I see lots of people here posting about the Doorknob, or at least it seems like lots. So I finally just jad to have a look at the catalog pictures, and it's just a 4FNC. What the deal with this kit? Why is it so popular? Should I get one?
Estes Doorknob
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Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
It's a biggish kit (Pro-series II Lite) with a 29mm mount that has historical significance.
Should you get one? Only if you want one
Should you get one? Only if you want one
When painted to scale paint job it is pretty. Just in general, folks really like the PS2 builder kits.
But yeah, it's 4FNC. Frankly, a *lot* of extremely popular rockets are just 3FNC or 4FNC, and are either popular because of their paint job (e.g. Red Max) or... other reasons. As soon as I find out what they are I'll let you know.
rharshberger
Well-Known Member
Actually most real sounding rockets are nothing more than 3FNC or 4FNC's, but the Doorknob was a pretty large sounding rocket.
Spitfire222
I only lawn-darted once
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It's also pretty much brand new, so it's rather natural for it to get a lot of attention.
o1d_dude
'I battle gravity'
@Big_Red_Daddy sells a plywood upgrade kit (fins, c-rings) on the Vander-burn website ($11-15).
I bought the Doorknob from Estes and the upgrade kit from Toby.
I bought the Doorknob from Estes and the upgrade kit from Toby.
GlenP
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Yes.
Yes you should. It’s an easy build. It’s not very expensive. You’ll never lose it in a cornfield. Your wife won’t mind.
Yes I will, and no she won't. My wife is terrific.
Mine too. She watched me building a rocket yesterday and said she needs a hobby like I do. She likes those wine and paint classes and has done one virtual session so far.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
I can answer that one, it was my first personal mid-power rocket, before I knew anything about vendors other than Estes. (and it was available in hobby lobby)
Boring rocket? Eh, about par for the course for most highpower rockets. But it has the sentimental factor
Boring rocket? I'm not sure there is such a thing. Some rockets are more not boring than others. There's nothing wrong with a 4FNC, it's only somewhat less not boring than rocket with something unusual about it.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Yeah boring is not quite right. Just my inability to comprehend the special quality of a model that many regarded as a must-have. Now if you want to talk about the beauty of the Goblin...
It'll be areal short conversation!
rharshberger
Well-Known Member
Yeah Nytrunner might be a DRM fan....that seems to be an ongoing "friendly" fued on FB....DRM vs Goblin which is better....I own bothIt'll be areal short conversation!
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Yeah Nytrunner might be a DRM fan....that seems to be an ongoing "friendly" fued on FB....DRM vs Goblin which is better....I own both
Lol, Absolutely not. The Goblin and Red Max are equally negligible here. I guess I fall in the Patriot-family camp when it comes to boring* 3/4FNCs
*and even then the PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE are kinda cool
Close enough to the same thing for me.
The same clunky funny looking fins, the same extra tall nose cones. Apart from the scale and the paint job, who could tell them apart?
The same clunky funny looking fins, the same extra tall nose cones. Apart from the scale and the paint job, who could tell them apart?
Uh oh, them's fightin' words.
(Not to me, I couldn't care less)
(Not to me, I couldn't care less)
One has 3 fins and the other has 4.
GlenP
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Another 4FNC that I always liked, the Centuri Magnum Hornet... 24mm power (with 18mm adapter included)
https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cen5341/cen5341.htmhttps://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri83/83cen4.htmlhttps://www.erockets.biz/semroc-flying-model-rocket-kit-magnum-hornet-kv-69/
This paint job on this Doorknob is somewhat reminiscent of the Bull Dog... which is more impressive when upscaled.
(maybe a good candidate for a kitbash of the DoorKnob? PS - I kitbashed a PSII-E2X Prowler into a Centuri Screaming Eagle, but I digress from my digression.)
https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/cen5354.htmhttps://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri83/83cen6.html
just your basic 8FNC, with a transition on the NC, and a boat tail, ... say what?
https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cen5341/cen5341.htmhttps://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri83/83cen4.htmlhttps://www.erockets.biz/semroc-flying-model-rocket-kit-magnum-hornet-kv-69/
This paint job on this Doorknob is somewhat reminiscent of the Bull Dog... which is more impressive when upscaled.
(maybe a good candidate for a kitbash of the DoorKnob? PS - I kitbashed a PSII-E2X Prowler into a Centuri Screaming Eagle, but I digress from my digression.)
https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/cen5354.htmhttps://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri83/83cen6.html
just your basic 8FNC, with a transition on the NC, and a boat tail, ... say what?
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rharshberger
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Cloned a Bulldog a few years back flys like a champ!
Spitfire222
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For the record, I don't see this observation. There doesn't appear to be more Doorknob talk than any other rocket, and I actually would have expected more discussion on it considering it's a new Pro Series kit. Definitely no more than the (hot take-->) completely overrated Der Red Max, Goblin, and Big Bertha.
Yeah, well, ok, details details.
o1d_dude
'I battle gravity'
It is happening in the various rocketry groups on the Book of Faces.For the record, I don't see this observation. There doesn't appear to be more Doorknob talk than any other rocket, and I actually would have expected more discussion on it considering it's a new Pro Series kit. Definitely no more than the (hot take-->) completely overrated Der Red Max, Goblin, and Big Bertha.
There’s a weird phenomenon when a rocket becomes boring to me, I put a C6 or D12 in and never see the rocket again. Weird...
That's not where I've seen it. I and the Book of Faces have no connection.
It just seems that I see it mentioned here at least once every couple of days. Maybe it's all the same one or two people posting about it a lot.
It just seems that I see it mentioned here at least once every couple of days. Maybe it's all the same one or two people posting about it a lot.
It'll be areal short conversation!
You’re right of course but only because jq added the picture worth 1000 words:
On the left, pure elegance. On the right, a bad cartoon.
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rharshberger
Well-Known Member
I do that on our western launch sites and still get them back, put a bigger chute in them on the other hand and the thermals will drop them many miles away...
Hopefully to be found by a youth who will be inspired...
