Estes - Mars Lander (K-43 or #1243) Gallery

[JAL3]

Welcome to the Estes Mars Lander (K-43 or #1243) Gallery on TRF.

This gallery showcases the Estes Mars Lander (K-43 or #1243) and those rockets derived from it. Particularly appropriate in this thread are the following:


Estes: Mars Lander: K-43 or #1243
Tango Papa: 3.9" Mars Lander
Tango Papa: 1.6x Mars Lander
Tango Papa: 2x Mars Lander



as well as any upscales, downscales, clones, kitbashes or other derivative works. Even Goonies qualify!

[JAL3]

Estes Mars Lander (K-43 or #1243) Basic Information.

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/logos/estes.gif Estes Industries

MODEL NAME: Mars Lander Also known as:

NUMBER: K-43 or #1243

Introduced: 1969
Final Year: 1983
Designer: Wayne Kellner

Type: Exotic
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 12"
Diameter: 3.8"
Span: 13.2"
Weight: 3 oz

Mfg. Description: Authentic, forward-looking concept in planetary exploration vehicles. (Estes 1969 Catalog)



Advertising Liveries

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1969%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1969 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1970%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1970 Catalog http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1971%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1971 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1972%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1972 Catalog http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1973%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1973 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1975%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1975 Catalog http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1976%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1976 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1977%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1977 Catalog http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1978%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1978 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1981%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1981 Catalog http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1982%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1982 Catalog

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-1983%20cat%20livery.jpg Estes 1983 Catalog



Face Card(s)




Instruction Header(s)

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/estes-mars%20lander%20k43-instr.jpg



First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews (http://www.rocketreviews.com/mars-lander---estes-1243-k-43-1969-1983.html)
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

[JAL3]

Tango Papa 3.9" Mars Lander Basic Information.

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/logos/tango%20papa%20trf.jpg Tango Papa Decals

MODEL NAME: 3.9" Mars Lander Also known as:

NUMBER:

Introduced:
Final Year:
Designer:

Type: Clone, Downscale
Motor Mount: 1x24mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length:
Diameter:
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description: These kits are made as close as possible to an exact upscale of the original Estes Mars Lander. Changes have been made to improve upon the original design and also to make the Lander a lot stronger.

The design allows for the rear of the Lander to be removed, allowing access to the legs for repairs and replacement.

There are many parts to this kit. It's for someone that's built rockets before - don't buy it for your 10-year-olds first rocket!

Here's some of what's included:
Complete written instructions with photos
Shrouds, tubes, braces, centering rings, launch lug
Nosecone and laser-cut parts (BMS)
Bulkheards, tubes and couplers
Motor retaining system Tom designed to be very small & use the screws that hold the read bulkhead in place
Fabric paint needed for raised detail on the shrouds - nice touch, thanks to Laurie!
Templates, decal sheet, shock cord, kevlar cord and more
Chutes (Recovery Techologies) - optional for all kits (Tango Papa 2006 Web Ad)



Advertising Liveries

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/tango%20papa-3.9%20mars%20lander-2006%20web.jpg 2006 Web Ad



Face Card(s)




Instruction Header(s)







See Also: LINKS
[url=http://archive.rocketreviews.com/reviews/all/tp_mars_lander_39.shtml]EMRR (]First post in this thread featuring this rocket.[/url)
RocketReviews (http://www.rocketreviews.com/mars-lander-39---tango-papa.html)
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

[JAL3]

Tango Papa 1.6x Mars Lander Basic Information.

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/logos/tango%20papa%20trf.jpg Tango Papa Decals

MODEL NAME: 1.6x Mars Lander Also known as:

NUMBER:

Introduced:
Final Year:
Designer:

Type: Upscale
Motor Mount: 1x29mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length:
Diameter:
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description: These kits are made as close as possible to an exact upscale of the original Estes Mars Lander. Changes have been made to improve upon the original design and also to make the Lander a lot stronger.

The design allows for the rear of the Lander to be removed, allowing access to the legs for repairs and replacement.

There are many parts to this kit. It's for someone that's built rockets before - don't buy it for your 10-year-olds first rocket!

Here's some of what's included:
Complete written instructions with photos
Shrouds, tubes, braces, centering rings, launch lug
Nosecone and laser-cut parts (BMS)
Bulkheards, tubes and couplers
Motor retaining system Tom designed to be very small & use the screws that hold the read bulkhead in place
Fabric paint needed for raised detail on the shrouds - nice touch, thanks to Laurie!
Templates, decal sheet, shock cord, kevlar cord and more
Chutes (Recovery Techologies) - optional for all kits (Tango Papa 2006 Web Ad)



Advertising Liveries





Face Card(s)




Instruction Header(s)





First post in this thread featuring this rocket. (http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?17662-Estes-Mars-Lander-%28K-43-or-1243%29-Gallery&p=301038#post301038)

See Also: LINKS
EMRR (http://archive.rocketreviews.com/reviews/all/tp_mars_lander_16.shtml)
RocketReviews (http://www.rocketreviews.com/16x-mars-lander---tango-papa.html)
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

[JAL3]

Tango Papa 2x Mars Lander Basic Information.

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/logos/tango%20papa%20trf.jpg Tango Papa Decals

MODEL NAME: 2x Mars Lander Also known as:

NUMBER:

Introduced:
Final Year:
Designer:

Type: Upscale
Motor Mount: 1x38mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length:
Diameter:
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description: These kits are made as close as possible to an exact upscale of the original Estes Mars Lander. Changes have been made to improve upon the original design and also to make the Lander a lot stronger.

The design allows for the rear of the Lander to be removed, allowing access to the legs for repairs and replacement.

There are many parts to this kit. It's for someone that's built rockets before - don't buy it for your 10-year-olds first rocket!

Here's some of what's included:
Complete written instructions with photos
Shrouds, tubes, braces, centering rings, launch lug
Nosecone and laser-cut parts (BMS)
Bulkheards, tubes and couplers
Motor retaining system Tom designed to be very small & use the screws that hold the read bulkhead in place
Fabric paint needed for raised detail on the shrouds - nice touch, thanks to Laurie!
Templates, decal sheet, shock cord, kevlar cord and more
Chutes (Recovery Techologies) - optional for all kits (Tango Papa 2006 Web Ad)



Advertising Liveries

http://www.rocketryforum.com/images/galleries/liveries/tango%20papa-2x%20mars%20lander-2006%20web.jpg 2006 Web Ad



Face Card(s)




Instruction Header(s)





First post in this thread featuring this rocket. (http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?17662-Estes-Mars-Lander-%28K-43-or-1243%29-Gallery&p=301038#post301038)

See Also: LINKS
EMRR (http://archive.rocketreviews.com/reviews/all/tp_mars_lander_2x.shtml)
RocketReviews (http://www.rocketreviews.com/2x-mars-lander---tango-papa.html)
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

[JoeG]

I had one of the original ones and flew it several times. One of the most successful and long lived rockets of my younger years. After seeing the prices the original kits bring I thought I would just scratch build one. Kind of got carried away as it ended up about a 3X the original. Nose cone by Sandman. Central tube is Loc 5.5" The main tube diameter is about 12". Haven't flown this one yet.

[ColossusRockets]

Hi Joe,

Nice Mars Lander. I have been thinking about upscaling the mars lander for while and it is not easy finding others that have done it. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.

What is the finished weight?
What motor mount did you go with?
Have you added weight to the nosecone?
Are your legs sping loaded like the original, sprung in a new way, or static?
What did you use to make the shrouds?
When do you expect to fly?
(I am sure I will come up with other questions but that's it for now)

Thanks very much, and I look forward to seeing photos of this in flight!

Ben

[MaxQ]

Nicely done...I'd love to build one myself.

Sandman still doing those nose cones?


BTW: is that a Gee bee racer I see in the background?
Hows that fly?

[sandman]

Sandman still doing those nose cones?



How many do you want?

[rdbones]

Hi Joe,

Nice Mars Lander. I have been thinking about upscaling the mars lander for while and it is not easy finding others that have done it. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.

What is the finished weight?
What motor mount did you go with?
Have you added weight to the nosecone?
Are your legs sping loaded like the original, sprung in a new way, or static?
What did you use to make the shrouds?
When do you expect to fly?
(I am sure I will come up with other questions but that's it for now)

Thanks very much, and I look forward to seeing photos of this in flight!

Ben

Depending on how big you want to go you might want to contact Mike at Mad Cow Rocketry (http://www.madcowrocketry.com/servlet/StoreFront)

You can look at the 10X he was involved in by clicking Here (http://www.stoopfamily.com/lander/)

[JoeG]

Haven't been in this thread for a while. Sorry for the delay.

What is the finished weight?

Around 11 pounds less motor.

What motor mount did you go with?

MM is 54MM. Nose cone fits a Loc 5.5 tuibe.

Have you added weight to the nosecone?

Not yet. Still haven't flown it but am sure it will need some.

Are your legs sping loaded like the original, sprung in a new way, or static?

Mounted much the same as the original but using R/C car universal CV joints for hinges and bungee cord for springs.
What did you use to make the shrouds?

I layered poster board with contact cement for the shrounds seems pretty sturdy.

When do you expect to fly?

I had hoped to fly it by now but life gets in the way. Possibly next weekend at TORCFEST in Central Ohio but not sure. The wind has been so strong here that I think it will fly and recover fine but I fear it will be dragged to its death by the chute after landing.

(I am sure I will come up with other questions but that's it for now)

Sorry I took so long to answer.

Thanks very much, and I look forward to seeing photos of this in flight!

You're welcome and ME TOO!!

[alexzogh]

I've been researching a large upscale of the Mars Lander.

Little did I know it's already been done!

Mike Stoop & Andy Woerner did a 10x version in 2003. I thought it should really be memorialized in this gallery.

Link to Mike's build blog: http://www.stoopfamily.com/lander/

Mike, this should be a Madcow kit.


http://www.stoopfamily.com/lander/My_Homepage_Files/Download/mlam.jpg

Video of launch

CzRcHERJ6XA

[jadebox]

x_C3R77Rgfs

Steve Pollack's Upscale Mars Lander


-- Roger

[jadebox]

It's not my rocket, but I'm really proud of this lift-off photo that I captured at a ROCK launch:




http://my.rocketreviews.com/image-2011-08-06-11-14-17-000jpg-600-600-86491.jpg
(http://my.rocketreviews.com/2011-08-06-11-14-17-000jpg.html)


Click on the photo to view it in the RocketReviews.com photo album. Click on the photo there to see the full-resolution version.

-- Roger

[troj]

Here's a Mars Lander that has been around a few years -- I built this when I was 12 or 13, which would make it 1979 - 1980. It's the only rocket I built as a kid that still survives.

The rubber bands are totally shot, thus the yogurt container to hold it up. :)

I also have both of the Tango Papa upscales, but neither one is fully assembled, at the moment. The 1.6x is in need of serious repairs, too.

-Kevin

[Rocketcrab]

x_C3R77Rgfs

Steve Pollack's Upscale Mars Lander


-- Roger

That is GREAT!!!!:D:D

[troj]

Found a photo of my two Tango Papa upscales -- the 2x and the 1.6x.

-Kevin

[Thermo]

Thanks for the memories! I built this one when I was about 12 or 13, proud I had build a "Level 5" difficulty Estes kit....it flew fine, but not very high. I loved this one. :)

[JAL3]

bump for editing

[JoeG]

Well, after a year and a half, I finally got up the courage to fly my 4X Lander that was posted earlier in this thread. It was nearing the end of LDRS XXXI on Monday and we had looked at it for four days and got many compliments on it and finally decided to do it. The wind was a little more than I wanted but what the heck.

Sorry there are no photos here but there were lots of people including the Science Channel shooting video and stills. Maybe something will turn up somewhere.

Launched it on a Aerotech J275 and the boost was perfect. The weight ended up being right at 10 pounds with a little over a pound of weight in the nosecone. I used a short motor ejection trimmed a couple of seconds and recovery timing was right on.

I used a very large parachute for the weight and the Mars Lander drifted further than any of the other four flights I had. Who would have thought I might need a tracker for a Mars Lander? Anyway, we picked it up a couple of corn fields away undamaged and ready for another flight.

[JAL3]

Bump for editing