Estes Rubicon

[comet79]

I don't know why :) but I decided to build some of the X Prize models by Estes and the D-powered Rubicon is my first one. Wow, this rocket is cool and big!! Here are some pictures...

[Indiana]

Looks good! Any other views?

[Pantherjon]

Cool!:cool: I have a couple of Rubi's in the Kit Cabinet..I am thinking of modding the external tubes to take 13mm plugged motors! THAT would be cool to see!:D

Yours looks nice!

[Peartree]

Cool!:cool: I have a couple of Rubi's in the Kit Cabinet..I am thinking of modding the external tubes to take 13mm plugged motors! THAT would be cool to see!:D

Yours looks nice!


Is that a cabinet where you keep kits or the actual Kit(chen) cabinet? Or both?


Rocket kits in the kitchen. Sheesh.



Are you single or what?:D

[Pantherjon]

Is that a cabinet where you keep kits or the actual Kit(chen) cabinet? Or both?


Rocket kits in the kitchen. Sheesh.



Are you single or what?:D

LMBO! Well, kind of both! It is an old KITchen cabinet in the rocket den/converted garage..And YES I DO have rockets in the kitchen! :D It is where all my HPR rockets go! Gotta feed 'em well!;)

And, yeah, I be single!

[JRThro]

Unless I've totally forgotten about it, I never did buy a Rubicon when they were easy to find. So now that they've been discontinued, I hope one will show up on clearance some time soon at one of the Hobby Lobbies I visit.

[Fred22]

Thas a great looking Rubicon and it looks just as great going up :)
Cheers
fred

[Boosterdude]

I flew my new Rubicon last month on a E28-4, awesome flight. It would also fly great on the E18-4. Both motors are a big improvement over the D12 or E9's. The only modification was to use three fins, and the paint scheme used on the only, unsuccessful, test flight on the real Rubicon. The three fin configuration produced a very stable boost, it's a great flyer.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd96/BoosterDude/EstesRubiconFirstFlight_32209.jpg

[dwmzmm]

My son had a Rubicon (but since he's basically "quit" the hobby, it's mine now :D). It's really a great kit and a nice flyer. In fact, at many of the
NAR Sanctioned Regional meets in our area over the years, the Rubicon has
been a very popular entry for Future Scale/Science Fiction event. Flies great
on the D12 & E9.

[JAL3]

My Rubicon is one of my earlier efforts. It has been a dependable flyer and I launched it a few time of E15s. The one problem I have is the fins keep popping on landing. I think I've tried every known adhesive and still they pop. The nozzles do to a lesser extent.

BTW, yours looks much better than mine!

[Delta-IV]

My Rubicon is one of my earlier efforts. It has been a dependable flyer and I launched it a few time of E15s. The one problem I have is the fins keep popping on landing. I think I've tried every known adhesive and still they pop. The nozzles do to a lesser extent.

BTW, yours looks much better than mine!

I've had the same issue, it's now just part of its nominal refurb between flights.

I strictly use E18's and love that white lightning flame with it. I made mine look more like a Saturn.

[dwmzmm]

I've had the same issue, it's now just part of its nominal refurb between flights.

I strictly use E18's and love that white lightning flame with it. I made mine look more like a Saturn.

Cool!! Looks almost like a Saturn - 1!

[Delta-IV]

I don't know why :) but I decided to build some of the X Prize models by Estes and the D-powered Rubicon is my first one. Wow, this rocket is cool and big!! Here are some pictures...

Awesome paint job!!! watch out for missing fins.


Cool! I have a couple of Rubi's in the Kit Cabinet..I am thinking of modding the external tubes to take 13mm plugged motors! THAT would be cool to see!

Yours looks nice!

I can't wait to see that 7 motor cluster!!!


Cool!! Looks almost like a Saturn - 1!

Thanks, that was my hope, some don't even know its a Rubicon when I put it out on the pad.

[Davidtmp]

Now you guys make me to want to build mine! Nice paint job Delta

[Pantherjon]

I can't wait to see that 7 motor cluster!!!


Same here! I wonder how much nose weight I will have to add?:rolleyes:

So many rockets, not enough TIME!

[comet79]

Awesome paint job!!! watch out for missing fins.

Thanks Delta! Yours also looks great! How did you make the decals?

[Delta-IV]

Thanks Delta! Yours also looks great! How did you make the decals?

I actually use Microsoft Powerpoint to draw the things and paste in logos, flags, etc. that I download off the web. I then print out the wraps using 8.5 X 11 sticker paper that you can buy at Staples, etc.

I have had very good luck doing them on my Delta IV's as well.

[bcanino]

I like the Rubicon too, i guess since it has the Saturn 1b look to it.

The fins and sometime the nozzles pop on landing, but it always at the glue joint and glues back on fine.

[Fred22]

I like the Rubicon too, i guess since it has the Saturn 1b look to it.

The fins and sometime the nozzles pop on landing, but it always at the glue joint and glues back on fine.

Nice pictures and rocket. I agree about the fin popping issue :)
Cheers
fred

[Queeg500]

I have about 8 flights on mine with no damage. I used thick CA for the fins and nozzles. But during the build I used epoxy and everything came off with barely a twist.

[dragon_rider10]

I've been wanting to show this off for a while. I'm a big fan of this kit (not so much the fins tho)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/SvDYF0v3ilI/AAAAAAAACPc/oNzs2qWscNw/s144/Rubicon-John-Bishop-D12-5-A.jpg

[Pem Tech]

I've been wanting to show this off for a while. I'm a big fan of this kit (not so much the fins tho)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/SvDYF0v3ilI/AAAAAAAACPc/oNzs2qWscNw/s144/Rubicon-John-Bishop-D12-5-A.jpg

Hey, the Rubicon looks good in military OD.
Excellent job!
:cool:

[Fred22]

Hey, the Rubicon looks good in military OD.
Excellent job!
:cool:

I agree :)
Cheers
fred

[Rocketcrab]

I agree, that is a really nice take on a scheme for your Rubicon. Great job!! :santa-smile:

[dragon_rider10]

Here's a shot I forgot I had.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/SyUM0VTSHNI/AAAAAAAADJA/bOqpgVVeS-g/s400/100_2292.JPG

[Fred22]

Glad you remembered :) It looks great :)
Cheers
fred

[dragon_rider10]

More photos of this Rubicon have been found in an old camera.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/S43E4sk7ZKI/AAAAAAAAD2k/XN8bXLk7lYE/s400/DSC03677.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/S43FEVVZu5I/AAAAAAAAD3A/vsFiZ9RPhus/s400/DSC03681.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_49kk28Xn-Ho/S43EzpirLtI/AAAAAAAAD2c/1vVndRHaZcc/s400/DSC03676.JPG
Please note there is no safety key in that launch controller.

[dragon_rider10]

Has anyone tried to fly one of these on a 24mm composite? I was considering an E15? I see some records on EMRR with slightly more powerful engines, but was curious if the engine bells would hold up under the exhaust heat.

[JAL3]

Has anyone tried to fly one of these on a 24mm composite? I was considering an E15? I see some records on EMRR with slightly more powerful engines, but was curious if the engine bells would hold up under the exhaust heat.

I've used an E30. The bells didn't melt. They just pop off like with all the other motors.

[raohara]

Unless I've totally forgotten about it, I never did buy a Rubicon when they were easy to find. So now that they've been discontinued, I hope one will show up on clearance some time soon at one of the Hobby Lobbies I visit.
Every now and then I will auction a Rubicon on eBay. My eBay id is bellevuehobby. If you don't like auctions I can do a private sale.

Regards,

Rich

[Rocket86]

I love my Rubicon. It's been a popular flyer in our fleet for several years. The fins popping off is an accepted part of the routine. I take a few clamps and 5 minute epoxy to the launches for multiple flights on any given day. It always turns heads when it goes up. :clap:

[nosecone]

I had some pictures on my hard drive of the real one.

[Rocket86]

Unless I've totally forgotten about it, I never did buy a Rubicon when they were easy to find. So now that they've been discontinued, I hope one will show up on clearance some time soon at one of the Hobby Lobbies I visit.

I just noticed a Rubicon on eBay right now (May 13th). It ends in a few days and as of right now no bidders. Maybe a nice find for somebody.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Estes-RUBICON-Flying-Model-Rocket-Kit-2189-/200471476517?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ead07f925