iqsy59
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 939
- Reaction score
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When I began my first foray into model rocketry in the 90's, there were a small number of producers of scale kits who really caught my attention. I can remember spending hours on the Magnum Rockets webpage dreaming about building kits from Rocket R&D, Blackhawk R&D, Cosmodrome Rocketry, Cluster 'R', and Yank Enterprises to name a few. I can also remember Boyce Aerospace Hobbies. Their Mercury Redstone kits were the brass ring that I didn't dare to grasp until I had further honed my building skills.
When I returned to the hobby about 5 years ago, sadly, most of these vendors were long gone. Cosmodrome was still around and I quickly snatched up every kit Mike had available and eventually acquired at least one of every kit he has ever produced. LOC/Precision had taken the mantle of producing some of the product lines. But other than that, I had to turn to the used or collector marketplace to find the kits for which I had longed.
So with that background, I was very excited when I learned that Alex and Sheree Boyce were again making products for our hobby! I reached out to B.A.H. to learn more about their new products and received a very nice personal response to my inquiry. They are definitely back in this business for the right reasons...primarily for the community.
I had previously acquired 4" and 2.6" Neubauer Mercury Redstone kits which were the original Boyce designs. The flagship of the new Boyce product line is a 3D printed 4" Mercury Redstone capsule, so I was primarily interested in getting one to replace the molded urethane capsule that came with my Neubauer kit. However, I was thrilled to learn that with the purchase of the capsule, they also provided a full plan set to build the booster using readily available parts. My Neubauer kit could remain in its original packaging and I could still have an upgraded Boyce 4" Mercury Redstone!
Another product offering which interested me was a 3D printed "upgrade kit" for the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Fairing kit by SpaceX. The upgrade kit includes printed grid fins to replace the clear fins that come with the kit, along with very detailed printed landing legs to replace the foam legs. Lastly, I wanted to try one of their full-3D printed kits...primarily as a novelty, but also because they are producing some very interesting subjects that are not otherwise available in the market. I chose the 1/48 scale Thor-Able Pioneer.
My order was shipped the day after I placed my order and arrived just a couple of days later. The contents were packed with extreme care with each component thoroughly wrapped in bubble wrap and protected from anything the shipper could dish out. Each item came with well-written and detailed instructions.
First up, the 4" Mercury Redstone Capsule:
Let me say that the detail on this capsule is nothing short of amazing. Not even the molded plastic static model capsules that I have seen compare to the quality of this printed version. Want a window version instead of the portal? 3D Printed! I don't have to worry about flying with the escape tower because it's replaceable.
Next up, the Falcon 9 and Fairing Upgrade Kit:
I think these are going to be a great enhancement to the stock kit!
Finally, the Thor-Able Pioneer:
It comes with a 24mm motor mount. Pretty cool, huh?! This kit is really well designed and is very high quality. I only need to find a decal set for it. Worst case scenario, Mach 2 Models makes a plastic display model in 1/48 that I can purchase and scan the decals.
The bottom line: Boyce Aerospace Hobbies is filling a very interesting gap in the hobby using 3D printing technology to produce static and flying models, as well as parts and accessories. Custom work is definitely on the menu. Quality and service are as good as it gets. I encourage everyone to visit their site and if they have anything that interests you, welcome them back to the hobby with an order. You won't regret it!
Next up for me will be a 4" Juno 1 / Jupiter C capsule for one of my True Modeler's Rocket Kits, as well as a 2.6" version of their Mercury capsule. One of the great things about 3D printing is the ability to scale just about anything!
I will use this post to update my builds in the future, but it won't be right away. I have some other projects already on the bench. Please feel welcome to add your own experiences in the meantime.
Cheers,
Michael
When I returned to the hobby about 5 years ago, sadly, most of these vendors were long gone. Cosmodrome was still around and I quickly snatched up every kit Mike had available and eventually acquired at least one of every kit he has ever produced. LOC/Precision had taken the mantle of producing some of the product lines. But other than that, I had to turn to the used or collector marketplace to find the kits for which I had longed.
So with that background, I was very excited when I learned that Alex and Sheree Boyce were again making products for our hobby! I reached out to B.A.H. to learn more about their new products and received a very nice personal response to my inquiry. They are definitely back in this business for the right reasons...primarily for the community.
I had previously acquired 4" and 2.6" Neubauer Mercury Redstone kits which were the original Boyce designs. The flagship of the new Boyce product line is a 3D printed 4" Mercury Redstone capsule, so I was primarily interested in getting one to replace the molded urethane capsule that came with my Neubauer kit. However, I was thrilled to learn that with the purchase of the capsule, they also provided a full plan set to build the booster using readily available parts. My Neubauer kit could remain in its original packaging and I could still have an upgraded Boyce 4" Mercury Redstone!
Another product offering which interested me was a 3D printed "upgrade kit" for the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Fairing kit by SpaceX. The upgrade kit includes printed grid fins to replace the clear fins that come with the kit, along with very detailed printed landing legs to replace the foam legs. Lastly, I wanted to try one of their full-3D printed kits...primarily as a novelty, but also because they are producing some very interesting subjects that are not otherwise available in the market. I chose the 1/48 scale Thor-Able Pioneer.
My order was shipped the day after I placed my order and arrived just a couple of days later. The contents were packed with extreme care with each component thoroughly wrapped in bubble wrap and protected from anything the shipper could dish out. Each item came with well-written and detailed instructions.
First up, the 4" Mercury Redstone Capsule:
Let me say that the detail on this capsule is nothing short of amazing. Not even the molded plastic static model capsules that I have seen compare to the quality of this printed version. Want a window version instead of the portal? 3D Printed! I don't have to worry about flying with the escape tower because it's replaceable.
Next up, the Falcon 9 and Fairing Upgrade Kit:
I think these are going to be a great enhancement to the stock kit!
Finally, the Thor-Able Pioneer:
It comes with a 24mm motor mount. Pretty cool, huh?! This kit is really well designed and is very high quality. I only need to find a decal set for it. Worst case scenario, Mach 2 Models makes a plastic display model in 1/48 that I can purchase and scan the decals.
The bottom line: Boyce Aerospace Hobbies is filling a very interesting gap in the hobby using 3D printing technology to produce static and flying models, as well as parts and accessories. Custom work is definitely on the menu. Quality and service are as good as it gets. I encourage everyone to visit their site and if they have anything that interests you, welcome them back to the hobby with an order. You won't regret it!
Next up for me will be a 4" Juno 1 / Jupiter C capsule for one of my True Modeler's Rocket Kits, as well as a 2.6" version of their Mercury capsule. One of the great things about 3D printing is the ability to scale just about anything!
I will use this post to update my builds in the future, but it won't be right away. I have some other projects already on the bench. Please feel welcome to add your own experiences in the meantime.
Cheers,
Michael
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