Found Estes 3" Doorknob Nosecone

[John Kemker]

I have all the rest of the parts on their way for a 3" Alpha. Just need a Doorknob nosecone.

 

[jhill9693]

Here are the files to print one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6384202

 

[John Kemker]

Here are the files to print one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6384202

Thanks. I'd like to try to get one before trying to print it. I'd probably use PETG if I did print it.

 

[Lawndart]

You can get one directly from Estes.

 

[John Kemker]

You can get one directly from Estes.

Waiting on the website to respond. Running sloooow...

 

[pugachu]

I have all the rest of the parts on their way for a 3" Alpha. Just need a Doorknob nosecone.

I fiberglassed a standard Alpha, and flew it on 24mm F's... the 3" version should do well on 75mm M's

 

[SolarYellow]

You can get one directly from Estes.

I believe they do not sell that nose cone as a stand-alone item. It's not listed on the site, and I'm pretty sure someone once asked CS and was denied. Cheapest source is a Big Daddy, but the Doorknob kit comes with enough better other content to generally be a better deal if kitbashing.

BMS has their version, but it's longer and heavier.

 

[bad_idea]

I fiberglassed a standard Alpha, and flew it on 24mm F's... the 3" version should do well on 75mm M's

Sadly Estes 3" tubing is 3" OD, not 3" ID like high power tubing, so an Alpha built on Estes 3" parts cannot accommodate a 75mm motor.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

I made mine from the GM kit but used the Big Daddy NC like shown in the photo (ala Duffy).

https://galacticmanufacturing.com/products/3-diameter-estes-alpha-upscale-parts-kit

It’s lawn darted several times and is 3in shorter so far. The NC has survived so far.

 

[John Kemker]

I fiberglassed a standard Alpha, and flew it on 24mm F's... the 3" version should do well on 75mm M's

I have plenty of 3" Soller Composites fiberglass sleeve...

As others have noted, Estes does not sell it separately on their website. I'm considering buying a BD for the NC. Maybe even a Doorknob.

 

[kjhambrick]

BMS sells two 3-inch nose cones for their T-300 airframe: an 11-inch ogive and a 4.3-inch elliptical.

Their T-300 tube is 3.00 inch OD / 2.93 inch ID.

The 11-inch ogive is a real beauty !

I wonder if either of those would fit your tube and your model ?

-- kjh

EDIT: oops ! what @SolarYellow said !

 

[gvasiloff]

Where did you get the fins for a 3" Alpha? Thought about doing one myself. I have a BT-80 3x24mm cluster version and love it. Would like to do a 3" single 29mm version.

 

[SolarYellow]

I made mine from the GM kit but used the Big Daddy NC like shown in the photo (ala Duffy).

https://galacticmanufacturing.com/products/3-diameter-estes-alpha-upscale-parts-kit

It’s lawn darted several times and is 3in shorter so far. The NC has survived so far.

I thought GM had ceased operations several months ago. When did they open back up?

 

[John Kemker]

Where did you get the fins for a 3" Alpha? Thought about doing one myself. I have a BT-80 3x24mm cluster version and love it. Would like to do a 3" single 29mm version.

I belatedly realized I should have asked Galactic Mfg. to make it a 38mm motor mount option, as I would love to fly it with Loki G70s.

 

[RokitFlyr]

Just open up the CR, add a 38mm tube, trim the fin tabs, and good to go!

 

[John Kemker]

Just open up the CR, add a 38mm tube, trim the fin tabs, and good to go!

Eh, maybe, maybe not. I'd rather buy some 38mm CRs and trim the tabs. Trying to ensure I'm on-center when enlarging rings from 29mm to 38mm is a bit iffy.

 

[John Kemker]

BMS sells two 3-inch nose cones for their T-300 airframe: an 11-inch ogive and a 4.3-inch elliptical.

Their T-300 tube is 3.00 inch OD / 2.93 inch ID.

The 11-inch ogive is a real beauty !

I wonder if either of those would fit your tube and your model ?

-- kjh

EDIT: oops ! what @SolarYellow said !

Just pulled the trigger on the PNC300 from BMS.

 

[Lawndart]

I have plenty of 3" Soller Composites fiberglass sleeve...

As others have noted, Estes does not sell it separately on their website. I'm considering buying a BD for the NC. Maybe even a Doorknob.

Got one going through customer service a few months ago.

 

[John Kemker]

Got one going through customer service a few months ago.

Got one coming.

 

[MarkB.]

Behold: A 3" Alpha using the BMS cone. Through-the-wall fins with 1/8" ply core and 3/32" balsa skins for 29mm power. Nose cone since painted red.

A second cone is slated for an Up-Rated Alpha from Estes TR-11 tech report that will require carbon fiber fin skins.

 

[SolarYellow]

 

[John Kemker]

View attachment 643404

Meh. I'll go with what I've ordered.

I need to mark this "FOUND."

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Behold: A 3" Alpha using the BMS cone. Through-the-wall fins with 1/8" ply core and 3/32" balsa skins for 29mm power. Nose cone since painted red.

A second cone is slated for an Up-Rated Alpha from Estes TR-11 tech report that will require carbon fiber fin skins.



View attachment 643402

That's a nice non-V2 rocket.