Estes Doorknob to V2 Conversion?

[AUSTanker]

Crazy question here- I want to build the classic Estes V2, but even the latest version of the kit, from what, 2012, or so, is going for $80 on "Evil Bay."

The recent Estes Doorknob seems like a good modern kit, and vaguely resembles a V2/A4.

Would it be possible to swap out the nose, tail piece, and fins, the body tube if needed, keep the guts of it, and end up with decent, up to date V2? Or would it end up costing me more than $80 for the kit on "Evil Bay?"

I've been looking at the plans of the old classic Estes V2s going back to the 1960s, so I think it would be neat to "build a better V2" and incorporate some modern techniques and improvements that you might suggest; newer parts; plastic instead of balsa, etc., etc.

BTW, my background is in scale models, so I enjoy backdating plastic kits, scratch building extra details, "kitbashing" and converting different kits of the same tank or plane to get a more accurate scale model, etc., so I wonder if this is applicable to model rockets?

Also, since the old Estes V2 instructions have all the part numbers, could I just buy the parts needed to build a decent V2 one at a time, or would it cost me more than the $80 highway robbery being charged on e Bay?

Looking forward to your suggestions!

Best, Christian

 

[SolarYellow]

https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes-9720-pro-series-doorknob-model-rocket-kithttps://www.acsupplyco.com/estes-big-daddy-model-rocket
You'll need two kits because two nose cones; Estes doesn't sell the nose cone separately. Frankly, I'd just get two Doorknob kits, as it includes much better parts and is much better value for money. You'll need to slot one of the cones to be a tail cone, but that's doable with care. Haven't seen this done yet, but it should be a cool project. It's been on my list in BT-80 for awhile because those cones are ~$5 each and tubing is cheap. Sim it up in OpenRocket before building to ensure stability, etc.

 

[Scott_650]

After finishing and flying my Estes #3228 V-2 I started planning on doing a 3” V-2. Instead of using a Doorknob or Big Daddy I’m going to buy the parts from Balsa Machining Service - I like the nose cone profile of the BMS PNC-300K bit better than the Estes cone - but the process is the same. Since I’ll be making my own rings (and already have plenty of recovery gear on hand) I don’t need a kit but that’s a choice - nothing wrong with doing some kitbashing. The fun part will be converting the nose cone into a tail cone, here’s some references I’ve found:

https://www.rocketreviews.com/estes---big-bad-v-2-daddy.html


And here’s some great general V-2 references that also have links pages with even more stuff on the V-2:

http://www.v2rocket.com/
http://www.postwarv2.com/

 

[ShadowSpire48]

In the long run, it's cheaper to get this and a BT80 & 29mm tube, plus it's a lot more accurate and nicer to look at. https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/products/v-2-rocket-builders-kit

 

[Scott_650]

In the long run, it's cheaper to get this and a BT80 & 29mm tube, plus it's a lot more accurate and nicer to look at. https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/products/v-2-rocket-builders-kit

Or the Space Monkey kit

https://spacemonkey-models.myshopify.com/pages/1-24-scale-v-2-model
Or the ASP kit

https://www.asp-rocketry.com/ecomme...m-Version-.cfm?item_id=623&parent=8&navPanel=
But I’m still going to scratch up a 3” diameter version with my parts from BMS

 

[86mustang408w]

You could buy the Doorknob or Big Daddy kit. You could also take a 3" nosecone and make that V2 tail section, then scratch build the rest.

 

[bjphoenix]

The nose cones are available separately so buy one kit and buy a nose cone.
Buying a kit you get cones, tubes, fins, launch lugs, parachute, motor mount, ... if you already have those parts you don't need to buy a kit, you just need some cones and a tube. That's usually what I do these days so it boils down to what size rocket you want to create.
I built a V2 many years ago using an Estes Silver Comet kit, maybe a little smaller than what you are thinking about and I don't know if a Silver Comet is any more available. Mine flies well in a D12-3 and I still fly it occasionally. If you're posting this in the MPR subforum maybe you should consider buying 4" LOC parts and building a big one.

 

[BEC]

The nose cones are available separately so buy one kit and buy a nose cone.
Buying a kit you get cones, tubes, fins, launch lugs, parachute, motor mount, ... if you already have those parts you don't need to buy a kit, you just need some cones and a tube. That's usually what I do these days so it boils down to what size rocket you want to create.
I built a V2 many years ago using an Estes Silver Comet kit, maybe a little smaller than what you are thinking about and I don't know if a Silver Comet is any more available. Mine flies well in a D12-3 and I still fly it occasionally. If you're posting this in the MPR subforum maybe you should consider buying 4" LOC parts and building a big one.

Silver Comet is long gone. It was the only kit that used that nose cone with the cockpit windows on it, though Frank Burke found a stash of them and used them for some of his rocket-boosted RC gliders....

The tail cone, of course, was common with the BT-80-based V-2.

 

[bjphoenix]

Silver Comet is long gone. It was the only kit that used that nose cone with the cockpit windows on it

(My V2 still has the cockpit windows.)

 

[BEC]

(My V2 still has the cockpit windows.)

 

[bjphoenix]

In this paint scheme they aren't overly noticeable.

 

[techrat]

I recommend the Space Monkey plastic kit and then modify it to be fly-able. There's plenty of documentation on the internet for that build.

 

[GusGrissom]

Funny, I also had the same idea as the OP of wanting to use an Estes Doorknob to have a V2 "type" looking rocket. On the left is my best go at an Estes Doorknob with a V2 "type" paint scheme. With an F engine, that rocket flew really, really high. I didn't make any modifications, just built the Doorknob and painted it.