I want to clone the Scorpion #1333

[Starfire73]

I used to have the Estes Scorpion, #1333 (see link below). It's the two-stager model, not the single stage starter Scorpion. It was produced from 1980 - 1988.

I was looking for it on eBay, and it went for $53. $53? I don't think so... I want to build it and launch it, not leave it in a bag in my closet!

Anyway. I have been unable to find plans, decal scans, etc. I've checked JimZ and Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe, nobody has anything.

Does anyone have this kit scanned, or know where I can find scans of the plans and decals? I realize the original had plastic fin cans, so I would need fin dimensions and placement as well.

https://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/rockets/catalogs/estes80/80est20.html

Thanks!

 

[TeenRocketNerd]

uh, rocketking? can you help him out?

 

[n3tjm]

Want a clone? Buy an Estes Mongoose. The scorpion was my first two stage rocket. Decal scans are also on one of the old rocket websites.

(Note, replace the junk body tube that comes with the mongoose with a real BT-50. Also, the booster internals verry a bit. I modded my mongoose to be like the Scorpion's.

 

[gpoehlein]

Well, I don't have the plans, but I can get you pretty close on the major components:

Nose Cone is PNC-50YR (go for a nose cone pack - it'll be cheaper than kitbashing a rocket for the nose cone and Estes usually packs 3 of these in the PNC-50 nose cone pack).

Sustainer Body Tube is BT-50 (18")

Booster Body Tube is BT-50AE (1.5")

Motor Mount tubes (2 of them) are BT-20J (2.75")

It looks like the fin units are the same as the ones from the Skywriter - just buy two and throw the rest of the parts in the spare parts box.

Sorry, tho - I can't help you on the decals if you want it to look exactly like the Scorpion.

Greg

 

[Meatball 1]

The 2-stage Scorpion was one of my favorites from growing up. I finally lost the upperstage a few years ago (up until then, I only had three rockets leftover from childhood--the Scorpion, the Nova Scout Ship, and the Space Shuttle Columbia).

I can scan or copy the old plans for you if you'd like, but I don't have any decal information. I wish I could find a scan of them so I could rebuild it.

BTW, the paint separation line on the upperstage is 7" forward of the front of the plastic fin unit (even with the rear of the fwd launch lug).

 

[Meatball 1]

Hmmm...

I just noticed when glancing over the old Scorpion plans that the exploded drawing page has a "reduced" B&W version of the decal sheet. And the same page has the name in it's proper font (probably larger than the actual decal, however) for a header.

I guess I should do some scanning tonight or tomorrow evening. I think if I can figure out the size of the mini decals, the other details can be figured out well enough from the photos.

 

[Starfire73]

Originally posted by Meatball 1
I can scan or copy the old plans for you if you'd like, but I don't have any decal information. I wish I could find a scan of them so I could rebuild it.

Yes, I'd like a copy of the plans if you could. Can you scan the header card as well?

Somebody, somewhere must have the decal scans... we'll just have to keep looking.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Starfire73]

Originally posted by Meatball 1
I guess I should do some scanning tonight or tomorrow evening. I think if I can figure out the size of the mini decals, the other details can be figured out well enough from the photos.

Great... anything will help.

 

[Meatball 1]

The header card might be at my mom's house under my brother's old bed. I'll see about scanning it (I'll probably have to splice it together).

I'll see about scanning everything in the same format as on rocketshoppe.com.

 

[Meatball 1]

Looks like someone's ahead of us on the decals... but nothing posted to the site, yet.

Check out the last two pages of this thread in the Old Rocketshoppe forum:

https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=828&page=5&pp=10&highlight=scorpion+decals

 

[rocketking]

Sorry, but I missed this thread, and my name taken in vain...

I have the PFU-50's in the collection if you need. Any of the many 'E' quick & easy kits through the years have used them.

The decals are the toughest. I'd get Astronboy (Phred) or Tom at "Tango Papa" to do the decals for you, due to the white in the image.

Good luck with the build.

 

[Meatball 1]

The instructions list the fin units as PRP-1G, not that that really matters if they're the same as PFU-50.

 

[rocketking]

I just used the 'generic' designation- Plastic Fin Unit for (BT)-50. As for 'E's P/n's, who can figure out that jumble anymore!

Send me a PM if you are looking for the fin units, Nose cone, whatever!

 

[Fore Check]

I have one of these Scorpion kits in the bag if I can be of service with scans.

It is also my understanding that if you pick up one of the more recent Estes Mongoose kits and finish it with the Scorpion colors and decals, you will have a nice clone.

 

[Meatball 1]

Here are the instruction scans at 300dpi, but in GIF format to preserve space... Sorry about the messed up text on page one.

https://www.meatballrocketry.com/oop/page1.gif
https://www.meatballrocketry.com/oop/page2.gif
https://www.meatballrocketry.com/oop/page3.gif
https://www.meatballrocketry.com/oop/page4.gif

And a 600 dpi scan of the decal silhouette from page 1. Keep in mind, I don't have any size reference for this:

https://www.meatballrocketry.com/oop/decalsbw.gif

I hope these will be of use to someone... and I hope we see a scan of the actual decal on the Old Rocket Shoppe site sooner than later.