little worse for wear (It's nearly 40 years old).

I decided to take some pictures of it, the Quasar with an original sealed box, the chrome Quasar with my white clone Quasar and a close-up of both fin unit and a panel from the box showing the fin unit to end with a point not clipped square.

I hope this will answer some questions.
Very much appreciated, Bob. Your photos are giving me nostalgia for rockets that for decades I never knew existed and are helping me to create memories that I never had!
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  #28  
Old 11-20-2011, 02:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CPMcGraw
The Quasar fin can is exactly the same unit as the Alpha III, and there is at least one variant of the Quasar that used non-snipped fins. The tips were manually snipped.

Does anyone else get that "Rabbi Tuckman" sensation when reading that last sentence?
I wonder if the original Quasar fins were...prepared in the back seat of a Royal Deluxe II?
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  #29  
Old 11-20-2011, 10:52 AM
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Bob,
Thanks for posting the pictures.
It's interesting that the chrome fin can on the side of the Citation box shows the un-clipped fins.
It's the chromed Alpha fin can with the sharp tips.
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  #30  
Old 11-20-2011, 11:41 AM
dannymrmissile dannymrmissile is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Initiator001
I was looking through a box of my old built rockets and found my Citation Quasar model.

A little worse for wear (It's nearly 40 years old).

I decided to take some pictures of it, the Quasar with an original sealed box, the chrome Quasar with my white clone Quasar and a close-up of both fin units and a panel from the box showing the fin unit to end with a point not clipped square.

I hope this will answer some questions.


Nice. Good to see more vintage kits being posted ! C'mon everyone-POST SOME ! dannymrmissile
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