Estes Advanced Target Drone, #1913

[EXPjawa]

I couldn't find a gallery already in existence for the Advanced Target Drone, sold by Estes from 1983 to 1985. Crappy image of the face card:



And PDF instructions from JimZ, if appropriate:

View attachment Advanced Target Drone 1913.pdf

 

[EXPjawa]

Here are my own ATD models. First, a near clone of the original (difference being balsa nose cone instead of plastic):


Second, an upscale to BT70 tubing, using decals from Excelsior. This model has additional 24mm mounts in the outer pods, so it can fly on 3x24mm if desired.

 

[TopRamen]

Very nice!

 

[EXPjawa]

I flew both models this weekend, the small one on a B6-4 and the big one on an Aerotech E20-4 single use motor. The little ATD suffered a very slight zipper; I'll probably have to trim a 1/4" off the end. The larger one had a clean flight, though a shroud line got tangled up over the chute. It inflated enough, however, to bring it down safely. There was a slight bend in the end of the tube, but nothing that can't be fixed. Big one in flight:

 

[EXPjawa]