Star Wars Proton Torpedo

Hi All,

I'd like to take a trip down memory lane and build a clone of the Star Wars Proton Torpedo, as it was the first rocket I ever had.

Can anyone tell me if the Estes E2X Generic is the same airframe? It appears to be from photos, but I've never seen one in real life so I'm not 100% sure...

Also, does anyone know if the decals are reproduced anywhere? I've looked in all the obvious places but I haven't had any luck.

Thanks for your help,

Doug

Don't you have the parts list???? If so then just buy the parts.

Lucky 94 said:

Don't you have the parts list???? If so then just buy the parts.

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The problem is that it was sold as a "starter kit", like its sibling the Challenger-1. If you look in the 1979 Estes catalog you'll find both of them. No dimensional references are given.

They're not on JimZ's site either.

If you're looking to clone it from an existing kit, I'd look to the Eliminator. It appears to be based on the BT-56, and it's the only E2X (for practical purposes) kit whose fins are trapezoidal; all the other Estes E2X rockets have swept fins. The nose cone isn't pointed on the end, but a plastic ogive NC-56 from Estes (like the one from the Bull Pup) would get you close.

And, Welcome to TRF, Doug!

The Proton Torpedo appears to be the same as the Challenger-I, Kadet, E2X Generic, etc. I think these are all the same, except maybe body tube lengths and recovery system (e.g., Kadet used a streamer, while the Challenger-I and Proton Torpedo used a 12" 'chute).

The Eliminator is probably roughly the same thing as the Challenger-II and Maniac (and perhaps others). (D/E-powered kits)

space_bus said:

The Proton Torpedo appears to be the same as the Challenger-I, Kadet, E2X Generic, etc. I think these are all the same, except maybe body tube lengths and recovery system (e.g., Kadet used a streamer, while the Challenger-I and Proton Torpedo used a 12" 'chute).

The Eliminator is probably roughly the same thing as the Challenger-II and Maniac (and perhaps others). (D/E-powered kits)

Click to expand...

The fin can is more or less the same, but not exactly. The old Challenger-1, Star Trek, etc. cans (and I think Proton Torpedo fin can will be the same) had a slight diamond airfoil, where the modern E2X Generic fin can has a wedge shaped airfoil. If you don't tell anybody, they probably will never notice.

As for the Eliminator, like mentioned above, it is a larger rocket and has the same fin can as the Challenger II and Maniac. These rockets are rebadged versions (different decals and overall lengths) of the Centuri Phoenix Bird from the mid 70's. Phoenix Bird Link

Here it goes; The easiest thing and the cheapest is to buy one of these off ebay. https://cgi.ebay.com/Estes-AMERICA-...oryZ2567QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The generic education pack rocket will work, you just have to paint the fins black and buy the PNC-50YR nose cone and paint it black. The body tube is the same as in the Proton Torpedo. The orig. fin can is different then the current version as you can tell from my picture. The nose was a 2 piece but is real close to the current PNC-50YR. The nice thing about the America model is that the fins and nose come black. I drew the decals in Coreldraw 3X. So I can send that to you in PDF. You then have to go down to office depot and buy large label paper. This is the white sticky paper the back that peels off. Print the decal out on this and stick it on the rocket.

The rocket in the middle is the Proton Torpedo.


Notice how the Proton Torpedo has diamond shaped fins vs the new swept back fins. Same size and looks close enough for cloning.

My collection

Thanks everyone for your quick replies - just what I was looking for. This forum is great! And thank you CSIGS30 for the detailed photos and offer of the pdf, they really clear things up (I sent you a PM with my email address).

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I'm finished this project!

All the best,

Doug

Oh my, an R2D2 rocket. :lol:

The 2-staged Estes Mongoose uses similar parts to the original Proton Torpedo... The fin unit is slightly different in how it mounts, but the shape and size is almost the same.

Hi All,

Okay, my Proton Torpedo is finished.

I went down to my local hobby store and got a No. 2 Skywriter, and used one of tubes and the fin can, which is very similar to the original. I also picked up a PNC-50YR nose cone to top things off.

Funny how memory can play tricks on you - when I looked at the BT-50 tube I thought, "This can't be right, I remember this thing being MUCH bigger!". Of course, I was eleven years old when I got the starter kit so I guess the reality was that I was much smaller back then!

Thank you everyone for your help and especially SCIGS30 for supplying me with the PDF of the decals. All I have to do is clear coat her and she'll be ready to fly!

All the best,

Doug

Looks great. Here is one on Ebay right now. https://cgi.ebay.com/1977-STAR-WARS...oryZ2567QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Use the Force (or the Schwartz)

For nostalgia's sake, here is my Proton Torpedo clone. Built and launched in 1999!

KSoldier's Star Wars: Proton Torpedo Clone

Greetings, all. One more that is looking to replicate the PT (and get back into rocketry in general), as it was my first rocket as well. Is the decal still available from anyone here, as well as any more tips regarding reference supplies/rockets or anything? Thanks!

This was my very first rocket I ever built back in the 70’s. I have one unbuilt in the box, but I’ve always wanted clone it.

The rocket itself is super easy to clone. It’s the Estes Generic, which is easy to find. As for the decal, it was actually one big sticker (body wrap) and stickers for the fins. It’s not hard to print out on a sheet of self adhesive label paper. The tricky part is the color. It’s not pink. It’s FLUORESCENT pink. So, you might have to have that custom printed. I don’t know of any home printers that can print fluorescent, hence why I’ve never cloned it.

that difference in fin shape is too much for me and bugs my ocd. I couldn't fully believe and take it as a proton torpedo clone. I could tolerate the fins being trapezoidal but a little off size than the wrong shape.