Mini Engine Staged Rocket Kits?

[brockrwood]

I have some A10-0T (booster) engines in my inventory I want to use in a staged model rocket. I could scratch build a rocket to use them but I would rather start with a kit. I have never built a mini-engine (13mm) staged rocket.

I saw the Estes Mini Comanche 3 kit on a few rocket vendors' websites. Are there any other mini-engine powered, staged rocket kits I should consider?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kuririn]

Estes Twin Factor
Fliskits Trifecta

 

[mikewrt]

Estes Checkmate

https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes-mo...l-1-intermediate/estes-checkmate-model-rocket

 

[BEC]

+1 on on the Checkmate. I LOVE it. I’ve worn out one (just under 50 flights, done in by a second stage that didn’t light over a very hard surface) and a second one that is somewhat well-used, with over 25 flights on it.

Consistently ~650 feet on A10-0T to A3-4T combo which is high enough to look really impressive with such a small model and it’s light enough that that little streamer assures a soft-enough landing. As usual the Estes ad copy max altitude estimate is rather optimistic….

John Boren told me yesterday (we were visiting at NSL) that he actually designed 5 little two-stagers (or was it six?) but only the Checkmate got approved for production. So if you want more, let Estes know!



The Twin Factor is an interesting little model, and being saucer-like is great for small fields.

 

[kuririn]

One more: Apogee Midge.
Can be built and flown for NAR Payload Altitude competition.
Or just for fun.
Midge Payload Altitude Rocket (apogeerockets.com)

 

[Scott_650]

My Estes Astron Elliptic is a great flyer - definitely a streamer recovery rocket. It’s OOP but should be easy to clone http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/est2447.htm

Another thumbs up for the Twin Factor - lots of fun to fly, plenty of smoke from those little boosters but not a lot of altitude.

 

[mikeyd]

Semroc Midget (clone of original k-40 midget, with adapters from 18mm "short" engines to 13mm, or clone the estes TK-40 (redesigned Estes Midget for mini engines.)Midget (spacemodeling.org) or even the Estes Beta Beta (spacemodeling.org) or Cobra http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/est0898.htm

 

[kuririn]

Semroc Midget (clone of original k-40 midget, with adapters from 18mm "short" engines to 13mm

Well, if we're mentioning cloning out of production models then don't forget the Semroc/Centuri Firefly.
The paper engine casing adapters are no longer available but you can cut and ream out a spent 18mm casing.
ka-6.pdf (spacemodeling.org)
f5664b6e08104ac6.pdf (insanerocketry.com)


As mentioned, they are great fun on a small field.

 

[dbrent]

Clone an Estes "Beta"

 

[dpower]

The Mini-Comanche 3 is a really fun flier, and it doesn’t go crazy high, as it’s fairly heavy with 3 motors.

My favorite is the Centuri FireFly, Semroc has laser cut fins and all the other bits to clone it.