Newbie here a lot of question! Lol

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Super65

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Hello all I guess a little intro is in order, I'm Marty from Feasterville Lower Bucks county, PA, anyone else? Or near? I've been built Estes Rockets as a kid and now that my son is of age, he's into it after we saw a guy fly his at a local park. So now are journey begins. It's pretty awesome to see your son have the same fire in his eyes. As I did. I think it's important to show him how to build things models, rubber band airplanes and not just sit in front of a video screen. Best part is he loves it and is pretty good at it we just finished the Der Red Max. One of my favs. also on the bench right now we have a Photon Probe, a Hornet, Monarch, Big Bertha, been trying to find some old classics like a Astron Sprint, Intercepter, mean machine, the mark 2, alpha.

Years ago I bought a Tango Papa Mars Lander, the 3.9 kit, never got built, but now it's time to build it with my son! I've look on the Internet for more info called TPD emailed tom nothing! Saw some pics on the net but it the big verision I'm stuck! Got the landing gear done trying to move o to the next step but the instruction are a nightmare, anyone here build it the 3.9 ? Got any pics of your build you can send me or tips anything ? Would be great at this point ! Can email me at [email protected]

now that the fire lit lol again! Where's a good place to buy tubes? Balsa wood nose cones? Wanna make some of the old kits I had as a kid ! eBay kinda expensive single dad here man I wish I still had my old rockets. I hope someone can help me and my son! Thanks from Marty and Shawn
 
Honestly, Hobbylinc is a great source for motors and kits at good prices, but as a source of parts, they're a bit limited. Certainly not the best. I would suggest https://www.balsamachining.com/ and erockets.biz for parts, depending on what you need. Both offer tubes and a variety of balsa cones. eRockets has the old Semroc line, so they actually have a much wider range of sizes and styles, however the layout of their site and the navigation of it leaves a bit to be desired...
 
Thank you there's a lot of good info here on the forum ! I'm hoping some will chimes in on the Mars lander!
 
Hobbies in gen and hobby shops are becoing harder to find! At least around here in Philadelphia , Everything's online, I have no video game in my house, you don't even need a imagination anymore to build with Legos :(, but now my son gets it! And it puts a smile on my face!
 
Welcome Marty and Shawn.

Haven't built a Lander myself but here are some resources that may help:

https://www.rocketreviews.com/tango-papa-mars-lander-39--by-tim-doll.html

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.models.rockets/lLLbMfTUNKs

https://www.rocketryforum.com/search.php?searchid=4834155


In addition to eRockets and BMS, I have used these fine vendors:

BRSHobbies: https://www.brshobbies.com/store.php/BRSHobbies/ct198240/model_rocket_parts

ASP: https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecommerce/Model Rocket Parts & Building Materials.cfm?cat_id=7


[edit] Almost forgot, club launches are cool ! https://www.para520.com/

Sam - Norristown High class of '75
 
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Love it man! I'm still learning how to navigate this forum lol and add some pics
 
You are about 2 to 2.5 hours from MDRA (depending on traffic and tolls). Any chance you can make it down on Saturday? We start at noon and go till about 5:00. Sundays they start at 9:00, but I'll be in church.
 
I should say more than what I said before. First of all, welcome! This is gonna be a blast.

Consider joining a NAR or Tripoli club - whichever is closest to you. Some clubs belong to both organizations. Either way, it's a great way to see lots of rockets launch in a day and have a good place to fly, as well as a way to make new friends.

Also, I'm gonna make a prediction: Now that you have a kid who's into rockets, you're going to get way into rockets! Things have gotten really exciting lately. Tons of model rockets, and high power stuff. I just got into this two years ago, and I had no idea that this whole community existed. It has added so much to my life, and you guys are going to love it.
 
@JJSR hello just wondering if i wanna scratch build lets say a estes interceptor, when you print the plans are the fin templetes marking guides scale to the ture orig model? or do i have to fuss with the printing?
 
Try "THIS" for marking tubes for fins.
I have several sets, all came with rescues from ebay pretty cheap. They come handy for lots of stuff.
I have some how managed to get several of "THESE" as well. They are not bullet proof, but are a good aid.
I picked up a lot of stuff pretty cheap by watching ebay, especially certain items that don't sell.
Contact the seller and make an reasonable offer and they usually take it.
"HERE" is an example of things to look for.
"THIS" is another example. This one because it has the older, more ridgid launch pad, thicker deflector plate with a roll pin, not the plastic insert that melts.
They are getting harder to come by.
"HERE" is a good deal. I paid $30 for exactly like this one at a big box store for my son few years back.
"THIS" one is doesn't come up often. 2 things in this one. 1st, it's a shuttle, and it's a starter kit. 2nd, it has the original launch pad. Take note of the oval openings in the legs. Very ridgid! I might have to go after this one myself! This also has the better blast deflector set up.
On ebay, to to Toys, Models and kits, Rocketry. On the left side, click on used to filter out all the new stuff. You'll be amazed at the deal you can find.
Some times you can come across a mess of pre built rockets cheap for parts, salvage, fin templates, etc. Some can be collectable and worth rebuilding or dupping.
Wish all the luck with your son, rocketry has been in my blood for over 45 years.
 
@JJSR hello just wondering if i wanna scratch build lets say a estes interceptor, when you print the plans are the fin templetes marking guides scale to the ture orig model? or do i have to fuss with the printing?

Each one will be different since they are uploaded by different people.
What I have done is try to cross reference the ones I'd like to build with other sources like https://www.rocketreviews.com/rocksim-library.html for sizes of BT's and NC's and such.(maybe you'll find your Tango Papa Mars Lander there)

Scratch building is just that,, lots of trial and error and research, and don't forget to SWING test before you fly. :wink: Most of the time I'm not trying to build the exact model, cause any/every rocket is cool to me.

In most of the plans/instructions they give you the part numbers, then I would go to Semroc which is now erockets (https://www.erockets.biz/parts-from-semroc/) and try to figure out what is needed for the model I'm building.

you might want to look here also https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/rp00.htm the DOM (design of the month) ones are really cool, its hard to find anyone flying them now a days.
you can make your own fin wraps and centering rings and things here https://www.payloadbay.com/page-Tools.html


Good luck Marty & Shawn
 
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