Estes Kadet (#1328) upscales

[mn-rocketry]

I've always had a soft spot for the Estes Kadet (kit #1328). It's just a simple rocket with plastic nose cone, plastic fin unit, and streamer recovery.
When I was 12 years old, it was the second model rocket that I built, but the first one that I launched. It ended up being my most flown rocket until it became too badly damaged and was retired in the 90s.

In 2010, I redrew the decals from a scan. I then painted up an Estes Generic E2X rocket and applied my recreated decals to create a "Kadet Klone". It's since flown 17 times on A, B, and C engines.

From the 1982 Estes catalog:


12-year-old me (1983) with my Kadet and Estes Bigfoot launcher - about to launch it from the front yard at our farm.

 

[mn-rocketry]

I had long intended to build some upscales of the Kadet, and, this spring, I finally decided to do it.

 

[mn-rocketry]

The left rocket is the original-sized (bt-50) "Kadet Klone" (Generic E2X) with 18mm motor mount. It flies on A, B, and C engines.

The center "Super" Kadet is upscaled to bt-60 with a plastic Estes nose cone, basswood fins, and 24mm motor mount. It's intended to fly on C11 and D12 engines.

The right "Ultra" Kadet is upscaled to bt-70 with a plastic Apogee nose cone, basswood fins, standard rail buttons, and 29mm motor mount with Estes retainer. It's intended to fly on E and F engines.

I made the customized decals and printed them to clear waterslide stock using a color laser printer.

I still need to weigh them and do some sims to choose engines and delays. I'm hoping that the weather will cooperate so that I get first flights on them later this month.

Next winter, I may build a bt-80 upscale. I suppose that will be a "Maxi" Kadet.

 

[Back_at_it]

Nice work. I've often considered building a 2" upscale of the Estes Challenger I. Basically the same rocket as the Kadet.

 

[mn-rocketry]

Thanks!

Yep. Kadet and Challenger were the same rocket. Differences (besides decals) were black vs orange plastic parts, and streamer vs parachute recovery.

 

[SolarYellow]

I like this, but I'd like it better if the nose cones were closer to matching in profile.

 

[mn-rocketry]

I like this, but I'd like it better if the nose cones were closer to matching in profile.

Best that I could come up with out of what's commercially available.

Turning custom nose cones out of wood or 3D printing custom plastic nose cones was out of scope for this project.
(And, for me, completely unnecessary for some fun sport upscales made solely for my own enjoyment.)

I went through the 30+ bt-60 size balsa and plastic nose cones in my parts bin. The one that I selected was closest in scaled-length and shape.
There are very few choices in available bt-70 size balsa or plastic nose cones. I liked the plastic cone from Apogee best (even though it's more slender), so that's what I used.

 

[Leo]

I've always had a soft spot for the Estes Kadet (kit #1328). It's just a simple rocket with plastic nose cone, plastic fin unit, and streamer recovery.
When I was 12 years old, it was the second model rocket that I built, but the first one that I launched. It ended up being my most flown rocket until it became too badly damaged and was retired in the 90s.
........

You are not alone.

Here is mine taken Fall 1982:

My documents state I built it in 3 hours.

I still have it to this day. Unfortunately, the body tube is no longer white.

 

[mn-rocketry]

The Super Kadet had a successful first flight today on a C11-3. The Ultra Kadet also had a successful first flight today on a Q-Jet E35-5W.

 

[mn-rocketry]

While tidying up my hobby room today, I rediscovered my original Kadet. This is the first rocket that I ever launched back in 1982.

 

[BMG22]

This thread gets me all up in the feels. The America from the early 90's is essentially the same rocket but with a shiny gold nosecone and a parachute. I actually found a later version on eBay last year and brought it home. The later version was more Saturn V inspired in decor.

What cone did you use for the BT-60 upscale?

 

[mn-rocketry]

What cone did you use for the BT-60 upscale?

It was a plastic Estes cone from my bin o' loose nose cones. It may have been from an Estes' bt-60 nose cone assortment pack or may have come from a kit that I parted-out. I'd have to measure it and look at it again to figure out if it corresponds to a particular classic nose cone letter designation.

 

[ebruce1361]

Just came across this thread, and it seems you and I had similar ideas! The first rocket I ever flew was the Navy missile in the Estes Missile Command starter set.



It's the same build as the Estes MK-109 Stingray, but with different decor and was built ready to fly. Presently, I'm gearing up to do a BT80 upscale build of it to get my level 1 high power cert with. Much like your story, this wasn't my first rocket to build, but my first to fly. One day, I'd like to do an upscale of my first build as well. That one was the X-Ray (not the classic version) that flew on 13mm motors.