Please help ID some old kits

Hi guys, I've been poking around on the Internet trying to figure something out. Sometime around 1979-82 I built a number of rocket kits as a young "tween", including two I can't remember the names of. I can't seem to find any info on what they might be. Maybe you can help.
Here are the particulars:

The first was a small tumble recovery type where the motor would blow back, the only thing I remember is it had four fins (I think) and it was necessary to glue metal washers on them towards the bottom end. I don't think it was a Scout. I also remember being a bit disappointed to discover the fact about the washers, as the illustration on the bag didn't show them and they looked a bit unattractive IMHO.

The second was a long, slender one, with a "cockpit canopy" molded into the nosecone. Instead of conventional fins, it had a large diameter ring made of a short section of body tube that you mounted concentric with the rocket body tube where the fins would otherwise be. I think it was supposed to be a spaceship of some sort.

I don't remember ever finishing these two, if I could find a retro kit or plans I might like to revisit them....

Does this ring any bells?

The first one is the Centuri LiL Herc. https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/79cen010.html Semroc made a reproduction of this kit(I have one) that has the washers etc. just like the original; but unfortunately they're going out of business and don't have it available anymore. I'm not sure about the second one. It is familiar but will have to research some more..

The first model might be the Centuri Lil' Herc,



That's the only model I made that had washers glued on the fins.
You're right, the washers weren't shown in the catalog or on the face card/

There were a number of ring-tailed kits that come to mind:

https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/77est032.html
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/81est040.html
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/81est038.html
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/89est40.html

If one of these turns out to me the one you had in mind, then go to Jim Z's site to see if there is a plan for it

Two come to mind for the ring fin/cockpit nose cone. 1. World Federation Star Probe and 2. Star Rider

Welp, looks like you guys nailed it. Lil' Herc and World Federation Star Probe.
Funny thing is, I was looking at that very page that has the Lil' Herc earlier. i guess I didn't see it because I was distracted by the Screaming Eagle, my first kit.

Nothing on Jim Z's site for item #1341, oh well I don't know where I would get the special nose cone. Suppose I could fab something but it wouldn't be the same.
So Semroc is going away? That sucks. Just as I was getting back into it too.

Thanks guys

world federation star probe:

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/estes/est1341/est1341.htm

hope you make them both and post some pics if you do

as it happens, JimZ's site isn't the only one that has scans of old kits...here are the plans etc. https://www.oldrocketplans.com/estes/est1341/est1341.htm
although finding a nose cone may be a challenge .
Rex

Re: nose cone
after a bit of looking found this in the archive; https://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=7876 instructions on how to make a replacement nose.
Rex

Nosecone is in the sci fi pack

https:// https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/accessories/003173-sci-fi-nose-cone-assortment-5-pk

5x7 said:

Nosecone is in the sci fi pack

https:// https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/accessories/003173-sci-fi-nose-cone-assortment-5-pk

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Excellent. This is the way to go.

Rex R said:

Re: nose cone
after a bit of looking found this in the archive; https://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=7876 instructions on how to make a replacement nose.
Rex

Click to expand...

Thanks for the links, that idea of using drop tanks for canopies is great.

Fun fact: when my father was a boy in late-war Germany, they would find drop tanks from the Allied fighters, cut them in half and use them as hulls for giant model boats.

The nose cone in the sci-fi pack is the Interceptor style cone which fits a BT55, not a BT50.

Blades said:

The nose cone in the sci-fi pack is the Interceptor style cone which fits a BT55, not a BT50.

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Are you looking at the nosecone with the larger canopy or the smaller?
According to the links posted by getaway and Rex R I am looking for part#PNC-50SP.

According to a fellow calling himself"Wallyum" on a review at this link:
https://www.hobbylinc.com/estes_model_rocket_sci-fi_nose_cone_bt-50_and_bt-55_assorted_shapes_3173
the Sci-fi Pack contains this # (as well as a cone for the Interceptor, which I assume is what you are refering to.)

Let me know if I am missing something.

thanks again guys

From the top left corner, Asteroid Hunter, BT50. Interceptor, BT55. Screaming Eagle, BT50. Xarconian Cruiser, BT55. Dark Energy, BT55. This is a nice assortment of cones, but the one you're talking about isn't there. The PNC50SP is available from Moldin' Oldies at Sirius Rocketry, although it is currently out of stock.

supersteve said:

...
Fun fact: when my father was a boy in late-war Germany, they would find drop tanks from the Allied fighters, cut them in half and use them as hulls for giant model boats.

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Wow, now there's a "lemons to lemonade" story. BTW I agree with Blades analysis of the Sci-fi parts pack. Not the PNC50-SP but the PNC50-E Screaming Eagle part.

<edit> found the parts list: https://www.jonrocket.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=778

I can say I am genuinely impressed with the knowledge level on this board.:clap:

My aplogies, the screaming eagle cone looked like the right one,

supersteve said:

I can say I am genuinely impressed with the knowledge level on this board.:clap:

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For my part, just happy hours spent studying the classics since becoming a BAR: Hansen (https://www.rocketshoppe.com/), Knudson (https://ninfinger.org/rockets/rockets.html), and Zalewski (https://www.spacemodeling.org/JimZ/index.htm)

And for Estes kits, the indispensable John Brohm:
https://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/Estes_Nose_Cone_Reference_10.1.pdf
and
https://www.rocketshoppe.com/info/Estes_Body_Tube_List_3.1.pdf

5x7 said:

My aplogies, the screaming eagle cone looked like the right one,

Click to expand...

They are very close. Close enough? You make the call!