Estes Maxi-brute V 2.

[rharshberger]

Ah, good idea with the BT20.
So we need nose cones. direct from Estes? I don't see NC-80K's on Amazon..

PNC-80K is the NC and iirc they are available from Estes, and maybe Apogee.

 

[bad_idea]

Estes has them, but they don't have them linked from their nose cone menu for some strange reason:

NC-80K

 

[kuririn]

To the original question concerning mods to the BT-80 kit:
Yes, you could put in a larger 29 mm mount. The boat tail opening is wide enough to accommodate that. Probably would need to add a little more nose weight to balance the heavier 29 mm motors.
Yes you could replace the balsa fins with ply. I'm not aware of any upgrade kits for this smaller V2, but you can easily trace the balsa fins onto lite ply and cut them out. Again might have to add more nose weight for the heavier ply fins.
Pic (l to r) of the Estes BT-80 kit and my clone.

My clone flew on Thanksgiving weekend with a D12-3.
Nice straight flight, good recovery. No damage.


And just for the halibut:
Maxi Brute V2 clone.
Cut off nose cone for the boat tail, balsa fins, stock 24 mm motor mount.
Flew once on an E12.
Seemed underpowered.
Slow liftoff, veered slightly on ascent.
If I had to do it over I would throw in a 29 mm mount instead of the stock 24 mm.

Laters.

 

[Crimson Flames]

As an alternative to scratch building for those who don't want to go that route, Boyce Aerospace does a nice 3D printed version.

 

[SolarYellow]

And just for the halibut:
Maxi Brute V2 clone.
Cut off nose cone for the boat tail, balsa fins, stock 24 mm motor mount.
Flew once on an E12.
Seemed underpowered.
Slow liftoff, veered slightly on ascent.
If I had to do it over I would throw in a 29 mm mount instead of the stock 24 mm.
View attachment 554636
Laters.

Is that with the Mega Der Red Max nose cones? I understand original Maxi Brute parts to be near unobtanium.

 

[ep29030]

Balsa Machining sells both nose cones and tail cones for different sizes of V2 rockets. They have a BT-20, BT-50,BT55 and BT-60 set.

https://www.balsamachining.com/